Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (17/02/2025 - 14/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Dutton Park
- Coordinating unit
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences School
Pharmaceutical microbiology relating to the principles and practice of pharmacy, prevention of infection, and sterile dosage forms. Principles governing the development and use of radiopharmaceuticals and biologics.
This course provides knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of medical and pharmaceutical microbiology, especially those relating to pharmaceutical sterilisation and disinfection, and governing the prevention of infection. The content explores the biology and diagnostic principles of bacterial and viral infections and the role of the human microbiome in health and therapeutics. You will study and apply physicochemical and microbiological principles to sterile dosage forms (namely parenteral and ophthalmic) and consider radiopharmaceuticals - their application in human health and the role of radiopharmacists. You will investigate the development of biologics, including antibodies and recombinant therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and gene-based therapeutics.
Course requirements
Assumed background
You are expected to have completed and understood the concepts covered in PHRM2201 Pharmaceutical Sciences 2A, and PHRM2202 Pharmaceutical Sciences 2B.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PHRM2201, PHRM2202
Restrictions
2373 - Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Tutor
Dr Zeinab Khalil
Laboratory coordinator
Ms Sue Therkelsen
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course will provide knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of medical and pharmaceutical microbiology. You will explore the biology and diagnostic principles of bacterial and viral infections and the role of the human microbiome in health and therapeutics. You will study and apply physiochemical and microbiological principles to sterile dosage forms, namely parenteral and ophthalmic, and radiopharmaceuticals. You will investigate the development of biologics, including antibodies and recombinant therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and gene-based therapeutics.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Discriminate between the major groups of microbial pathogens by understanding the basic classification and functional anatomy of microbes.
LO2.
Identify the properties of relevant bacteria that govern laboratory identification and clinical reporting.
LO3.
Use appropriate and safe laboratory techniques to identify and study microorganisms.
LO4.
Apply knowledge of infectious agents to disinfectant selection, sterilisation practices and the design and implementation of policies and procedures to prevent infection.
LO5.
Explain how the human microbiome influences health and therapeutics.
LO6.
Identify formulation design considerations applicable to sterile dosage forms.
LO7.
Explain what radiopharmaceuticals are and their basic applications.
LO8.
Discuss the production, applications and delivery challenges of relevant biological drugs (e.g. recombinant therapeutic proteins, antibodies).
LO9.
Explain the principles involved in the design and manufacture of vaccines.
LO10.
Demonstrate an ability to apply principles of therapeutic nucleic acid delivery.
LO11.
Apply knowledge of biological drugs (e.g. peptides, proteins, monoclonal antibodies, nucleic acids) to explain their applications and delivery challenges and clinical use.
LO12.
Identify credible scientific sources and interpret and evaluate the information therein.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Quiz on a scientific article on the microbiome
|
20% |
25/03/2025 2:00 pm
Complete during the 6 days prior to the deadline. |
| Quiz |
Quiz series - Practical Schedule 1 and 2
|
20% (10% for each quiz) |
Quiz 1 - 15/04/2025 2:00 pm Quiz 2 - 27/05/2025 2:00 pm
Complete during the 6 days prior to each deadline. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assignment - prevention of infection | 20% |
6/05/2025 2:00 pm
Submit during the 6 days prior to the deadline. |
| Examination |
On campus-invigilated digital examination
|
40% |
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
Quiz on a scientific article on the microbiome
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
25/03/2025 2:00 pm
Complete during the 6 days prior to the deadline.
- Learning outcomes
- L05, L12
Task description
This assessment will comprise a high-quality research article on the microbiome that students can read and familiarise themselves with, followed by an online digital quiz on the content of the article.
- The quiz is made of automatically marked questions such as MCQs, multiple answer questions, drag and drop, matching, ordering etc.
- One attempt is permitted. Once started, you will have 20 minutes to complete the quiz.
- Consult Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for more details and marking criteria
- This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The quiz will be accessed via a link in the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 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.
Quiz series - Practical Schedule 1 and 2
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20% (10% for each quiz)
- Due date
Quiz 1 - 15/04/2025 2:00 pm
Quiz 2 - 27/05/2025 2:00 pm
Complete during the 6 days prior to each deadline.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Quiz 1 will be based on Practical Schedule 1 (i.e. 1a and 1b), and Quiz 2 will be based on Practical Schedule 2 (i.e. 2a and 2b).
- Each quiz comprises automatically marked questions, such as multiple-choice questions (MCQ) to test the knowledge and understanding gained from the practicals and as part of self-directed learning.
- Questions will be drawn from pools such that students will have equivalent questions.
- One attempt is permitted. Once started, you will have 20 minutes to complete each quiz.
- Marking criteria are available on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The quizzes will be accessed via a link in the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 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.
Assignment - prevention of infection
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
6/05/2025 2:00 pm
Submit during the 6 days prior to the deadline.
- Learning outcomes
- L04, L12
Task description
This take-home assignment will examine understanding and application of the knowledge of microorganisms to the design of procedures to prevent their transmission.
- Students are advised to refer to the task description and marking criteria on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) technologies, successful completion of the assessment will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submission will be via a link in the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 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.
On campus-invigilated digital examination
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12
Task description
- The end-of-semester written examination will be based on all aspects of the course, including material covered in practical classes, workshops and self-directed UQ extend content.
- The exam will be undertaken via the Inspera eAssessment platform (as will any deferred or supplementary written exams). Go to the Inspera Assessment Information page link to navigate to the Library Services web page which provides further information on: how to access Inspera, on-campus invigilated exams in Inspera, device requirements, familiarisation opportunities, submitting assessment and access to the Student Laptop Scheme and short-term laptop-loans.
- This assessment task is to be completed in person.
- The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
To pass the course you must achieve 50% or more in the end of semester examination.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| 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) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
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.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop for EoS exam | You can borrow a laptop from the Library if you do not have a suitable device for your exam. Loans are for 24 hours or 28 days and stocks are limited. | own item needed |
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 |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
Not Timetabled |
Content for Weeks 1-11 UQ Extend content is to be studied before attending each corresponding workshop Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Workshop |
Workshops Workshops are offered to explain and apply the UQ Extend content. Refer to your timetable for time and location. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 12 |
Practical |
Practicals Refer to your timetable for the time and date allocated to your group for each of the four practical sessions. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: