MLAB 2403 - Clinical Microbiology

Credit hours: 4

Prerequisites: Program Restriction-Enrollment limited to students admitted to the MLT program.

Course Description:
This course examines the study of microorganisms of medical importance as it relates to man and disease. The course includes discussions of proper collection, handling and examination of specimens, staining and culture techniques, identification methods, drug sensitivity testing, and quality control procedures.

Student Learning Outcomes:
The student will:

Demonstrate a general knowledge of the field of medical microbiology, including bacteriology, parasitology, mycology and mycobacteriology, by discussing morphology, metabolism, genetics and growth requirements.
Demonstrate knowledge of a) major cellular characteristics, b) cultural characteristics, c) identification methods, d) specimen sources, e) general pathology of microorganisms of clinical importance by describing and identifying each according to these characteristics.
Demonstrate a general knowledge of the cultivation of microorganisms from clinical specimens by discussing culturing methods and conditions, and by listing pathogens and normal flora organisms found in various body sites.
Analyze unknown cultures from the respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal tract and blood by differentiating bacterial colonies, performing appropriate biochemical tests and susceptibility studies, and combining results with morphological characteristics to identify the bacteria present in the culture.