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

Passed the first year of the programme.

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 important properties of some of the most prevalent forms of human pathogenic microorganisms
• giving examples of how microorganisms can cause disease
• describing the main principles of antibiotics- mechanisms of action
• describing some of the resistance mechanisms of bacteria and explaining how bacteria can develop resistance to an antibiotic
• describing how microorganisms can be determined using cultivation, immunological and gene technology methods
• assessing the importance that findings of different microorganisms can have in different types of sample material
• explaining the principles of different immunological methods and showing insight into the various methods- areas of use, possibilities and limitations
• explaining how relevant methods and analyses can be quality assured

Skills

The student is capable of 

• determining, isolating and identifying certain important human pathogenic microorganisms and performing resistance testing on antibiotics
• performing work in a responsible manner that safeguards infection control
• conducting and quality assuring different immunological methods and assessing any sources of errors related to these

General competence

The student

• is familiar with the laws and regulations relating to infection control in society and the health services

The work and teaching methods are chosen on the basis of the principle of integrating theory and practice. The course covers work-relevant and problem-oriented tasks in the fields of microbiology and immunology, where problem-solving, activity, reflection and cooperation are a prerequisite. Most teaching activities take place in OsloMet's laboratory, where findings of microorganisms and their antibodies, if any, from different types of sample material are examined. 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. 

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.