Human Fungal Pathogens BIOL5444

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: MVLS College Services
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

Fungal infections represent a significant and under-recognised global health burden and collectively account for more annual deaths than tuberculosis or malaria. The burden is compounded by an increasing at-risk population, limited diagnostics and treatments, and the emergence of antifungal resistance. Understanding the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of human fungal pathogens is therefore crucial. This course will explore topics such as fungal morphology, virulence and pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, antifungal treatments and resistance, and emerging fungal threats.

Timetable

This course will consist of lectures and workshops delivered over 5 weeks in semester 2.

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

1. An essay on a topic outlined by the course lead (50%) (1500-1750 words) (ILO 1-4)

2. A group presentation (25%) (10 minutes + 5 minutes of questions). An element of the student's presentation mark (2.5%) will be subject to peer assessment for contribution of individuals to group work (ILO 1,2,4)

3. A digital output on a fungal pathogen of the student's choice, for a lay audience (500 words) (25%) (ILO 1,4)

Course Aims

This course aims to introduce students to major human fungal pathogens including Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans. The course will provide students with a critical understanding of fungal microbiology and virulence factors, fungal innate and adaptive immunology and current diagnostics and treatments, and how these must be considered for controlling invasive fungal infections.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically assess the microbiology and virulence factors associated with human fungal pathogens and how these contribute to disease pathogenesis.

2. Critically assess innate and adaptive immune responses to fungal species and the mechanisms of fungal immune evasion.

3. Critically assess the demographics of at-risk populations and how this contributes to the epidemiology of fungal diseases.

4. Critically evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of current diagnostics and treatments, and the challenges presented with antifungal resistance and emerging fungal threats.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.