MIC3041 - Medical microbiology - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit




Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor John Boyce


Associate Professor John Boyce

Unit guides



  • First semester 2019 (On-campus)


BMS2052 or MIC2022




In this unit, aspects of microbiology are presented which are relevant to infectious diseases. It builds on the content of previous subjects providing a basis of the study of medical microbiology, especially the nature of microbial infections of different body systems, immunity and mechanisms of host resistance, vaccines and the mode of action of antibiotics and how microbes become resistant to them.


On completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Describe medically important micro-organisms that cause disease in human and animal hosts;
  2. Describe the micro-organisms that cause infections in different body systems such as skin; respiratory tract; gastrointestinal tract; genitourinary tract and the cardiovascular system.
  3. Compare and contrast the microbial pathogenesis, transmission, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of different infections;
  4. Explain the host response to infection, mechanisms of host resistance and; describe the principles of antimicrobial action and how microbes become resistant to them;

  5. Demonstrate the ability to execute laboratory experiments relevant to advanced medical microbiology, including culturing of micro-organism, microscopy and advanced diagnostic methods used to identify microbial pathogens;
  6. Communicate experimental results through the writing of scientific reports and oral presentations.


Mid-semester test: 15%

Theory examination (3 hours): 45% (Hurdle)

In-semester assessment tasks: 40% (Hurdle)

This unit is subject to the Hurdle and Threshold Standards policiesHurdle and Threshold Standards policies (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/policies/assessment-policy-2017.html) of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences.

Workload requirements

A total of 12 hours per week including up to 6 hours of directed learning (such as lectures, practicals and workshops) and 6 hours of private study.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study