ENVH7742 Microbiology and Communicable Diseases

This topic introduces microbiology as an important concept in human health. Microorganisms have dramatic negative and positive impacts on human health within the domains of air, soil, water and food. The topic examines the methods of culture and enumeration of microorganisms, and how these techniques can be used to assess their impact on human health in these domains. Modes and mechanisms of pathogenicity and virulence will be discussed, as well as modes of their transmission and methods of disease control.

This topic aims to:

• Explore the concept of microbiology in relation to public health
• Examine the negative and positive impacts of micro-organisms on human health
• Examine the techniques and principles used to study microorganisms
• Identify the principle routes of transmission of communicable diseases
• Identify the current methods available for control of communicable disease

1. Describe the conditions affecting the growth and survival of micro-organisms in a variety of environments
2. Select appropriate methods to isolate and enumerate micro-organisms from a variety of environments
3. Evaluate the potentials for communicable disease transfer in a variety of environments
4. Develop a range of interventions designed to reduce the potential for movement of communicable disease within the community