ANIML SC 3020RW - Animal Microbiology & Invertebrates III

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

An introduction to the biology of microorganisms and invertebrates of importance in and to animals. Topics to be considered include: form and function of major groups of microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans); classification and identification; features of pathogenic, symbiotic and commensal lifestyles; basic concepts of invertebrate arthropod and helminth taxonomy, physiology and function; reproduction and life cycles; practical skills for manipulating microorganisms and invertebrates and studying their activities.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANIML SC 3020RW
    Course Animal Microbiology & Invertebrates III
    Coordinating Unit School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Roseworthy Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 7 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites BIOLOGY 1101/1101ND or BIOLOGY 1401, & BIOLOGY 1202
    Incompatible PLANT SC 2500WT & MICRO 2500
    Assumed Knowledge 6 units of Level I Chemistry and 3 units of Level II Biochemistry
    Restrictions Available to BSc (Animal Sci) students only
    Course Description An introduction to the biology of microorganisms and invertebrates of importance in and to animals. Topics to be considered include: form and function of major groups of microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans); classification and identification; features of pathogenic, symbiotic and commensal lifestyles; basic concepts of invertebrate arthropod and helminth taxonomy, physiology and function; reproduction and life cycles; practical skills for manipulating microorganisms and invertebrates and studying their activities.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Darren Miller

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
    1 Display knowledge of microorganism and invertebrate biology that applies to a wide variety of animal species (including wildlife, production and companion animals).
    2 Demonstrate skills in handling microorganisms and invertebrates.
    3 Demonstrate an understanding of microbial ecosystems and animal interactions.
    4 Synthesise information with data and present findings. 
    5 Exhibit skills in problem solving, critical analysis, team work and communication.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 4, 5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    5
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources
    Hagan and Bruner's Microbiology and Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals by John Timoney, James H. Gillespie, Fredric W. Scott, and Jeffrey E. Barlough

    Veterinary Microbiology: Bacterial and Fungal Agents of Animal Disease by J. Glenn Songer and Karen W. Post

    Microbiology of Animals and Animal Products by JB Woolcock (editor)

    The Nutritional Microbiology of Farm Animals by D.N. Kamra and N.N. Pathak

    Animal Microbiology. Vol.2 By A Buxton, G Fraser

    Insects of Australia by George Hangay & Pavel German

    Veterinary Parasitology by M.A. Taylor, R.L. Coop, R.L. Wall
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered in the following means:
    Internal: 3 x 1 hour lecture per week as a block, 1 x 3h practical per week,
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should  expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g.,
    lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary
    The course content will include the following:
    1.    Microbial and invertebrate taxonomy
    2.    Introduction to pathogens, commensals and symbionts
    3.    Bacteriology
    4.    Virology
    5.    Mycology
    6.    Protozoan biology
    7.    Biology of arthropods and helminths
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting HURDLE Learning Outcome
    Practical
    reports
    Formative Throughout semester 33% No 1,2,3,4,5
    Journal
    paper critical review
    Formative After 4 weeks 17% No 1,3,4,5
    Final exam Summative End of semester 50% Yes 1,3
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Hurdle Requirements


    Assessment Item Requirement for hurdle Is additional assessment available if student
    does not meet hurdle requirement?
    Details of additional assessment, if known
    Final exam 40% Yes Additional assessment exam
    COMPULSORY REQUIREMENTS

    Failure to attend practicals (without an approved absence) will result in students being unable to submit and therefore receive assessment for the practical (i.e. the practical report). If the student has an approved absence (i.e. on medical or compassionate grounds), they will be given an opportunity to complete a replacement/alternative (but equal) assessment task.
    Assessment Detail
    Practical reports and quiz (33%): There are 12 practical sessions over the semester that contain a mixture of topics.  Virology practicals are assessed using a quiz (4%).  There are 3 practical reports required for bacteriology (8%) and 3 for protists, helminths and arthropods (6%).  The practical reports will include drawings, descriptions and discussion of important points. Students will receive written feedback on each of practical reports submitted for assessment to further develop their data analysis skills. Students, work in groups, to determine the identity of an unknown microorganism in the remaining practical exercise and then provide a report given as an oral presentation approximately half way through the semester Each student will contribute to the team report on the particular type of disease and underlying physiology as well as pair reports on the specific pathogen. There will be a question time after both the team and pair reports and all students are expected to answer questions. A total time of ~75 minutes is allocated per team for a total of 15%. Students will receive an individual mark based on multiple lecturer assessment of the presentations.

    Journal paper critical review (17%): A 1500 word limit written critique and review of a primary research article on microorganism or invertebrate will be submitted approximately two months into the semester. The exercise will improve the students’ ability to analyse and assess primary literature and the feedback will assist the students’ written communication skills.

    Final Exam (50%): The final exam will be given at the end of the semester to ensure summative knowledge of course material. The style of questions will be Short Answer, Multiple Choice and Essay.

     



    Submission

    Late Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A mark of zero will be allocated to late submitted assessment.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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