NURSING 1006 - Microbiology and Infection Control

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

Microbiology and Infection Control provides nursing students with the skills and knowledge to prevent the transmission of organisms in health care settings. The principles of infection control are coupled with the science of microbial transmission and reproduction. Students gain knowledge of the most important bacterial, fungal, parasitical and viral infections. The use of personal protective equipment and the ability to establish and maintain a sterile field are core skills of nurses. The role of the immune system in defence of the human body is examined and emphasis is placed on the recognition of inflammation.

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Course Details

Course Code	NURSING 1006
Course	Microbiology and Infection Control
Coordinating Unit	Adelaide Nursing School
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Restrictions	Bachelor of Nursing
Assessment	Mid-Semester online quiz, preparation and maintenance of a sterile field, exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Ms Janet Smith

Course Coordinator: Dr David Foley
Phone: +61 8 8313 1758
Fax: +61 8 8313 3594
Email: david.foley@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Adelaide Nursing School, The 成人大片

Lecturer: Dr Frank Donnelly
Phone: +61 8 8313 3639
Email: frank.donnelly@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Adelaide Nursing School, The 成人大片

School Office
Phone: +61 8 8313 3595
Fax: +61 8 8313 3594
Email: pre_registration@adelaide.edu.au

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Content will be organised into online lectures, face to face tutorials and skills. Presented in the following order:

Online Lectures
L1. Introduction
L2. Classification of Microorganisms
L3. Bacterial Growth & Reproduction
L4. Bacterial Pathogenesis (and begin viruses)
L5. Role of Viruses in Causing Illness (I)
L6. Role of Viruses in Causing Illness (II)
L7. Innate Immunity
L8. Inflammation & Pain
L9. Acquired Immunity
L10. Antigens & Antibodies
L11. Cell Mediated Immunity
L12. Standard Precautions
L13. Sterilisation, Disinfection & Cleaning
L14. Wound Field Theory
L15. Health Care Associated Infection
L16. Isolation & Infectious Disease
L17. Managing Infections
L18. OHS of Infection Control
Catch up lecture or review
L19. Transmission of Disease
L20. Fungi
L21. Parasites

Tutorials
T1. Microorganisms
T2. Viruses
T3. Immunity
T4. Immunity 2

Practicals
Hand Hygiene Practical
Personal Protective Equipment - Gloving and Gowning Practical
Aseptic Technique Practical

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Describe common disease causing microorganisms and their classification.
2	Describe the reproduction of important bacterial, fungal, viral pathogens.
3	Understand the role of bacterial pathogenesis.
4	Identify the role of the acquired and innate immune systems.
5	Learn how infectious organisms cause disease and challenge the body’s immune defence.
6	Recognise infection control practices that prevent the spread of infection.
7	Demonstrate skills in standard precautions including gowning and gloving and the use of personal protective equipment.
8	Relate infection control practices to the control and containment of microorganisms.
9	Understand the chain of infection and how to create a sterile field in nursing environments.
10	Provide a baseline of practice and knowledge for safe interaction with patients in isolation.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	7, 9 and 10
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1 - 10
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	10
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	10
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	9
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	6, 7 and 10

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Lee, G & Bishop, P 2015 Microbiology and Infection Control for Health Professionals, 6th edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest.

Recommended Resources

Online Learning

Online materials to support the course content will be provided through MyUni.

Learning & Teaching Modes

Online lectures – Online lectures will be offered in a synchronous format. This will offer learning opportunities and enable students to quickly clarify complex descriptions and terminology. Much of the content for this course is supported by textbooks with web page and e-learning supports (e.g. flash cards for revision). The Adelaide Nursing School supports the audio and video capture of lecture content as an aid to revision.

Tutorials - tutorial sessions enable small group discussion and peer interaction around the content. Each tutorial session will focus on the lecture content.

Simulated Learning Environments (SLE) and Skills – the simulated learning environment provides students an opportunity to practice a range of infection control skills prior to attending clinical placement. Importantly the SLE also enables clearly constructed, well considered clinical scenarios which nurture and challenge student development. The Robin Warren Skills Laboratory within the Faculty of Health Sciences provides a state of the art clinical training venue with dedicated nursing lecturers with expertise in low fidelity simulation. Students will learn to create and maintain a sterile field and will participate in a scenario of caring for a patient in isolation. Special emphasis on hand washing, gowning and gloving practices will be made.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The workload for this course requires attendance at:
• 24 hours of online lectures / semester
• 4 x 1 hour tutorials / semester
• 3 x 2 hour skills and practicals/ semester

Non-contact hours for assessment and tutorial preparation will be approximately 5 hours per week.

Learning Activities Summary

The tables below indicate the lecture, tutorial and SLE series outlines for Microbiology and Infection Control. Other tutorials may be provided as required.

Week	Topic	Assessment/Other
1	L1. Introduction to Microbiology L2. Classification Of Microorganisms T1. Microorganisms (for students in tutorial group 1 & 2)
2	L3. Bacterial Growth & Reproduction L4. Bacterial Pathogenesis T1. Microorganisms (for students in tutorial group 3 & 4)
3	L5. Role of Viruses in Causing Illness (I) L6. Role of Viruses in Causing Illness (II) T2. Viruses (for students in tutorial group 1 & 2)
4	L7. Fungi L8. Parasites T2. Viruses (for students in tutorial group 3 & 4)
5	L9. Innate Immunity L10. Inflammation & Pain L11. Acquired Immunity T3. Immunity 1 (for students in tutorial group 1 & 2)
6	L12. Antigens & Antibodies L13. Cell Mediated Immunity T3. Immunity 1 (for students in tutorial group 3 & 4)
	Mid-Semester Break	Online Formative Test
7	L14. Transmission of Disease L15. Health Care Associated Infection T4. Immunity 2 (for students in tutorial group 1 & 2)
8	L16. OHS of Infection Control L17. Standard Precautions T4. Immunity 2 (for students in tutorial group 3 & 4)
9	L18. Sterilisation, Disinfection & Cleaning L19. Isolation & Infectious Disease SLE1. Wound dressing practice (Gp 1)
10	L20. Wound Field Theory L21. Infectious Trends SLE1. Wound dressing practice (Gp 2)
11	SLE 1. Wound dressing practice (Gp 3)	Preparation & Maintenance of a Sterile Field
12	L22. Managing Infections T5. Use & Application of PPE SLE1. Wound dressing practice (Gp 4)
13
	Swot Week
	Exam Weeks	Exam

Specific Course Requirements

The course requires some skills laboratory work. Students will need to adhere to the dress code when attending skills and simulation sessions.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Assessment Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
Mid-semester online quiz	Formative	N/A	1-6
Hand Hygiene Australia	Formative	N/A	6-9
Concept Maps of Microbiology & Immunology Content	Summative	10%	1-6
Preparation and maintenance of a sterile field	Summative	30%	7-8
End of semester online exam	Summative	60%	1-6, 9, 10

Assessment Detail

ASSESSMENT 1: Online quizzes
These quizzes will be administered online through MyUni and will provide instant feedback to students on their knowledge of microbiology and infection control practices. There will be 2 quizzes, the first will occur early in the semester and the second after the microbiology and immunology content has been delivered.

ASSESSMENT 2: Hand Hygiene Australia
Students must work through and complete the HHA online training package (Modules 1 and 2). The certificates must be completed and printed prior to clinical placement.

ASSESSMENT 3: Concept Map Notes
Students will be given electronic skeleton concept maps that they will then complete for the topics: Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Parasites and Immunity. Concept maps will be marked according to how complete they are.

ASSESSMENT 3: Preparation and maintenance of a sterile field
Preparation and maintenance of a sterile field: Students will clean and dress a simple simulated wound. They will prepare and maintain asepsis for the wound dressing. Emphasis on the safe removal of a soiled wound dressing and replacement with a new dressing will occur. This assessment will be conducted in the skills lab or students will submit a video recording of their wound dressing technique.

ASSESSMENT 4: End of semester online multiple-choice exam
A two-hour exam assesing the principles of infection control and related microbiology and immunology will be held at the end of semester.

Submission

Unless otherwise indicated all submission of assignments is to be through MyUni. TurnItin will be used to check student assignments. TurnItin will be used to check student assignments. Students MUST keep an electronic copy of all assignments submitted.

Extensions are generally awarded for no more than 10 working days unless there are exceptional circumstances.
To apply for an Assessment Extension, a student must submit an application for extension form prior to the assessment deadline. You will find this on the School of Nursing Website or use the link provided here.

See the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

In 2020 the mean eSELT score for satisfaction about this course was 6.5 out of 7 an increase from 6.2 in the previous year.
The mean eSELT score for David Foley as an effective teacher was 6.8 out of 7.
Most students who responded to the eSelt did not want any changes but the most frequent request was for more definitions and explanation of content, so more definitions and a glossary of terms will be included.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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