Module Details

Module Code: BIOM8002
Title: Antimicrobial Strategies
Long Title: Antimicrobial Strategies
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4213 - Microbiology
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: A comprehensive overview of strategies used in the pharmaceutical industry to inhibit bacteria. Specific topics covered include antibiotics, bacteriocins and disinfectants. Methods used to assess the microbiological quality of pharmaceuticals will also be examined.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Compare the mode of action of antibiotics and describe the assays used to examine the antibacterial activity of compounds.
LO2 Describe the mechanisms used by bacteria to resist antibiotics and analyse alternative strategies for antimicrobial therapy.
LO3 Describe bacterial biofilm formation and recognise the consequences of biofilm in the pharmaceutical industry.
LO4 Outline the use of disinfectants in the pharmaceutical industry.
LO5 Assess methods used to determine the microbiological quality of pharmaceuticals.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Antibiotics
Mode of action of antibiotics. Antimicrobial susceptibility assays (disk diffusion assay, MICs, kinetic kill curves). Bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Alternative strategies for antimicrobial therapy.
Bacteriocins. Vaccine production and end product testing.
Disinfectants
Factors affecting the action of disinfectants in the pharmaceutical industry.
Biofilm
Factors that contribute to the antimicrobial tolerance of biofilm.
Microbiological quality of pharmaceuticals.
Methods used to sterilize pharmaceuticals. End product testing. Alternative microbiological methods to assess the quality of pharmaceuticals.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
MCQ exam based on material covered in lectures
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Class based instruction Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact No Description Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Denyer S., Hodges N., Gorman, S and Gilmore BF.. (2011), Hugo and Russell's Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Wiley-Blackwell, [ISBN: 9781444330632].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • O' Neill, J.. Tackling drug-resistant infections globally: final report and recommendations, May 2016,
    https://amr-review.org/
  • Baym et al.. (2016), Spatiotemporal microbial evolution on antibiotic landscapes., Science, 353(6304), p.1147.
  • Payne et al.. (2007), Drugs for bad bugs: confronting the challenges of antibacterial discovery., Nat Rev Drug Discov., 6(1), p.29.
  • Ling et al.. (2015), A new antibiotic kills pathogens without detectable resistance., Nature, 517(7535), p.455.
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SPHBI_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 7 Mandatory