Entry requirements

120 credits including 60 credits in biology and 30 credits in chemistry. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• account for structure and function of infectious viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi and explain the differences between groups of infectious organisms
• explain a general infection process and list the different stages
• account for the most important components of the human immune system and for the components that are important in various types of infections
• describe the most common virulence factors in bacteria, viruses, parasites and worms and explain how they have evolved and how they can be transmitted
• account for the most common diagnostic methods and treatments within infection biology and for the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
• practice adequate methodology for work with infectious microorganisms
• analyse infection biological research data, draw conclusions, and propose testable hypotheses from the analysed data
• review critically scientific papers in the field
• identify and in a structured way discuss aspects related to research ethics, public health ethics, and global justice.

Content

Bacteriology: The fundamental structure of bacteria, especially structures and mechanisms important for pathogenicity and virulence. Virology: Components and structures of viral particles and the basis of virus classification.

Parasitology and mycology: General and specific properties of infectious protozoa, worms and fungi.

Immunology: Adaptive and innate immunity. Virulence factors: Description of the most common virulence mechanisms. Diagnostics and vaccination: Basal principles for diagnosis and vaccination. The basis for PCR, RT-PCR, immunofluorecsence, ELISA, FACS and Western blotting.

Antibiotics and antibiotics resistance: Principles of antibiotic mechanisms. Mechanisms of the origin of antibiotics resistance.

Laboratory sessions

- Studies of modes of action of antibiotics.

- Diagnostics of parasitic diseases.

- Studies of host parasite interactions.

Seminars

Reading and critical examination of current scientific articles within infection biology. Teacher-supervised group discussions.

Instruction

Teaching includes lectures, seminars and laboratory practicals. Participation in seminars and practicals is compulsory.

Assessment

Modules: Laboratory practicals and seminars 4 credits; Theory I, 5 credits; Theory II, 6 credits.

Practicals and seminars require active participation. The theory is examined trough two written exams: an examination of more detailed knowledge after the first part of the course (Theory I) and a comprehensive examination (Theory II) at the end of the course.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.