You will be assigned to pairs at the start of term.  Working with your partner you will choose an organ system or tissue (skin, gastrointestinal tract, brain etc.) and then select two (2) organisms from different pathogen groups that cause disease in that system or tissue. Each of you will then select one of these organisms (must be different) to complete this assessment.  When selecting your organisms you can pick any combination of viruses, prions, parasites, bacteria, or fungi (e.g., a bacteria and a prion, or a fungus and a nematode etc.).

Once you have selected your organism you will then design and produce a scientific poster providing the following information:

• An introduction of your chosen organism including details on:
  
  • Transmission
  • Virulence/pathogenesis
  • Lifecycle
• Current laboratory techniques used for the detection of your selected pathogen.
  • Should also briefly introduce past techniques
• Treatment strategies
  • Should also briefly introduce past treatments
• Conclusion

Process:

• Review the recent literature (<15 years old) as your source material for the poster.
  • You should use a maximum of five (5) references
  • You should use primary research articles and review articles from peer-reviewed scientific journals as the source of your information.
  • Grey literature should not be used as reference material for this assessment
    • The only exception is for referencing region specific information
  • Design a visually attractive and impactful A1 poster using high quality images and appropriate font styles.
  • Provide a reference list

Please note that the research used for this assessment will form the basis for your personal contribution to the Group Presentation. (Assessment 3).

Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have
developed and refined these ideas.

Your poster will then be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Design, appearance & visual impact
• The organisation and structure of your poster
• The quality of the information and content used.
• Quality and relevance of graphical content.
• Use of appropriate referencing and referencing styles
• Spelling and grammar
   

During the residential school, you will conduct a range of experiments that will provide opportunities to learn and perform clinical diagnostic procedures in Virology, Mycology, and Parasitology, complementing your theoretical knowledge of diagnostic microbiology. The residential school will offer valuable practical experience in techniques currently used in diagnostic clinical microbiology laboratories. The laboratory practical assessment will consist of laboratory-based exercises, which will be completed during the residential school period. These exercises, described in the subject laboratory manual, will involve the completion of laboratory tasks, calculation, and presentation of results. A detailed rubric of assessment criteria for the laboratory manual will be available on the unit's Moodle site.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.

Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment.  You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

You will be assessed via workbook submission based on the practical tasks that you complete at the residential school. This assessment is Pass/Fail.

You will be assigned to pairs at the start of term.  Working with your partner you will choose an organ system or tissue (skin, gastrointestinal tract, brain etc.) and then select two (2) organisms from different pathogen groups that cause disease in that system/tissue. Each of you will then select one of these organisms (must be different) to complete Assessment 1: Poster design.  Using the information that you used to complete Assessment 1: Poster Design you will work with your assigned partner to design and deliver a presentation comparing and contrasting your chosen organisms based on their modes of transmission, virulence mechanisms, pathogenesis and lifecyles.  You will also discuss the laboratory diagnostics and treatments appropriate for each organism.  You will also need to create a visually attractive and impactful PowerPoint presentation in your pair group.  Additionally each group member will submit their research notes for assessment using the template provided. 

Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have
developed and refined these ideas.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.

This assessment will be marked based on the following criteria:

• Group Assessment
  • Design, appearance & visual impact of your PowerPoint presentation
  • The quality of the information and content delivered in your presentation
  • Quality and relevance of graphical content
  • Use of appropriate referencing and referencing styles
  • Spelling and grammar
• Contribution to the Group
  • The quality of the information provided in your research notes
  • Use of appropriate referencing and referencing styles
  • Spelling and grammar
• Individual Assessment
  • Use of appropriate pacing in your oral presentation
  • Use of appropriate volume
  • Presentation style
• Peer-assessment

A detailed rubric is provided on Moodle.