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Unit of study_

MICR3888: Microbiology Interdisciplinary Project

2024 unit information

Many challenges require knowledge that extends across multiple disciplines. Therefore, the ability to identify interdisciplinary knowledge is needed and establish links to develop integrated solutions is a crucial skill in the modern world. This is especially relevant to microbiology. This unit presents the opportunity to bring together the concepts and skills you have learnt in microbiology and team up with students from other disciplines to apply them to a real-world problem. You will work on a project related to the production of safe, health-promoting foods. Nutrition-related chronic diseases are a major challenge for 21st century society owing to their huge socio-economic burden and their multifactorial nature. The problem your group is assigned will be based on real world examples and considered from multiple angles that may include: How government should make decisions regarding approval/regulation of a new food product; How a company might approach production, optimization, and marketing of a new food, and; How the health claims and/or safety of a food product can be assessed or improved. Each of these angles requires knowledge from multiple disciplines and a sound understanding of microbiology is highly important. In this unit, you will receive microbiology-specific training, in addition to collaborating with students from other disciplines on project-based learning; identifying and solving problems, collecting and analysing data and communicating your findings to a diverse audience. All of these skills are highly valued by employers across the spectrum from education to industry to government.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations

Code MICR3888
Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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6cp from (MIMI2X02 or MEDS2004 or MICR2X22 or BMED2404) and 6 cp from (MICR2X31 or MICR2X21 or MICR2024)
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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Fundamental concepts of microorganisms, biomolecules and ecosystems

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Apply disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context.
  • LO2. Find, define and delimit authentic problems in order to address them.
  • LO3. Create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes.
  • LO4. Analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills.
  • LO5. Demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams.
  • LO6. Collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solution(s) to the project problems.
  • LO7. Communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.

Important enrolment information

Additional advice

The project component of MICR3888 is done in conjunction with students from NUTM3888 and FOOD3888 and contributes 70% of the unit of study. The microbiology-specific component is 30% and includes both practical work and lecture content. This unit is a core unit for the Microbiology major and strongly recommended for students wishing to complete this major.