HSC - 331 Microbiology

This course will provide a review of the general biology of infectious agents and the basic concepts and principles of immunology, including medically important microorganisms and their relationship to disease. Identification of selected groups of pathogens, epidemiology, mechanisms causing disease and the biological basis for resistance will be covered. Identification, classification, cellular structure, pathogenic mechanisms, genetics, epidemiology, serology, and prevention and treatment of disease will be described. Specimen collection and the isolation and identification of medically important bacteria will be described and mechanisms of antimicrobial activity and antibiotic susceptibility testing are discussed. Colony morphology of clinically important bacteria and procedures used in the identification of bacteria isolates, including the gram stain and various biochemical assays, will be discussed. These activities are then applied to the identification of unknown bacterial isolates found in patient specimens. Prerequisite: Departmental permission. Credit Hours: (5)