Outline

Overview

Our ever-changing world requires knowledge that extends across multiple disciplines. The ability to identify and explore interdisciplinary links is a crucial skill for emerging professionals and researchers alike. This unit presents the opportunity to bring together the concepts and skills you have learnt in your discipline and apply them to a real-world problem. For example, you will work on a project titled 'beating the superbugs' an interdisciplinary project that assesses the pipeline of anti-microbial discovery and delivery based on discipline skills in bacterial and viral infections, medicinal chemistry and drug development, pharmacodynamics, anti-microbial resistance, and disease control and cure. In this unit, you will continue to understand and explore disciplinary knowledge, while also meeting and collaborating with students from across the University through 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. This unit will foster the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, and this is essential for both professional and research pathways in future.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	INFD3888
Academic unit	Infectious Diseases and Immunology
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	12cp from [(MEDS2004 or MIMI2002 or MIMI2902 or BMED2404) or (MICR2022 or MICR2922 or MICR2031 or MICR2931) or (MEDS2003 or BCMB2001 or BCMB2901) or (IMMU2011 or IMMU2911)]
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jim Manos, jim.manos@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jim Manos, jim.manos@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	reflective statement submit online via turnitin	5%	-	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Final exam (Record+)	Final theory exam Written SAQ exam	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research Project Project report	30%	STUVAC	3000 words (by turnitin).
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project Proposal submit online	15%	Week 06	1000 words via Turnitin
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	peer evaluation for group work peer evaluation	10%	Week 09	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	research topic Oral Presentation	10%	Week 12	20 minutes (10min +10 min questions)
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Project proposal: For this assessment you will use your scenario, literature and peer discussion to identify a knowledge gap or question. You will then introduce your associatedproject, and justify your question and approach.

Peer evaluation: you will use a supplied template to evaluate your peers and interdisciplinary group work.

Final presentation: with your group you will present orally the outcomes of your group interdisciplinary project in an online live or recorded presentation.

Final report: you will prepare a group report on your project, including your methods and approach, results and discussion, and supplementary material (e.g. lab book).

Final exam: will include questions that require an understanding of the theory behind antibiotic resistance; how it develops and how it can be overcome. The material supporting you in your learning for these questions includes material delivered in lectures, and importantly, laboratory work. Your active involvement in these activities is therefore strongly encouraged.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).
As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.
Grade Mark Criteria
FAIL (<50%) The main point of the task is not answered. Content of the answer is irrelevant and fails to address the question
or task. Presentation, grammar or structure is so unclear that the answer cannot be understood. Evidence of
plagiarism; inadequate attendance at practical classes and lectures.
PASS (50%-65%) A pass grade may be awarded if the work is of an acceptable standard and the following applies: Only one
aspect of the question is answered and is incomplete. It contains evidence of a rudimentary understanding of
the subject matter. A reasonable attempt has been made to organise material logically and comprehensibly.
The work may contain irregularities of style and expression that do not, however, interfere with meaning.
CREDIT (65%-75%)
A credit grade may be awarded if the criteria for a pass grade are met in addition to the following: The work is
competent and all parts are answered fully and accurately. There is evidence of additional reading. There is
demonstration of good selection of evidence and critical evaluation of material. Independent thought is
demonstrated. It is presented in a clear and logical style.
DISTINCTION (75%-85%) A distinction grade may be awarded if the work fulfills all the criteria outlined for a credit, but in addition, is of a
superior standard and demonstrates the following: The student demonstrates advanced critical understanding
of the principles underlying the unit of study. The work demonstrates initiative in research and reading.
HIGH DISTINCTION (85%-100%)
A high distinction grade may be awarded if the work fulfills all the criteria outlined for a distinction, but in addition is of exceptional quality and demonstrates outstanding critical understanding of the principles underlying the unit of study.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Project Proposal and Final Presentation: No mark will be awarded if these oral presentations are not given on the specified dates. Peer evaluation: must be submitted on the specified date to receive a mark. Final report: 10% loss of mark for each day late. Exam: If you don't sit the exam for reasons of illness or misadventure, a valid special consideration submission is required for sitting the replacement exam.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
-	Weekly workshops/ tutorials in your interdisciplinary groups to plan projects, present progress to peers and receive feedback, and gain exposure to other group's projects and learning experience.	Workshop (2 hr)
-	Weekly practical activities covering all aspects of investigation including: literature searching, collaborative project design, laboratory classwork on antibiotic susceptibility validation and optimization, project execution, and analysis and synthesis of results.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 01	Introductory class- overview of the problem	Online class (1 hr)
Week 02	Antibiotics and resistance- Incidence and prevalence	Online class (1 hr)
Week 03	Staphylococci and antibiotic resistance	Online class (1 hr)
Week 04	Antibiotic resistance mechanisms	Online class (1 hr)
Week 05	Molecular Detection Methods	Online class (1 hr)
Week 06	Methicillin and Vancomycin resistance	Online class (1 hr)
Week 07	Drug manufacturing and Approval	Online class (1 hr)
Week 08	Methods and Approaches Case Study -respiratory infection	Online class (1.5 hr)
Week 09	Plasmid derived resistance- a clinical perspective	Online class (1 hr)
Week 10	New Drug Approval & Manufacturing	Online class (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures: 1 x 1hr per week

Workshops: 1x 2hr per week

Practical classes: 1x 3hr per week

Attendance at all classes is required to gain an understanding of this unit and conduct/complete the group work.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Evaluate and assess scientific ideas and concepts
LO2. Demonstrate competence and effectiveness in scientific communication
LO3. Apply disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context.
LO4. Understand the mechanisms of antibiotic action and how it is evaluated, and understand how antibiotic resistance develops.
LO5. Create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes.
LO6. Demonstrate an ability to collaborate effectively with students from different areas of specialisation and across cultural boundaries
LO7. Use digital resources to collaborate effectively within and between disciplines

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit is being offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

INFD3888: Infectious Diseases Interdisciplinary Project

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect