ILOs:

• Understand what microbiology means
• Classify microorganisms in very broad terms
• Describe the general structure of bacteria and the role of Gram stain in helping to classify certain bacteria
• Describe sites of the body that are sterile and those that are colonised with bacteria
• Understand the difference between colonisation and infection
• State common colonisers and pathogens of different body systems
• Understand host, pathogen and environmental factors that lead to an infection
• Understand the importance of pre-antibiotic sampling and develop an understanding of the specimen journey
• Understand the meaning of sepsis and the broad principles of assessment and management of infection
• Understand what is meant by the 'chain of infection' and the rationale behind standard and transmission-based infection control precautions

• Microbiology
• Bacteria and the body
• Laboratory diagnosis of infection
• Microbiological emergencies
• Sepsis
• Principles of treatment
• Infection control precautions
• The chain of infection