Course content
An introduction to: bacteria, viruses, parasites, structure, identification and classification; economic and health issues of disease; genetics and mechanisms of infectivity, pathogenesis, virulence and host susceptibility. Immunity; epidemiology; control strategies, new technologies and public health; genomic analysis of pathogens; new organisms; invertebrate and fungal parasites, life histories, vectors, hosts and transmission models; and ecological, cultural and evolutionary aspects of human parasitism.
Course learning objectives
Students who pass this course will be able to:
Describe the basic disease processes in humans for select diseases of national and international importance.
Understand how disease is measured and how it may be prevented.
Integrate knowledge of the immune system and how its functions can prevent or cause disease.
Creatively link and resynthesise information presented in the laboratories, lectures, and guest lectures with your existing knowledge about human disease.
Available offerings
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Offering CRN 8739
This course outline is final and archived.
Duration
17 July 2017 - 19 November 2017
Starts
Trimester 2
Campus
Kelburn
Lecture start times
Monday - 11:00, 11:00
Tuesday - 11:00, 11:00
Thursday - 11:00, 11:00
People
Lecturers
Lecturers
Andrew Munkacsi
- andrew.munkacsi@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635171
- 322 Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn
David Maass
- David.Maass@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4635233 ext 8172
- 324 Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn
Fabian Westermann
- fabian.westermann@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 4636136
- 206 Te Toki a Rata Building, Kelburn Parade
Joanna Mackichan
- joanna.mackichan@vuw.ac.nz
- 04 463 4711
- 303 Alan MacDiarmid Building, Kelburn
Administrators
Office hours
Fabian Westermann is the Senior Tutor for BMSC 117 and should be the first person to be contacted if you are have missed an assessment or have any general problems with the course, if necessary he will forward your message to the appropriate lecturer and/or the Course Coordinator.
Prof Anne La Flamme (AM306) is the Course Coordinator for BMSC 117.
Schedule
Teaching plan
Week 1
Lecture
Introduction to disease and immunity
Chapter 16
Anne La Flamme
17 July
Lecture
Immunity
Chapter 16
Anne La Flamme
18 July
Lecture
Immunity
Chapter 17
Anne La Flamme
20 July
Laboratory
Microscopy
Page 17
21 July
Week 2
Lecture
Immunity
Chapter 17
Anne La Flamme
24 July
Lecture
Autoimmunity
Chapter 18
Anne La Flamme
25 July
Lecture
Autoimmunity
Chapter 18
Anne La Flamme
27 July
Laboratory
Immunology/Serology
Page 25
28 July
Week 3
Lecture
Introduction to bacterial diversity
Joanna Mackichan
31 July
Lecture
Bacterial morphology
Joanna Mackichan
1 August
Lecture
Bacterial metabolism
Joanna Mackichan
3 August
Laboratory
Bacteria
Page 35
4 August
Week 4
Lecture
Bacterial genetics
Joanna Mackichan
7 August
Lecture
Bacterial infections of the skin
Joanna Mackichan
8 August
Lecture
Bacterial infections of the respiratory system
Joanna Mackichan
10 August
Laboratory
Bacteria that colonize humans - Part 1
Page 47
11 August
Week 5
Lecture
Bacterial diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
Joanna Mackichan
14 August
Lecture
Viruses. Human disease
David Maass
15 August
Lecture
Viruses
David Maass
17 August
Laboratory
Bacteria that colonize disease - Part 2
18 August
Week 6
Lecture
Viruses
David Maass
21 August
Test
FIRST TERM TEST (50 min)—Lectures 1–13 (17%)
22 August
Lecture
Fungi in Human disease
24 August
Laboratory
Pipetting
Page 63
25 August
Week 7
Lecture
Guest lecture: Addiction (Dr Bronwyn Kivell)
11 September
Lecture
Guest lecture: Funding medicines (Dr Graeme Jarvis)
12 September
Lecture
Guest lecture: Zika Virus (Michelle Balm)
14 September
Laboratory
Clinical features of influenza
Page 77
15 September
Week 8
Lecture
Introduction and Protozoans Part 1
See notes
Anne La Flamme
18 September
Lecture
Protozoans Part 2
See notes
Anne La Flamme
19 September
Lecture
Protozoans: malaria
See notes
Anne La Flamme
21 September
Laboratory
Human parasitic disease - 1
Page 91
22 September
Week 9
Lecture
Tissue nematodes
See notes
Anne La Flamme
25 September
Lecture
Intestinal nematodes and cestodes
See notes
Anne La Flamme
26 September
Lecture
Schistosomiasis and arthropods
See notes
Anne La Flamme
28 September
Laboratory
Human parasitic disease - 2
Page 91
29 September
Week 10
Test
LABORATORY TEST (50 min) – Workshops 1-7
2 October
Lecture
Allergy
Chapter 18
Anne La Flamme
3 October
Lecture
Guest lecture: Control of influenza viruses (Dr Sue Huang)
5 October
Laboratory
Tropic Medicine Clinic
Page 101
6 October
Week 11
Lecture
Asthma
Chapter 18
Anne La Flamme
9 October
Test
SECOND TERM TEST (50 min) Lectures 14-16, 18-27, 29 (17%)
10 October
Lecture
Cancer Part 1
See Blackboard
Anne La Flamme
11 October
Laboratory
Asthma and house dust mites
Page 103
13 October
Week 12
Lecture
Cancer Part 2
See Blackboard
16 October
Lecture
Atherosclerosis
See Blackboard
17 October
Lecture
Aging
See Blackboard
19 October
Laboratory
Human ageing and Cancer
Page 115
20 October
Timeline
- 17 July 2017
- Course begins
- 17 July 2017 to 20 October 2017
- Teaching
- 28 August 2017 to 8 September 2017
- Break
- 24 October 2017 to 26 October 2017
- Study period
- 27 October 2017 to 18 November 2017
- Exam period
- 19 November 2017
- Course ends
Timetable
17 July 2017 - 27 August 2017
Monday
- 11:00 - 11:50 – LT122, Cotton, Kelburn
Tuesday
- 11:00 - 11:50 – LT122, Cotton, Kelburn
Thursday
- 11:00 - 11:50 – LT122, Cotton, Kelburn
11 September 2017 - 22 October 2017
Monday
- 11:00 - 11:50 – LT122, Cotton, Kelburn
Tuesday
- 11:00 - 11:50 – LT122, Cotton, Kelburn
Thursday
- 11:00 - 11:50 – LT122, Cotton, Kelburn
Teaching format
Three hourly lectures per week plus one one-hour practical class per week
Workload
As a 15 point course, it is expected that students spend 150 hours in class and in personal study over the trimester
Additional classes
Where? Kirk 701 (KK701)
When? One 1-hour practical class per week (K701) chosen from:
(a) Friday 9 - 9:50am; (b) Friday 10:00 - 10:50am; (c) Friday 1.10 - 2:00pm; (d) Friday 2:10 - 3:00pm;
- Friday 3.10 - 4:00pm;
It is expected that you read the notes thoroughly before you come to the workshop, you must complete the Pre-Laboratory Lab questions before you’re allowed to enter the lab. You need to sign up for a laboratory time. We are using myAllocator to sign up for labs this year: https://student- sa.victoria.ac.nz/
IT IS COMPULSORY TO WEAR A LAB COAT IN THESE LABORATORY SESSIONS IN ADDITION TO SHOES THAT COVER YOUR FEET (I.E. SANDALS ARE NOT ALLOWED). YOU WILL ALWAYS NEED TO BRING A PENCIL, A RULER, A CALCULATOR, AND THIS LAB BOOK TO CLASS.
Lectures and laboratories are integral and related parts of the course. They should be studied together to gain an overall understanding. As a result, any test or exam is likely to require knowledge from all parts of the course. We’ve noticed that the number of students that pass BMSC 117 is almost exactly the same number as regularly attend lectures and labs.
Texts
Required
There are no required texts for this offering.
Recommended
We recommend the following textbook for this course:
Additionally, there are required and recommended readings, which are available via Blackboard.
However, don't just stick to the recommended textbook and readings. Have a browse through the books in the University Library as well.
Remember, if you get stuck, then you can always ask us!
- Microbiology—Principles and Explorations, Jacquelyn G. Black. 7th, 8th or 9th edition
Required materials and equipment
It is compulsory to wear a lab coat in these laboratpry sessions in addition to shoes that cover your feet (i.e. sandals are not allowed). You will always need to bring a penil, a ruler, a calculator and the lab book to class.
Assessment
Sixty percent (60%) of the total marks are gained from tests and workshop exercises run during the course; this is the “in-term assessment” component. The other 40% comes from the final examination (2 hours) at the end of the course.
NOTE: To pass BMSC 117, you must complete ALL of the mandatory course requirements. You MUST attend at least 90% of the labs. If you do not, you MUST have a documented excuse. If you attend less than 90% of the labs without a documented excuse you will fail this course. You MUST attain at least 40% in the final examination.
Marked Laboratory exercises
Due: -
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 3,
- 4,
Mark: 15%
Test 1: Covering lectures 1-13
Due: 22 August
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 3,
- 4,
Mark: 17%
Laboratory test (1 hour) Covering workshops 1-7
Due: 2 October
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 3,
- 4,
Mark: 11%
Test 2: Covering lectures 14-16, 18-27, 29
Due: 10 October
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 3,
- 4,
Mark: 17%
Final examination (2 hours)
Due: TBC
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 3,
- 4,
Mark: 40%
Mandatory requirements
In addition to achieving an overall pass mark of at least 50%, students must:
- You MUST attend at least 90% of the workshops
- You MUST attain at least 40% in the final examination
If you believe that exceptional circumstances may prevent you from meeting the mandatory course requirements, contact the Course Coordinator for advice as soon as possible.
Marking criteria
Tests 1-2 (2 tests, each worth 17%)
The lecture material covered in each test is shown in the above table. Each test will be a mixture of multiple choice, short answer, and true/false questions. More details will be given in class.
Final exam (worth 40%)
This is held at the end of the course, and counts for 40% of the final mark. You can find examples of previous exams at http://library.victoria.ac.nz/library-v2/collections/general-collections/exam-papers. The study and examination period for 2017 is from Monday 24 October to Friday November 17.
Work submission
Information about the submission ans return of work will be posted on Blackboard.
Extension
N/A
Penalties
By university regulation, we are ONLY able to take medical certificates as valid excuses for missing assessments. If you miss any assessment you must get a medical certificate and bring/email a copy to your Senior Tutor (Fabian.Westermann@vuw.ac.nz).
Communication and additional information
We use Blackboard for communication of marks, some lecture notes, notices regarding tests, etc. You should ensure that you check Blackboard regularly for such information. E-mails may also be sent through Blackboard using your university e-mail account; please ensure that you check this account regularly or arrange for these e-mails to be forwarded to another account (you may find more information on that in the help section on Blackboard). Notices may also be announced at the beginning of lectures.
Student feedback
Information about student feedback can be found here: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/learning-teaching/partnership/student-feedback
You can view Student course feedback collected for the University courses from the last completed trimester for which feedback was collected
Class representative
The class representative provides a useful way to communicate feedback to the teaching staff during the course. They also work with the VUWSA Education Office on any academic issues that arise in their course. Reps are elected by students by the third week of classes every trimester. Being a rep requires a weekly commitment.
The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington values te reo Māori. Students who wish to submit any of their assessments in te reo Māori must refer to The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy - PDF 134kb
He mea nui te reo Māori ki Te Herenga Waka. Ki te pīrangi koe ki te tuhituhi i ō aro matawai i roto i te reo Māori, tēnā me mātua whakapā atu ki te kaupapa here, The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy - PDF 134kb
Course additions and withdrawals
If you want to add or drop a course you need to make sure you follow the correct process.
Important information
Keep your uni experience running smoothly—find out how to manage your studies from enrolment through to graduation.
Find out more:
- Enrolment and course advice
- Student conduct and feedback
- Examinations and assessments