This course provides students with a broad-based foundation in the basic concepts of general and clinical microbiology. Topics covered include an overview of microbiology with basic information on bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses, a discussion of microbial physiology and genetics, and an introduction to microbial pathogenesis and the host response, providing a conceptual basis for understanding pathogenic microorganisms and the mechanisms by which they cause diseases in the human body. Successful completion of this course will prepare students for more advanced courses in related fields.

CILO-1: Describe the use of microscopy and staining in microorganism study. CILO-2: Distinguish the basic groups of microbes. CILO-3: Describe how sub-cellular structures contribute to the organism’s functioning as a unit. CILO-4: Compare major pathways of catabolism and biosynthesis. CILO-5: Investigate the effect of different environmental conditions using a typical bacterial growth curve. CILO-6: Explain the microbial genetics principle of deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) replication, transcription, and translation. CILO-7: Describe the acquisition of novel genetic information in microbes via mutations and genetic exchange. CILO-8: Explain the role of the host in infectious disease, including natural barriers to infection, immune responses especially innate immune response to infection, and inflammation. CILO-9: Describe the characteristics of virus and its genetic information. CILO-10: Compare different microbial diseases, including the properties of different types of pathogens, and the mechanisms of pathogenesis. CILO-11: Develop a self-learning capability.