2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MICR3201 Advanced Topics in Microbiology 1

20 creditsClass Size: 110

Module manager: Dr Glyn Hemsworth
Email: G.R.Hemsworth@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of year two of an undergraduate programme in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, or equivalent.

Module replaces

MICR3120

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Microbial research is of the utmost importance as we seek a more sustainable means of living and adapt to a world in which antibiotic resistance and emerging infections cause significant problems. In this module, we will delve into the world of microbial research, guiding you through current and ongoing hot topics in this area allowing you to see how research is done and exploring concepts in depth like you haven’t done before.

Objectives

This module will provide learners enrolled on the Microbiology and Biological Sciences (Infection/Disease theme) programmes the opportunity to advance their understanding of key cutting edge topics from microbiology, going beyond the knowledge they will have acquired at levels 1 and 2. The aim is to provide learners with an opportunity to learn more deeply about microbes whilst also allowing them to see how research progresses our understanding of microbial life and how that knowledge can be harnessed. Learners should also build on their ability to critically analyse data presented in papers and draw appropriate conclusions from such data.

Teaching on the module will be split into 5 key topical areas in which students will receive 6 in-person lectures from experts in their fields. Lecturers will focus on setting out the core content that learners should understand, and learners are expected to build upon this through either directed or self-directed learning around the subject. As part of the directed learning activities, learners will be provided with data analysis problems which will build on their learning from the lectures and allow them to apply their knowledge to a research question.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Explain the current state of the art as relates to key topical areas from the field of microbiology.
2. Identify knowledge gaps and propose research strategies towards addressing open questions in the field.
3. Critically analyse and draw conclusions from data derived from techniques commonly used in microbiological research.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
4. (Academic/Work-ready) Gather information from a variety of sources and synthesise and critique it in written form for a specified audience.
5. (Work ready) Explain and evaluate how challenge-led research can contribute to developing sustainable solutions to global problems.

Syllabus

Advanced Topics in Microbiology 1 will be split into 5 topics with each topic comprising of 6 lectures. The specific topics have not yet been determined. Of the topics available from the current ATUs in 2023/24, 5 topics selected from the following are likely a good fit to the module:
1. World of Viruses
2. Respiratory Infections
3. Antibiotic Action & Resistance
4. Human-Microbe Interactions
5. Streptomyces; the Antibiotic Makers
6. Exploiting the RNA World
7. Emerging Infections

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	32	1.00	32.00
Private study hours			168.00
Total Contact hours			32.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

To ensure students have opportunities to receive formative feedback:
• Lecturers may choose to use active-learning components during their lectures to help students assess their level of understanding.
• Students will be provided with formative data analysis questions for each topic and will be able to self-assess their answers following release of model answers.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Learners will write an essay on one of two topics, allowing learners to demonstrate an application of subject knowledge.	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Open Book exam	3 hr	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 07/08/2024

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