Entry requirements

Within the program, earlier courses should have been reviewed.

Learning outcomes

Aims for module in Bacteriology

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

-describe the bacterial cell structure, nutritional requirements, as well as the important parts of the bacterial metabolism including growth stages and explain the importance of these during an infection

-explain the ability of bacteria to adapt to shifting environments through gene regulation, mutations and horizontal gene transfers

-account for bacteria and their virulence factors in connection with respiratory, gut, blood and urinary infections as well as with venereal diseases

-describe the mechanism of action and resistance mechanisms for antibiotics that are used during an infection, and justify which strategy are used during an antibiotic treatment

-account for eukaryotic microorganisms (fungi, protozoans) that cause human diseases as well as give examples of drugs that are used against these microorganisms

Aims for the laboratory session

-carry out cultivation and sterilization techniques for handling bacteria

-carry out diagnostic tests to demonstrate the presence of bacteria and determine their species

-implement methods for determination of the antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria

Aims for module in Immunology

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

-account for how the immune system's different components are formed and function as well as explain how they interact with each other to protect against different types of pathogens

-account for the recognition mechanisms immune system utilise to identify pathogens and other foreign objects and separate these from endogenous objects

-anticipate which type of immune response is activated during different types of infections and account for the effector mechanisms of these responses

-describe how vaccination are used to create immunity, how older and newer types of vaccines are developed, as well as explain the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of vaccines

Aims for module in Virology

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

-describe the structure of viruses, how viruses are classified based on their capsid and nucleic acid sequences, as well as describe similarities and differences in the life cycles of RNA-viruses, DNA-viruses and retroviruses

-account for the most important virus groups in connection with viral infections in different parts of body as well as explain how viruses can cause cancer and be used as vectors in connection with the treatment of hereditary diseases and cancer

-account for antiviral treatments and the mode of action of antiviral drugs

-account for the pathogenesis and epidemiology of viral infections as well as interferon activation

-explain which role the immune defence has during viral infections and how virus can block the immune system

Content

The course in infection biology covers the growth of microorganisms, the structure and function of the immune system, the relationships between microorganisms and their hosts, the impact of anti-infectious drugs as well as the development of new anti-infectious drugs.

The module in bacteriology (equivalent to 3.5 Credits, of which 1 Credit consists of laboratory sessions) covers the structure of bacteria and the conditions for bacterial growth. It is especially focused on the ability of bacteria to cause human diseases as well as how bacterial infections can be prevented and treated. A large emphasis is placed on the modes of action of antibiotics as well as the genetic and biochemical background of antibiotic resistance. It also covers examples of infections caused by eukaryotic microorganisms (fungi and protozoans). In the laboratory part (equivalent 1 Credit) students practice their ability to handle bacteria. Laboratory sessions include the quantification and identification of bacteria as well as the determination of the antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria.

The module in immunology (equivalent to 2.5 Credits) treats the immune system's structure and the different strategies it can use of to protect against different types of microorganisms and other foreign objects.

The module in virology (equivalent to 2.5 Credits) covers the reproduction of the different viral forms that cause human infections. It is especially focused on viral diseases that affect humans, as well as how these can be prevented and treated.

Case studies in infection biology (equivalent to 0.5 Credits) help students obtaining an overview on how bacteria, viruses and the immune system interact with each other.

Instruction

Teaching is given as lectures, cases, seminars, workshops and laboratory sessions.

Compulsory parts of the course: laboratory sessions and cases.

Assessment

Modules:

IMMU 2.5 credits, written examination (module in immunology)

MIKR 5 credits, written examination (module in bacteriology and virology)

LABO 1 credit, laboratory sessions

FINF 0.5 credits, cases in infection biology

The written examination is scheduled after each part, while oral examination of cases happens continuously during course and written examination takes place right at the end of the laboratory sessions. To pass the course, approved exams (, IMMU, MIKR) are required, in addition to an approved result for the compulsory components (LABO, FINF). A chance to carry out a failed compulsory component can be arranged only during the next course and only if space allows.

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 University's disability coordinator.

Other regulations

To participate in the laboratory sessions it is required to pass the safety test from the course Professional development 2:

Pharmacist-scientific methodology and communication (3AP002), or equivalent.

This course replaces the earlier courses 3FM007 and 3FM207 and may not be included in qualification together with this.