PATH 516 - Microbiology and Immunology

4 Cr. Hrs.

This course is a comprehensive introduction to all areas of clinical microbiology including bacteriology, virology, mycology, and parasitology, as well as immunology. Human pathogens with most relevance to pathologist assistants will be explored including the study of pathogenic structure, genetics, mechanisms of disease, and growth/life cycles. In addition, this course will explore the fundamentals of disease prevention and mechanism of action of all major classes of antimicrobial drugs. Particular attention will be devoted to laboratory safety measures related to microbiology in pathologist assistant practice in both the surgical pathology laboratory as well as the autopsy suite. Student will learn optimum methods of obtaining microbiology samples for culture and identification as well as special techniques applicable to molecular testing, as well as fungal, viral, and mycobacterial testing. This course will also explore techniques employed in clinical microbiology laboratories including culture and sensitivity testing, molecular techniques, and MALDI-TOF, with the goal of having the student proficient in collaboration with the clinical microbiology laboratory. Students will also be introduced to immunology through the study of humoral and cellular immunity including the topics of immune cells and tissues, antibody structure/function, complement, antibody diversity, immunologic memory, and the study of diseases of the immune system. Students will also appreciate understand the use of immunologic techniques related to the clinical microbiology laboratory and serologic testing.

Prerequisite(s): NA Corequisite(s): NA
Grading Basis: Graded Repeatable: No Typical Periods Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Formerly: NA
NA