Module overview

Modern high-throughput sequencing methodologies can provide unprecedented specificity for diagnosing infectious diseases and tracking the spread of an outbreak. Following introductory lectures about the global burden and transmission routes of infectious diseases, you will learn about the basic biology and genomics of bacteria, fungi and viruses; features associated with pathogenicity; the basis for antibiotic susceptility and the problem of antibiotic resistance. Clinical examples discussed include TB, MRSA, and HIV.

Credits

15 Masters level credits

Module attendance required

Teaching delivered one day each week for five consecutive weeks.

Module dates

First iteration -  starts on 12 October for 5 consecutive Wednesdays
Second iteration - starts on 17th February for 5 consecutive Fridays

Assessment

The module will be assessed via a short presentation, and an exam made up of short answer questions and a choice of essay. For those taking the module as a stand-alone option, you need only take the assessment if you require the University credits.

Academics involved in the delivery of this module 

Module Leads:
Dr Peter Balfe and Professor Robin May(Professor in Infectious Diseases)

Other University staff teaching:
Professor Steve Busby
Professor Tim Mitchell
Professor Ian Henderson
Professor Peter Hawkey
Dr Mark Webber
Dr Apoorva Bhatt
Professor Mark Drayson

NHS staff teaching:
Dr Beryl Oppenheim
Dr Erasmus Smit

Interested in taking this individual module as a CPD programme?

This module can be taken as a standalone assessed or non-assessed course.  Costs to be confirmed.  

You should have a good honours degree in a life sciences subject, although we will consider applicants with alternative qualifications and professional experience within the health service or other relevant background. You should either take module 1 (An Introduction to Human Genetics and Genomics) and module 2 (Omics Techniques and their Application to Genomic Medicine) first, or be able to show you have equivalent knowledge and understanding to enable you to benefit from this module. 

Please contact the Programme Administrator for further information. 

Dr Peter F. Searle
Email: p.f.searle@bham.ac.uk  
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4487