Infections, Pandemics and Epidemics
UndergraduateLTU-MIC1IPE2024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Infections, Pandemics and Epidemics
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe and compare infectious agents, their biological features, epidemiology, disease effects and disease management, using appropriate microbiological terms and scientific concepts.
- Evaluate the different modes of transmission of infectious agents and the effectiveness of corresponding control and prevention strategies.
- Analyse factors that can influence the emergence, re-emergence and/or spread of specific infectious diseases.
- Apply knowledge of different laboratory techniques that are used to isolate and identify microorganisms, and diagnose infectious diseases caused by these microorganisms.
- Evaluate and interpret results from various diagnostic microbiology techniques.
- Work collaboratively with peers in a small group to complete an infectious disease case study, including disease diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis for recovery.
- Chain of Infection
- Immunity and Vaccines
- Antimicrobial Agents
- Infectious Disease Control and Surveillance
- Pandemics, Emerging Infections, and Zoonotic Diseases
- Neglected and Tropical Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Superbugs
- Clinical Diagnostic Microbiology Approaches
Infectious diseases, both new and ancient, continue to threaten well-being by causing localised, epidemic or pandemic disease outbreaks. In this subject students will learn about the chain of infection, immunity and vaccination, disease prevention, and disease surveillance. Selected microorganisms will then be described and compared: the main focus is the natural habitat of the organisms (reservoirs of infection), the ways in which humans can encounter the organisms (routes of infection) and the strategies available at the individual, community and global levels to prevent disease and, in the diseased patient, to cure disease. In parallel, workshops will focus on laboratory techniques that can be used for disease diagnosis including culture-based methods, molecular methods, and immunological approaches. Workshops will culminate in an infectious disease case study.
- Workshop quizzes based on clinical microbiology diagnostic techniques (800 words equivalent) (20%)
- Mid-semester test (1hr) (1000 words equivalent) (25%)
- Case study narrated presentation (1200 words equivalent per student) (30%)
- Final test (1h) (1000 words equivalent) (25%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
Others
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed MIC1IEP (Infections and Epidemics), or MIC2IEP (Infections and Epidemics) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DIP
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.