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LSC-20073 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 04 March 2025

LSC-20073 - Microbes, Viruses and Parasites
Coordinator: Helen Price Room: N/A Tel: +44 1782 7 34219
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

In this module, you will study the biochemistry of bacteria, viruses and parasites and how specific mechanisms and pathways affect disease. You will be introduced to a range of pathogenic organisms (including SARS-CoV-2), the diseases they cause and strategies used to control them. Topics covered by the module will include: an introduction to epidemiology and managing disease outbreaks; ways in which parasites adapt to changing environments in order to survive; how drugs work to kill a range of pathogens; factors that cause some bacterial strains to be more pathogenic than others; introduction to the biology of viruses; why we can use single vaccines against some viruses and not others; application of selected viruses as research tools.
Please note that either LSC-20015 or LSC-20073 is a pre-requisite for taking the module LSC-30036.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to a range of pathogens and their associated biochemistry. Students will also learn about scientific writing. They will write an essay in the style and format of a textbook section and a report on containment of a disease outbreak.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/lsc-20073/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

discuss key biochemical processes in bacteria, viruses and parasites and link these to diagnostic tools and methods of disease control: 1,2
locate and analyse information on pathogens and diseases they cause using a range of library-based and online resources: 1,2
communicate effectively using a scientific writing style: 1,2
discuss ethics and sustainability issues in terms of global health: 1,2
describe the adaptations used by a range of pathogens to survive in challenging environments: 1,2

Study hours

12 x 1 hour tutorials
12 x 5 hours engagement with asynchronous content
30 hours completion of textbook ICA
30 hours completion of report ICA
18 hours of independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 50%
A textbook section (1,200 words)


2: Report weighted 50%
Report on containment of a disease outbreak (1,200 words)


The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 March 2025