BIO2200 Medical Microbiology and Immunological Diagnostics Course description

Medical microbiology deals with all types of microorganisms that can cause infection in humans. Microbiology laboratories contribute to ensuring that patients are quickly given a reliable diagnosis and the right treatment in the event of infectious diseases.

Medical immunology deals with immunological diseases. Immunological laboratories contribute to quick and reliable diagnosis and correct treatment of patients who have this type of disease.

Basic knowledge of medical microbiology and immunology are important because medical laboratory technicians are responsible for conducting and quality assuring the analyses and determination methods used in this type of laboratory. The course emphasises determining and identifying microorganisms and determining the sensitivity/resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. It also covers how diseases arise and how certain immunological diseases can be determined using antigen-antibody reactions.

The course consists of the following subject areas, specified below as the number of credits:

• Medical Microbiology 8,5
• Medical immunology 1,5
• Total 10

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• describing relevant theory and principles behind a selection of analyses
• explaining the connection between analysis results, disease mechanisms and disease progression
• defining relevant quality concepts

Skills

The student is capable of

• assessing the quality of analysis based on defined quality concepts
• using relevant instruments and techniques under supervision
• planning and using selected methods of analysis and assessing their reliability
• performing micro-examination of cell and tissue specimens with a certain degree of independence

General competence

The student is capable of

• demonstrating responsibility in analytical work
• taking responsibility for his or her own and fellow students- learning

Teaching methods mainly comprise practical laboratory work and micro-examination. Relevant theory is linked to practice through lectures, individual assignments and various forms of group assignments in addition to self-study. The student-s portfolio is an important learning tool in the course. Students give each other feedback on some of the written assignments.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• a minimum of 90% attendance in laboratory work
• a minimum of 80% attendance in scheduled group work
• laboratory reports in accordance with specified criteria

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Individual oral exam, up to 30 minutes

Portfolio produced by the student

Grade scale A-F

One external and one internal examiner will assess all the students.

One external and one internal examiner will assess all the students.