Course coordinator
Dr Selwin Samuel
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Herston
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- Dentistry School
A comprehensive understanding of infectious agents and the host response to them is central to the safe practice of Dentistry. This course identifies relevant core concepts in Microbiology and Immunology, and will introduce the student to the characteristics and behaviour of infectious agents, and the functioning of the human immune system. Specifically, it will describe the essential elements of innate and adaptive immunity, their relationship to each other, and their responses to challenges with common pathogens. Topics will focus on infections (oral and non-oral) important in the practice of dentistry. Although a theoretical underpinning will be necessary for a full grasp of the topic, the emphasis will be on human studies and human disease, rather than the scientific experiments and discoveries that validate particular principles. The course aims to provide a firm foundation for the progressive development of the clinical aspects of both disciplines as students progress into third year.
This course is designed to provide the students with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse microbial communities present in the mouth, their impact on oral and general health, and the intricate workings of the immune system with a specific focus on its responses to microorganisms capable of causing oral and systemic diseases.
The lectures have been significantly revised to enrich the student learning experience, and students are encouraged to develop habits of self-directed learning, promoting the capacity to critically evaluate issues relevant to dental practice.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students will have satisfied requirements for entry into the second year of the BDSc(Hons) program.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
DENT1020, DENT1050, DENT1060, DENT1061
Companion or co-requisite courses
You'll need to complete the following courses at the same time:
DENT2060, DENT2070
Course contact
Lecturer
Dr Selwin Samuel
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Jaya Seneviratne
Dr Richard Lobb
Guest lecturer
Dr Sara Jose
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
On the completion of this course, the student should be familiar with fundamental basics of immunology and microbiology, immune system development and maturation, common immunological disorders relevant to dentistry,ﾠthe microbiological features of common infectious agents relevant to dental practice, with the various ways of controlling the spread of infection, and with the immunological principles that underly the body's ability to respond to injury or challenge with infectious agents.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
35% |
In-semester Saturday 29/03/2025 - 12/04/2025 |
| Presentation |
Infographic Creation and Oral Presentation
|
25% |
16/05/2025 4:00 pm
Infographic submission due 16 May 2025 4:00pm; Oral presentation will be scheduled in Week 12. |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
40% Must Pass |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
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
In-Semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
In-semester Saturday
29/03/2025 - 12/04/2025
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited.
Task description
The In-Semester Exam is scheduled to take place through Inspera. The exam will last for 60 minutes.
To participate, students must have a laptop with the Inspera safe browser installed. It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes early for ID verification and to set up the locked browser on the computers. Students should ensure their laptops are fully charged and bring a charger.
For those without a laptop and internet access (connect to Eduroam), the option to borrow a laptop from the Library may be available (https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/laptop-loans).
Once the exam commences, access will be restricted to the Inspera test browser, and communication via email on the device used for the exam will not be possible.
To minimise disruptions, students are advised to turn off phones and other devices (including wearables and tablets), either store them in lockers and bags, or place them face down on the floor.
Late arrivals are allowed to join the exam, but no additional time will be granted. The exam will automatically submit after 1 hour from the scheduled start time.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Infographic Creation and Oral Presentation
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
16/05/2025 4:00 pm
Infographic submission due 16 May 2025 4:00pm; Oral presentation will be scheduled in Week 12.
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited.
Task description
For this assessment, your task is to explore relevant literature in the field of oral microbiology and immunology, synthesising key findings to create an informative and visually compelling infographic tailored for a peer audience with a solid grasp of health and science concepts. The infographic should effectively convey scientific information in an engaging manner.
Following the creation of the infographic, you are required to submit it via Blackboard using the assignment link provided (accessible two weeks before the due date). Additionally, you will present your findings during a designated session, strictly adhering to a 3-minute time limit. Attendance is strongly encouraged, as this not only facilitates comprehension of peers' presentations but also enhances your overall understanding of the subject matter for optimal performance in the final exam.
This assessment serves a dual purpose:
- Evaluate your proficiency in critically assessing arguments and integrating evidence from peer-reviewed literature and other relevant sources to support your own perspective.
- Assess your capability to articulate scientific concepts accurately and engagingly. This is to be demonstrated through the creation of an oral health infographic and the verbal explanation of a concept within the fields of oral microbiology and immunology.
Submission guidelines
Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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.
End of Semester Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40% Must Pass
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited.
Task description
The final exam is scheduled to take place in-person through Inspera during the Exam Period (Central). This is a MUST PASS assessment item (achieve a minimum of 50% to pass). The exam will last for 120 minutes and will cover content from Week 1 to 13 inclusive.
To participate, students must have a laptop with the Inspera safe browser installed. It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes early for ID verification and to set up the locked browser on their computers. Students should ensure their laptops are fully charged and bring a charger.
For those without a laptop and internet access (connect to Eduroam), the option to borrow a laptop from the Library may be available (https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/laptop-loans).
Once the exam commences, access will be restricted to the Inspera test browser, and communication via email on the device used for the exam will not be possible.
To minimise disruptions, students are advised to turn off phones and other devices (including wearables and tablets), either store them in lockers and bags, or place them face down on the floor.
Late arrivals are allowed to join the exam, but no additional time will be granted. The exam will automatically submit after 2 hours from the scheduled start time.
Hurdle requirements
This is a MUST PASS assessment item (achieve a minimum of 60% to pass).Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| 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 | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of less than 20% |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 20% but less than 45% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 45% but less than 50% OR Attains the overall pass mark BUT has failed the hurdle requirement/s |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 50% but less than 65% AND has passed the hurdle requirement/s |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 65% but less than 75% AND has passed the hurdle requirement/s |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall marks of 75% but less than 85% AND has passed the hurdle requirement/s |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall marks of 85% AND has passed the hurdle requirement/s |
Additional course grading information
Students must attemptﾠallﾠassessment tasks.
The end of year written examination is a hurdle requirementﾠwhich must be passed in order to pass the course overall.
Overall mark will be rounded to the nearest whole number in computing score. For example, 74.50 and above will be rounded up to 75 and 74.49 will be rounded down to 74.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
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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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 11 |
Lecture |
Weekly Lecture Series Fundamentals of oral microbiology and immunology. |
Tutorial |
Tutorials The tutorials and group discussions will cover topics such as prevalent oral and dental infections, laboratory tests related to microbiology, disorders of the immune system, and protocols for sterilisation and disinfection. |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Workshop |
Oral Presentation Team presentations on topics relevant to oral microbiology and immunology. |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Workshop |
Course Summary |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: