Extended Major Overview

Description

The Medical Science - Microbiology & Immunology extended major will focus on mechanisms of health and human disease, providing students with the essential preclinical knowledge that will prepare them for a broad range of careers in health- and biomedical science-related fields. The Level 1 and 2 units focus on preclinical disciplines. These disciplines will be integrated within the two Level 3 Body Systems units which will have a strong focus on functional human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Communication and research skills for the health professional will be presented throughout the major, including aspects of Australian society and Aboriginal health. The structure of the Major provides for a broad, pre-clinical, pan-discipline education, while accommodating a single discipline focus.

Microbes are organisms too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope; thus microbiology is the study of microbes and the roles they play in health, disease, and the environment. Immunology is the science of how the body defends itself against such organisms. During the Microbiology and Immunology focus, students will gain a thorough grounding in the scientific basis of microbiology and its applications in the real world, and learn how microbiology can be applied in areas as diverse as medicine, brewing, food spoilage, control of environmental pollution and space science. Graduates in this major will be eligible for membership in the Australian Society of Microbiology (ASM), the national scientific and employment body of the profession.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. articulate a broad knowledge of the structure, function and physiology of the human body at a molecular, cellular, organ and body system level
  2. demonstrate an understanding of communicable and non-communicable disease processes and health interventions based on knowledge of human body functions and pharmacological principles
  3. communicate biomedical concepts and knowledge to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways
  4. evaluate and adopt research methodologies including research design and the analysis and interpretation of health and medical data
  5. demonstrate high level academic and interpersonal skills
  6. describe the fundamental divisions of the microbial world including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae and parasites
  7. describe the genetic and molecular biological processes involved in microbial life cycles, pathologic and environmental interactions
  8. describe initiation, perpetuation and resolution of infectious diseases
  9. describe the role of the innate and adaptive immune systems; (10) integrate and apply principles of microbiology and immunology to understanding a wide array of diseases; (11) describe the role of microbes and their ecology in environmental and industrial processes; and (12) acquire skills in methods relevant to microbiology and immunology including experimental design, data collection, analysis and interpretation, critical thinking skills, and integration of concepts.
Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Prerequisites

ATAR Chemistry or equivalent.

ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent.

Incompatibilities
None
Courses

Medical Science - Microbiology and Immunology can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

No study plans found for this major. Check your chosen course, see study plans or contact your student advising office for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2

Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year. Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED1001 Form and Function
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
or MJD-IMSCP Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
or MJD-EBMEG Biomedical Engineering
or MJD-PHMSC Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences
or MJD-DENTS Integrated Dental Sciences
S1 IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
Major(s) MJD-IMSCP Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
or MJD-DENTS Integrated Dental Sciences
or MJD-PHMSC Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences
or MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
Co-requisites
IMED1001 Form and Function
S2 IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1001 Form and Function (ID 5965)
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Co-requisites
Enrolment in
IMED1004 Health and Society (ID 5968)
S2 IMED1004 Health and Society
Prerequisites
IMED1001 Form and Function (ID 5965)
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Co-requisites
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication (ID 5967)
Bridging units

Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year.

Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50] or with permission
Incompatibility
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of 50 or greater] or Equivalent or higher

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED2001 Body Defences
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
and IMED1004 Health and Society
Co-requisites
IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
S1 IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Prerequisites
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
and IMED1004 Health and Society
Co-requisites
IMED2001 Body Defences
S2 IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies
Prerequisites
IMED2001 Body Defences (ID 5969)
and IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Co-requisites
IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
S2 IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
Prerequisites
IMED2001 Body Defences (ID 5969)
and IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Co-requisites
IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies (ID 5971)
Degree-specific major units

Microbiology and Immunology—take the following unit:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology
Prerequisites
Successful completion of SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell and any one Unit(s)
BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
or CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
or Successful completion of
IMED1001 Form and Function
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Incompatibility
for pre-2012 courses: MICR2204 Introductory Microbiology

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED3010 Human Body Systems 1
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies
and IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
and Enrolment in
MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
S2 IMED3020 Human Body Systems 2
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED3010 Human Body Systems 1
and Enrolment in
MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
Degree-specific major units

Microbiology and Immunology—take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 MICR3305 Immunobiology and Immune Diseases
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology
and MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology
or
PATH2210 Fundamentals of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
and PATH2220 Introduction to Human Disease
or
PATH2221 Principles of Human Disease
and PATH2222 Pathology of Body Systems
or
MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology
and IMED2001 Body Defences
Incompatibility
MICR3340 Infections and Immunity
and PATH3307 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine I.
S2 MICR3310 Microbial Ecology and One Health
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology
and MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology
or
MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology
and IMED2001 Body Defences
S2 MICR3320 Viruses and Viral Disease
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology
and MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology
or
MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology
and IMED2001 Body Defences
Incompatibility
MICR3302 Infection and Immunity
S1 MICR3330 Bacteria and Bacterial Disease
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology
and MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology
or
MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology
and IMED2001 Body Defences
Incompatibility
MICR3302 Infections and Immunity