Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Gatton
- Coordinating unit
- Agriculture and Food Sustainability School
Introduction to the form, function and physiology of the major microbial groups, particularly as they relate to plant and animal health and production; introduction to the basic theory and applications of gene technology.
Evidence of vaccination against tetanus is mandatory for the In Person offering of this course. Refer to UQ Student Immunisation Requirements for more information.
Welcome to AGRC2013 - Agricultural Microbiology and Gene Technology. The science of microbiology deals with microscopic living organisms such as fungi, protozoa, bacteria, archaeaᅠand viruses. Other agents like prions and viroids are also dealt with, due to their impact on animal and human health. Microbiology is one of the most fascinating and challenging biological sciences,ᅠattractingᅠscientists and researchers worldwide. With new and emerging technologies, the field of microbiology is rapidly expanding. This course will provide the underpinning basics, and use examples from across all aspects of agriculture to demonstrate the crucial role microbiology plays in everyday life.ᅠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
First year core biology courses.
Restrictions
In Person offering restricted to students who meet mandatory immunisation requirements.
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- Another instance of the same course
This course shares content with AGRC2013 In Person, with activities and assessment that may vary (Online modules for External) to suit the mode and campus of study.
Course staff
Course coordinator
Lecturer
Laboratory manager
Timetable
Additional timetable information
How to study this courseᅠ
It is important that you read the Course Profile thoroughly before you start. Carefully read the Learning Activities summary, as this outlines the areas you should be studying each week. Also, please note when each piece of assessment is due.
In the external offering, this course is taught entirely online, with modules being released weekly for both theory and practical content.
Aims and outcomes
To provide students with knowledge and skills associated with the fundamental concepts of microbiology. Interaction between the different classes of microbes and plants, animals, and their environment will be described in relation to animal health, plant health, and the quality of agricultural products.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Accurately distinguish between different types of microorganisms.
LO2.
Explain how microorganisms may be detected within various environments, including how they may be cultivated within the laboratory setting, and molecular methods of detection.
LO3.
Carry out basic laboratory techniques related to microbiology and molecular biology.
LO4.
Explain the various relationships microorganisms have with their environments, including pathogenic, symbiotic and commensal lifestyles.
LO5.
Discuss the role of microorganisms in animals, plants, and soil ecosystems, and food production.
LO6.
Explain how molecular techniques and bioinformatics can be used in agricultural microbiology.
Assessment
Assessment summary
Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
---|---|---|---|
Quiz |
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 1
|
1% |
31/07/2024 1:00 pm |
Quiz |
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 2
|
1% |
7/08/2024 1:00 pm |
Quiz |
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 3
|
1% |
21/08/2024 1:00 pm |
Quiz |
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 4
|
1% |
28/08/2024 1:00 pm |
Quiz |
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 5
|
1% |
4/09/2024 1:00 pm |
Poster |
Scientific Poster - Microbial Disease
|
10% |
6/09/2024 1:00 pm |
Quiz |
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 6
|
1% |
11/09/2024 1:00 pm |
Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration |
Online Laboratory Exercises
|
33% |
18/09/2024 4:00 pm |
Quiz |
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 7
|
1% |
18/09/2024 1:00 pm |
Examination |
Final Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 1
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 1%
- Due date
31/07/2024 1:00 pm
Task description
Students will be required to read the practical manual for the pracs being conducted in that week and together with lecture notes, complete a pre-practical quiz prior to each weekly prac class via blackboard (1% each).
Microscopic perspectives
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Click 'Save and Submit' at the end of the Blackboard Quiz to submit your answers.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed before the due date and time of the assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 2
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 1%
- Due date
7/08/2024 1:00 pm
Task description
Students will be required to read the practical manual for the pracs being conducted in that week and together with lecture notes, complete a pre-practical quiz prior to each weekly prac class via blackboard (1% each).
Separating and distinguishing between bacterial species
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Click 'Save and Submit' at the end of the Blackboard Quiz to submit your answers.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed before the due date and time of the assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 3
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 1%
- Due date
21/08/2024 1:00 pm
Task description
Students will be required to read the practical manual for the pracs being conducted in that week and together with lecture notes, complete a pre-practical quiz prior to each weekly prac class via blackboard (1% each).
Physical characteristics of bacteria
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Click 'Save and Submit' at the end of the Blackboard Quiz to submit your answers.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed before the due date and time of the assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 4
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 1%
- Due date
28/08/2024 1:00 pm
Task description
Students will be required to read the practical manual for the pracs being conducted in that week and together with lecture notes, complete a pre-practical quiz prior to each weekly prac class via blackboard (1% each).
Metabolic characteristics of bacteria
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Click 'Save and Submit' at the end of the Blackboard Quiz to submit your answers.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed before the due date and time of the assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 5
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 1%
- Due date
4/09/2024 1:00 pm
Task description
Students will be required to read the practical manual for the pracs being conducted in that week and together with lecture notes, complete a pre-practical quiz prior to each weekly prac class via blackboard (1% each).
Responses to temperature
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Click 'Save and Submit' at the end of the Blackboard Quiz to submit your answers.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed before the due date and time of the assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Scientific Poster - Microbial Disease
- Online
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Poster
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
6/09/2024 1:00 pm
Task description
You are to create and present a scientific style poster describing a microbial disease of your choice, but it must be related to agriculture (i.e. of relevance to plants, animals or food). DO NOT use one of the case study examples from module 5 (These include Johne's disease, Prions (mad cow) and Chlamydia in Koalas).
Sections to include:
Abstract - Summary (2 marks)
Introduction - What is the disease, causative agent? Sympotms? Its impact on the industry? (3 marks)
Disease transmission - How does it spread? (2 marks)
Prevention and Treatment (3 marks)
Please also submit your poster as a PDF so it can be easily read and marked.
Size suggestions: total poster size should be A0 (841x1189mm) with text size legible by someone standing a couple of meters away (30 point size)
Some useful tips and examples of scientific posters can be found here: http://www.craftofscientificposters.com/
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, in Blackboard, via the Poster PDF link by the submission deadline. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit. Legal Declaration By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed before the due date and time of the assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 6
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 1%
- Due date
11/09/2024 1:00 pm
Task description
Students will be required to read the practical manual for the pracs being conducted in that week and together with lecture notes, complete a pre-practical quiz prior to each weekly prac class via blackboard (1% each).
Bacteria in plants and soil and their effects on nutrition
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Click 'Save and Submit' at the end of the Blackboard Quiz to submit your answers.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed before the due date and time of the assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Online Laboratory Exercises
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 33%
- Due date
18/09/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
Students will be required to complete the online laboratory exercises each week, and submit online as one compiled document.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submitted as one document compiling all practical material from the semester to the specific assessment submission link on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed before the due date and time of the assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Sequential Pre-practical quiz 7
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 1%
- Due date
18/09/2024 1:00 pm
Task description
Students will be required to read the practical manual for the pracs being conducted in that week and together with lecture notes, complete a pre-practical quiz prior to each weekly prac class via blackboard (1% each).
Soil and plant microbial communities
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Click 'Save and Submit' at the end of the Blackboard Quiz to submit your answers.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed before the due date and time of the assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
Task description
The exam will cover all material presented throughout the course.
The exam will be an on-campus exam. Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams. Students enrolled in External delivery must attend the exam in-person at an approved off-campus venue.
The exam will be a theory exam and past exam papers can be found on the UQ Library website: https://www.library.uq.edu.au/exams/papers.php?
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Refer to Additional course grading information - 'Course grading rules and assessment hurdles'.Exam details
Planning time | 10 minutes |
---|---|
Duration | 90 minutes |
Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
Exam platform | Paper based |
Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
Grade | Description |
---|---|
1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 0 - 34% |
2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 35 - 46% |
3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: 47% - 49% |
4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 50% - 64% |
5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 65% - 74% |
6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 75% - 84% |
7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 85% - 100% |
Additional course grading information
COURSE GRADING RULES AND ASSESSMENT HURDLES
Students must score 50% or greater in the end-of-semester exam in order to pass the course.
If a student obtains an overall percentage greater than the cut-offs set to achieve a 4 or higher for the course based on the cumulative mark of all assessments, and the student does NOT score a result greater than 50% in the final exam, they are unable to achieve a grade higher than a 3 (failing grade) for the course.
You must address any additional assessment requirements identified in this eCP.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Course Feedback
Students are encouraged to give feedback on the course either to the course coordinator directly or through SECATs.
Please note the following when writing assignments
You must not re-use past work from previous assessments in your assignments.
TurnItInᅠ
Assignments that are required to be submitted through TurnItIn, must only be uploaded to the assessment specific Turnitin link on the relevant course Blackboard site. If you submit any version of your assessment item to any alternative Turnitin link, this is considered cheating and you will be held liable for this action.
Release of marks
Unless specifically indicated by the lecturer involved,ᅠevery attempt will be made to haveᅠthe results for progressive assessment tasks available within 3 weeks of submission. For items of assessment submitted in the last 2 weeks of the semester, the results will be available before the day of your end of semester examination in the course, unless otherwise indicated by the Course Coordinator. Results and feedback availability will be advised to you by email or announced via the course Blackboard site.ᅠ
Re-mark Applicationsᅠ– refer to the University's Re-mark Policy to check your eligibility
Before applying for a remark, students should consider the following:
- You have consulted the course coordinator for feedback.
- Your academic grounds for remark have been discussed and are valid.
- Wanting a higher grade is not grounds for a remark. A remark can decrease your grade.
Remark applications will not be considered without first having contacted your course Co-ordinator.ᅠ
Deferred and Supplementary assessment (including Deferred In-Semester Examinations)
Deferred and Supplementary information can be located on the my.UQ website
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Supplementary textbooks: ᅠ Madigan, MT, Martinko, JM & Stahl, D, & Clark D 2012, Brockᅠ Biology of Microorganisms,ᅠ13th edn, Pearson, Upper Saddle River, NJ.
QR41.B718 2012 ᅠ General microbiology ᅠ Lim, DV 2003, Microbiology, 3rd ᅠedn, Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque, Iowa. QR41.2 .L55 2003. ᅠᅠ Pelczar, MJ, Chan, ECS & Krieg, NR 1993, Microbiology: concepts and applications, McGraw-Hill, New York. ᅠQR41.P42 1993 ᅠ Prescott, LM, Harley, JP & Klein, DA 2005, Microbiology,ᅠ6th edn, Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Dubuque, IA. QR41.2.P74 2005 ᅠ Quinn, PJ, Markey, BK, Leonard, FC, FitzPatrick, ES, Fanning, S & Hartigan, PJ 2011, Veterinary microbiology and microbial disease, 2nd ᅠedn, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex, UK. ᅠSF780.2 .V48 2011 ᅠ and online. ᅠ Tortora, GJ, Funke, BR & Case, CL 2013, Microbiology : an introduction, 11th ᅠedn, Pearson, Boston. ᅠQR41.2 .T67 2013ᅠᅠ ᅠ ᅠ Applied microbiology ᅠ Brown, MH (ed.) 1982, Meat Microbiology, Applied Science, New York. ᅠQR117.M43 1982 ᅠ Ewing, WN & Tucker, LA 2008, The living gut, 2nd ᅠedn, Nottingham University Press, Nottingham. QR171.G29 E95 2008ᅠ and online. ᅠ Hobson, PN & Stewart, CS (eds) 1997, The Rumen Microbial Ecosystem, Blackie Academic & Professional, London. QR171.R85 R86 1997 ᅠ Robinson, RK (ed.) 2002, Dairy Microbiology Handbook,ᅠ3rd edn,ᅠWiley InterScience, New York. QR121.D322 2002 ᅠ Woolcock, JB (ed.) 1991, Microbiology of Animals and Animal Products, Elsevier, Amsterdam. ᅠSF780.2.M53 1991 ᅠ ᅠᅠ Microbial diseases ᅠ Quinn, PJ, Markey, BK, Leonard, FC, FitzPatrick, ES, Fanning, S & Hartigan, PJ 2011, Veterinary microbiology and microbial disease, 2nd ᅠedn, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex, UK. ᅠSF780.2 .V48 2011ᅠ and online.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
---|---|---|
Lecture |
REVISION - no lectures |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.