Entry requirements

At least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies), in biology, (bio-)medicine, biotechnology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical bioscience, (pharmaceutical)chemistry, medical science, agriculture, animal science, veterinary medicine or international education giving relevant knowledge in cell biology, genetics (bio)chemistry and molecular biology.

English proficiency, normally attested by means of an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to thoroughly report and explain principles behind

• classification, structure and function of medical relevant microbes
• the function of innate and acquired immune system in the organism's defence against infecting microbes
• microbial strategies to escape the immune defence of the host
• the infection cycle for a number of medical important viruses and bacteria
• molecular interactions between plants and their pathogens
• plants defences against infections
• the structure, evolution and function of microbe genomes
• the function, regulation, variability and transmission of virulence factors
• microbial strategies to govern the biosynthetic machinery of the host cell
• microbial infections and the link to serious diseases such as cancer
• the use of viral vectors in gene and cancer therapy
• important microbial transmission paths and how these can be prevented

The student should with the theoretical knowledge as basis

• independently be able to compile facts and to tighten conclusions of scientific texts
• critically analyse methods and interpret results and discuss these both orally and in writing

and furthermore have acquired

• thorough knowledge of experimental strategies and scientific issues that are used to study microbial processes at the molecular level
• knowledge and practical laboratory experience in the molecular biologic and genetic technology that are used within the infection biology research
• understanding of how scientific studies are planned and carried out

Content

The course consists of the three partly integrated parts; Immunology, Bacteriology and Virology. The course constitutes the first part within the Master programme in infection biology and aims to give deeper knowledge of structure and function of virus and bacteria with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms that govern pathogenesis. The hosts defence mechanisms against microbes are thoroughly discussed and also the ability of microbes to escape the attack of the immune defence. Focus is placed particularly on a number of important human pathogenic viruses and bacteria. Through practical parts an understanding for and knowledge of experimental techniques to study microbes and their interaction with the host cell is given.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, compulsory seminars and laboratory exercises. The lectures have a strong anchorage in ongoing research within the infection biology area. Practical exercises are carried out partly in research laboratories together with postgraduate students as a part of ongoing research projects. The teaching is given in English.

Assessment

The examination comprises written examinations in bacteriology respectively virology (examination code), seminar with written presentations and laboratory experiments with laboratory reports. To pass the course, passed results of all compulsory parts and examinations are required. Possibility to supplement failed laboratory course can be given at the earliest at next course and only in case of a vacancy.