Dr Yinghong Zhou
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- 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.
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.
Students are encouraged to develop habits of self-directed learning, promoting the capacity to critically evaluate issues relevant to dental practice.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
DENT7001
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
DENT2044
Restrictions
Restricted to students in the DDM program only.
Course staff
Course coordinator
Lecturer
Dr Yinghong Zhou
Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo
Associate Professor Jaya Seneviratne
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to give students an understanding of the basics of immunology and microbiology, immune system development and maturation, common immunological disorders relevant to dentistry, and the microbiological features of common infectious agents relevant to dental practice. In addition, students will become familiar with the various ways of controlling the spread of infection, and with the immunological principles that underlie the body's ability to respond to injury or challenge with infectious agents.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Define the pathways by which microorganisms cause the major diseases encountered in dental clinical practice.
LO2.
Appraise the various methods used to contain infection and prevent its spread, at the level of the site and the patient.
LO3.
Explain the various host immune responses.
LO4.
Explain the aetiology and epidemiology of major dental diseases.
LO5.
Apply understanding of host responses to common dental diseases and conditions.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation, Portfolio |
Digital Presentation
|
25% |
2/04/2026 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique, Portfolio |
Literature Review
|
30% |
21/05/2026 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
45% Must Pass |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
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
Digital Presentation
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation, Portfolio
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
2/04/2026 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05
Task description
For this assessment, you are required to develop a recorded digital presentation that examines a clinical setting of your choice. In your presentation, you should clearly illustrate how this environment may create potential pathways for microorganisms to be transmitted and contribute to disease development in patients.
You must also provide a detailed description and critical evaluation of the infection prevention and control measures implemented at the site level. This should include an analysis of how these strategies reduce the risk of cross-contamination and limit the spread of infectious agents within the clinical environment.
Your discussion should demonstrate an understanding of microbiological risks in healthcare settings and the practical application of infection control principles to protect both patients and healthcare personnel.
Submission guidelines
Blackboard/ePortfolio
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.
Literature Review
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Portfolio
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
21/05/2026 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05
Task description
For this task, you are required to write a literature review examining host immune responses to a common dental disease of your choice. Your review should synthesise current evidence on the key immune cells, mediators, and pathways involved in disease initiation and progression, and critically evaluate how these responses contribute to tissue damage and/or protection. Where relevant, discuss clinical implications, including how immune mechanisms inform prevention, diagnosis, or treatment strategies.
Submission guidelines
Blackboard/ePortfolio
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
- 45% Must Pass
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The end-of-semester exam will be conducted in person via Inspera during the Central Examination Period. This is a must-pass assessment item, requiring a minimum mark of 60% to pass. The exam duration is 120 minutes and will include multiple-choice, multiple-response, and short-answer questions. Content may be drawn from, but is not limited to, lecture slides, tutorial materials, and Blackboard resources. This assessment is designed to evaluate students’ breadth and depth of learning, including both theoretical understanding and applied practical knowledge developed throughout the Semester 1 course.
To participate, students must have a laptop with the Inspera safe browser installed. It is recommended to arrive 10 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.
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. |
| 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 all hurdle requirements. |
| 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 all hurdle requirements. |
| 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 all hurdle requirements. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 85% AND has passed all hurdle requirements. |
Additional course grading information
Percentage marks will be rounded to the nearest whole number i.e. 84.4% will round down to 84% and 84.5% will round up to 85%. This will apply to all grade cutoffs apart from a grade of 4.
The minimum pass mark is 50% and a pass cannot be achieved with 49.5%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
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
Library resources are available 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 12 |
Workshop |
Workshop Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 11 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (25 May - 31 May) |
Workshop |
Course Summary Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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
- AI for Assessment Guide
- Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: