BI3P1: Pathogens

Module code: BI3P1

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Simon Clarke, email: s.r.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Ian Jones, email: i.m.jones@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BI2ID2 OR TAKE BI2BI45 (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will provide you with an in depth understanding of the diverse mechanisms by which bacteria and viruses interact with host organisms and in some cases cause disease. You will gain knowledge of the key factors involved in pathogenesis, including virulence factors, the use of receptors, interaction with and modulation of the host and the mechanisms used to evade the immune response, both innate and adaptive. You will explore mechanisms from selected examples of pathogens that have a major impact on human health and agriculture such as enterobacteria, staphylococci, streptococci and Listeria, HIV, Influenza and the various agents that cause viral hepatitis. Prion and prion like agents and their connection to protein folding disorders will also be covered.   

You will consider opportunistic pathogens, where some diseases arise consequent to a primary pathology, such as immunodeficiency, and how in some cases the consequent pathology can have one of many possible causes whilst in others the pathology is directly attributable to one organism.  molecular basis for emerging infectious diseases, which may lead to epidemic and pandemic spread, and the need for an organism to adapt its tropism and replication requirements in order to succeed at the population level. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Discuss the association of pathogens with their respective hosts and explain how these infections may or may not lead to disease.   
2. Explain the molecular mechanisms used by pathogens to colonise their host and cause disease,discussing a range of selected viruses and bacteria. 
3. Integrate and critically evaluate scientific material to discuss the advanced technologies used by scientists to study disease causing pathogens, emphasising the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches. 

Module content

A lecture series will support students to learn how pathogens interact with whole organisms and mechanisms of pathogenicity at the molecular level. The role and properties of major virulence associated attributes (toxins, adhesins, factors involved in invasion of host cells, adaptation to the host environment and evasion of the host defence system) will be covered in detail. Directed reading of state-of-the art primary research articles will enable students to critically evaluate scientific literature and gain an understanding of current advances in this field of microbiology. In tutorial sessions students will debate issues of interest to the wider infectious disease field including eradication policies, the safety of blood products and risks that arise from social practices.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard.  

Study hours

At least 42 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative Blackboard tests that assess understanding of directed reading material will provide students with feedback so that they have an opportunity to reflect on progress and improve prior to the summative assessments.  

Reassessment

Additional costs