Medically Important Fungi
| Module title | Medically Important Fungi |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIOM701Z |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Dora Corzo Leon (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 8 | 8 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
This module will focus on key aspects of the biology of the major groups of medically important fungi including Aspergillus species, Candida and allied genera, Cryptococcus species, Pneumocystis jirovecii, the major dermatophytes, and endemic mycoses. The taxonomic relations of the fungi will be considered along with the importance of the fungi as agents of disease in clinical and non-clinical settings across the globe. Consideration will be given to the environmental niches and reservoirs of infection of the fungi (including emerging diseases) and their respective modes of transmission. Special consideration will be given to the attributes that the pathogens possess that make them successful as opportunistic or primary pathogens and why they represent a challenge to a range of patient populations.
Students should have completed module BIOM700Z - The Principles of Medical Mycology prior to taking this module.
The module also aims to provide you with the basic information that will enable you to take module BIOM702Z Fungal diseases and BIOM703Z Diagnosis and Antifungal Therapy.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This will focus individually on all aspects of the major and some less common medically important fungi.
These include:-
- Aspergillus
- Candida and allied genera
- Cryptococcus
- Pneumocystis jirovecii
- Dermatophytes
- Mucormycoses
- Endemic mycoses
The students will gain an overview of the most commonly encountered fungi in a clinical setting and be able to use this information to assess and manage risks to patients.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe aspects of the taxonomy, epidemiology, transmission and pathogenesis of medically important Aspergillus species
- 2. Describe aspects of the taxonomy, epidemiology, transmission and pathogenesis of Candida and allied genera
- 3. Describe aspects of the taxonomy, epidemiology, transmission and pathogenesis of Cryptococcus infections
- 4. Describe the biology of a range of dermatophyte mycoses including their taxonomy relations, epidemiology, transmission and pathogenesis
- 5. Describe the taxonomy, epidemiology and pathogenesis of Pneumocystis jirovecii
- 6. Describe the taxonomy, epidemiology and pathogenesis of Endemic mycoses and Mucormycoses
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Across a range of taxonomic groups outline the key characteristics of medically important fungi
- 8. Demonstrate some knowledge of the clinical presentations of these fungal diseases and their importance to human health
- 9. Begin to evaluate what aspects of fungal biology make fungi a threat to healthy and immunocompromised patients.
- 10. Demonstrate a basal knowledge and understanding of the pathogenesis of a selection of medically important fungal diseases
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 11. Develop skills for independent study
- 12. Analyse ideas, principles and theories
- 13. Interpret appropriate data, drawing on a range of sources with limited guidance
- 14. Communicate accurately and effectively with peers, tutors and the public
Syllabus plan
The module will commence with a short 'orientation' video, which provides full details of the module’s aims, its content, and what is expected of students in relation to learning objectives and assessments. The module will the explore the key topics via seven core content segments – each delivered through a combination of pre-recorded lectures, videos and guided reading / online skills based activities.
The module is organised to introduce topics as follows:
- Aspergillus
- Candida and allied genera
- Cryptococcus,
- Pneumocystis jirovecii
- Dermatophyte fungi
- Mucormycoses
- Endemic mycoses
All of the core learning material will be available from the start of the module, allowing students to work at their own pace.
There will be a one live (online) session, over the course of the module and details of this will be made available via the module virtual learning environment support pages. During this session you will meet the module coordinators and work through a case-study material that supports your understanding of the course content.
Each lecture /content delivery segment will have embedded formative H5P quizzes to work through to check your understanding of the taught material. You can repeat these quizzes multiple times if you need to refresh your memory, especially if some time has lapsed between episodes of studying for the module. There will be a formative MCQ paper to test your understanding before you compete the final assessment. The final module assessment will only be made available once all elements have been completed.
The recommended textbook, and associated module reading lists provide foundation and background knowledge.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Learning and teaching activities | 15 | Online lectures and content delivery (asynchronous) |
| Learning and teaching activities | 5 | Tutor guided online discussion forum (asynchronous and synchronous) |
| Guided independent study | 10 | Online embedded quizzes and feedback |
| Guided independent study | 10 | Preparation and taking formative multiple choice exam (repeat attempts will be allowed) |
| Guided independent study | 80 | Independent review of lecture material (30 h) and guided literature research (50 h) |
| Guided independent study | 30 | Revision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online embedded quizzes | 40 minutes, weekly | 1-10 | Online - automated |
| Formative MCQ | 1 hour, by the end of the module | 1-10 | Online - automated |
| Discussion forum | 1 hour | 1-14 | Online - verbally |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| End of module MCQ | 100 | 1 hour | 1-10 | Online - automated |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| End of module MCQ | End of module MCQ | 1-10 | Typically within 8 weeks of the original result |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Kibbler et al (2018) Oxford Textbook of Medical Mycology. Oxford University Press. Print ISBN-13:9780198755388. DOI:10.1093/med/9780198755388.001.0001
The core textbook is available to course participants via an e-resource link
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Relevant papers will be included within each section of the module
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | BIOM700Z |
| Module co-requisites | BIOM702Z, BIO703Z |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 11/03/2022 |
| Last revision date | 01/11/2023 |
