BIOB2200 Medical Microbiology and Immunology Course description

The course focuses on fundamental chemistry and the content will be presented in the context of biomedical laboratory science. An introduction is also given to chemical analysis principles that are relevant for biomedical analyses and that are seen in conjunction with quality assurance of analysis results. Laboratory-practical aspects, including safety, will be elucidated in the laboratory sessions. Knowledge of chemistry is also an important basis for understanding subjects such as physiology, biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics later in the programme.

The student must have been admitted to the study 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;

• can describe the important properties of some of the most prevalent forms of human pathogenic microorganisms;
• can give examples of how microorganisms can cause disease
• can describe the main principles of antibiotics’ mechanisms of action
• can describe some of the resistance mechanisms of bacteria and explain how bacteria can develop resistance to an antibiotic
• can explain how microorganisms can be determined with the help of microscopy, cultivation, bio-chemical, immunological and gene technology methods and mass spectrometry, and describe the methods’ areas of use, possibilities and limitations
• can assess the importance that findings of different microorganisms can have in different types of sample material
• can explain the principles behind different immunological methods for detection of antibodies against microorganisms and describe the methods’ areas of use, possibilities and limitations;
• can explain quality assurance for relevant methods and analyses
• has knowledge of sample collection and the correct treatment of different types of sample material for microbiological investigations, and how analytical, pre- and postanalytical conditions influence analysis results
• can explain principles for sterilisation and disinfection
• is familiar with how social conditions affect the extent of various infectious diseases and the development of resistance at a national and global scale

Skills;

The student

• can detect, isolate and identify important human pathogenic microorganisms and carry out resistance testing on antibiotics, quality assuring methods used and assess sources of error
• can carry out and quality assure different methods for detecting antibodies in patients in connection with infection or vaccination and assess possible sources of error related to these
• can perform work in a responsible manner that safeguards infection control
• can follow procedures for responsible waste management both with regards to the danger of infection and the environment

General competence

The student

• is familiar with the laws and regulations relating to infection control in society and the health services
• can reflect on his/her own practice, keeping up with the latest academic research, seeking and receiving supervision
• can interpret an order containing clinical information and provide the correct test result

All answers are assessed by one examiner. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

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

• can explain the structure of atoms and how the properties of the elements are decided by electron configurations
• can explain the chemical structure of molecules, ions and metals by looking at the most important types of chemical bonding
• can explain the reactivity of substances based on thermodynamic and kinetic principles
• can explain the classification of substances in organic chemistry and how the different substances react
• can explain the chemical and physical principles behind key chemical analysis methods
• can explain basic terms in measurement uncertainty

Skills

The student

• can convert units of measurement relating to mass, volume, temperature, amount and concentration of substances
• can name molecules and ionic bonds
• can conduct fundamental stoichiometric calculations and equilibrium calculations in chemical reactions
• can make the necessary calculations to create solutions with the desirable concentration
• has fundamental skills in practical laboratory work, including the correct use of weights and volumetric equipment
• can create control charts (Shewhart charts) and assess control results

General competence

The student

• can identify the connection between fundamental chemistry and biomedical analysis methods
• can describe safety procedures and handling chemicals in a responsible manner

The work and teaching methods consist of lectures, thesis seminars, laboratory work and self-study.

The practical part of the course focuses on student-active learning forms, where the students themselves organise the day at the laboratory and assess their own results in an independent manner.

Digital learning resources are used in the course in the form of video lectures, digital tests and practical exercises.

In order to be permitted to take the exam, the following must have been approved:

• a minimum of 90 per cent attendance in laboratory teaching
• two (2) individual digital tests
• individual written test in laboratory skills, up to 2 hours

Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours

Book of tables and formulas in chemistry, calculator.

Grade scale A-F

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

• General chemistry: 7.5 credits
• Chemical analysis principles: 2 credits
• Quality assurance: 0.5 credits