The course will describe how ecological factors play an important role in animal health. For example the gain and loss of strains from a host, within host population dynamics, e.g. competition, and among host dynamics, e.g. transmission. Transmission will be examined in the light of many recent studies looking at how social networks are important determinants of disease transmission in a population. Many of these questions will be addressed looking at individual bacterial species and a variety of hosts, both human and animal.
The course will also look at the animal microbial communities, and their role in nutrition, disease prevention, and as a cause of disease. The course would include topics related to the diversity of host associated microbial communities, including the factors affecting the composition and stability of these communities.
The course will include a significant section on the evolution of bacterial genomes and accessory elements, in particular the evolution of virulence and bacterial adaptation. The course would emphasise the fact that bacteria evolve in ‘real time’ as it were and that new pathogens are continually emerging. For example, the newly evolved E. coli intestinal pathogen that caused disease outbreaks in Europe.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, student will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Investigate the processes responsible for shaping the clonal composition of
a bacterial species as well as the bacterial community composition within a
host.
2. Critically evaluate how the human gut microbiota influences human health.
3. Critically evaluate how spatial relationships and social interactions
determine bacterial transmission among hosts.
4. Investigate and analyse quantitatively the processes that underlie bacterial
genome evolution.
5. Apply a range of bioinformatics techniques used in comparative genomics.
6. Employ high order laboratory techniques.
Other Information
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on:- 70% Final practical report (LO-1-5)
- 30% Final examination (LO 1-5)
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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Workload
2 Lectures per week and a 3-hour practical per week.Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
NilAssumed Knowledge
Have completed 1st and 2nd year biology courses and completion of 96 units toward a degreeSpecialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8680 | 27 Jul 2020 | 03 Aug 2020 | 31 Aug 2020 | 30 Oct 2020 | In Person | View |