Introduction to Practical Microbiology
Discover the basics of microbiology and the principles of antimicrobial stewardship from a practical standpoint.
6,342 enrolled on this course
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Introduction to Practical Microbiology
Learn about the basics of microbiology and clinical pharmacology
On this four-week course, you’ll discover the basic concepts of microbiology from a practical perspective.
Get to know how to identify microbes, what antimicrobial resistance is, and how you can analyse and interpret data in a laboratory setting, as well as advice for both low and higher resource settings.
Build a foundation in microbiology practices
This course teaches you about all the basic concepts of microbiology. Develop a solid foundation base for further study and practice in the field of microbiology by learning how to define microbes, antimicrobials, and antibiotics. Confidently navigate every basic topic, name, principle, and process of microbiology.
By the end of this course, you won’t just have a confident understanding of the classification, structure, and roles of microbes, but will also be familiar with their laboratory identification and the common sites of infection.
Discover the concepts of antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
On this course you’ll learn how to define antimicrobial resistance, its mechanisms, drivers, and co-resistance. Learn how microbes and antimicrobials work, and how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens.
Discover the basic concepts of ‘superbugs’, and analyse the results of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST), including their different breaking points, cut-off settings, and their application in the clinical context.
Learn antimicrobial laboratory techniques
Decipher how to take samples and specimens to detect microbes, as well as methods to study antimicrobial susceptibility in the laboratory setting.
Learn to compare bactericidal and bacteriostatic substances, see how they move through the body by studying PK/PD models, and learn how to increase the efficacy of antimicrobials based on the results.
What topics will you cover?
- The basics of microbes, including classification, structure, their roles, and sites of infection.
- Antimicrobial classification and basic mechanisms, PK/PD, and how to increase efficacy of antimicrobials.
- Antimicrobial resistance – definitions, mechanisms, drivers, co-resistance, and how ‘superbugs’ occur. Antimicrobial agents and antimicrobial use principles.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing – laboratory techniques and how to use the information/data gained.
- Capacity and capability of resources – what can be done with both low resources and situations where resources are more available.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify the common microbes, their classification and role, where they may colonise and where they may cause common infections
- Demonstrate understanding of the most important microbials and how they work, basic concepts of AMR, how bacteria become resistant and “super-bugs”
- Explain the different methods used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and basic concepts about analysis and interpreting the results of AST
- Justify the importance of quality management and assurance of AST including use of guidelines
Who is the course for?
This course is for healthcare professionals, laboratory personnel, anti-infectives commercial staff, researchers, students or others in training.
The course is intended for those with some basic knowledge of microbiology, but this is not a prerequisite.
Who developed the course?
BSAC
Founded in 1971, the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy is committed to addressing the growing threat of drug resistant infections around the world.
Endorsers and supporters
endorsed by
funded by
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $134/one-off payment | $39.99/month Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 14 May 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$39.99/month
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$134/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 14 May 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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