Skip to main content

Module

MIC3046 : Microbiota and pathogens

  • Offered for Year: 2025/26
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Robert Hirt
  • Co-Module Leader: Dr David Bolam
  • Lecturer: Dr Anjam Khan, Dr Elisabeth Lowe, Professor Janet Quinn, Dr Kate Beckham, Professor Jeffrey Pearson
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
  • Capacity limit: 97 student places
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental importance of the interactions between the host and the intestinal microbiota in maintaining health as well as in disease development in relation to selected pathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi. It will provide an up-to-date review of the molecular cell biology, genomics and evolution of the human mucosal microbiota and selected pathogens and how their interactions between one another and with the mucosal immune system influence health and disease.

Outline Of Syllabus

The main topics covered include: The human mucosa microbiota of the gut, taxonomic diversity and functions; interplay between the microbiota and pathogens including viral, bacterial and microbial eukaryotes with both parasitic protozoa and fungal pathogens; gut mucosal immunology. Molecular cell biology, genomics and pathobiology of parasitic protozoa and fungal pathogens and drug resistance among fungal pathogens.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture251:0025:00In person lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching21:002:00In person x2, one run at the end of each respective strand A and B
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1731:00173:00Writing up lecture notes, revision and general reading
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will provide students with key information (K1-3).

The seminars associated with the two strands (A&B) will encourage increased understanding of the material through discussion of journal articles (S1-2) and will also include Q&A sessions, which together will help the student in preparing the written essay and formal examination (S3).

Private study will allow students to extend their knowledge through reading of journal articles and other recommended references (S2).

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1202A70Invigilated examination (2 essays from choice of 4).
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M30Invigilated Timed Essay (1 hour)
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise1MShort questions on a given research article - one for each seminar/1 per strand A & B (5-10 words per question)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The timed essay will test students' knowledge, understanding and written communication skills and prepare them for the invigilated examination.

FMS Schools offering Semester One modules available as ‘Study Abroad’ will, where required, provide an alternative assessment time for examinations that take place after the Winter vacation. Coursework with submission dates after the Winter vacation will either be submitted at an earlier date or at the same time remotely. The assessment format will not normally vary from the original to ensure learning outcomes are met. Any changes to the original format must meet module learning outcomes and be approved by the school.

Reading Lists

Timetable