Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit describes the importance of microbes in human and animal ecosystems, and in nature. The unit presents concepts and principles in microbial ecology including the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, microorganisms at the interface between animals and humans, endemic and epidemic disease. The roles of infectious disease surveillance, interventions to prevent infectious disease transmission and probiotic interventions are considered. Key ecological roles of microbes including in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, interactions with biota and the physicochemical environment, and their consequences (beneficial and detrimental) for human activities are investigated. In addition to expanding their breadth of knowledge of microbiology, students will develop analytical skills for interpreting microbial datasets, and practical laboratory skills.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 QEII Medical Centre On-campus -
The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.
- Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 core unit in the Microbiology and Immunology major sequence
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe the ecological roles and activities of microbes in the natural environment, the human host, animal reservoirs and at the human-animal interface; (2) explain the principles and appropriate use of a range of environmental microbiology techniques including water quality analysis, the effects of environmental variables on microbial activity, biogeochemical cycling and the application of microbes to pollution remediation; (3) communicate scientific findings using group and individual scientific writing activities; and (4) analyse microbial genomic and surveillance datasets, and scientific publications.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tests; (2) group assignment; and (3) assignments. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Kate Hammer
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion of or
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week
workshops/laboratory sessions: 2–3 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.