About the Programme
MD in Microbiology (Doctor of Medicine in Microbiology) is a three-year postgraduate programme that involves a detailed study of Microbiology, human immunology, mycology and bacterial pathogenesis. This programme includes the study of the interactions of microorganisms with humans and other organisms that exist and affect our lives. The programme is very subjective and rather than focusing on providing academic knowledge to the students it enables them to be more practical by offering dimension based study.
The programme is also beneficial for further research studies as it produces a competent specialist and medical professional who recognises the health needs of the community and carries out all the professional obligations ethically. The students opting for this programme are trained to deal will any substantial and emergency situations. The curriculum includes the study on topics such as bacteriology, virology, immunology, applied microbiology, microbial biotechnology, medical microbiology, food and dairy microbiology, veterinary, agricultural microbiology etc.
Program educational Objectives
A post graduate student upon successfully qualifying in the MD (Microbiology)examination should be able to:
- Demonstrate competence in application of microbiology in a variety of clinical settings to solve diagnostic and therapeutic problems along with preventive measures.
- Interact effectively with the allied departments by rendering services in basic as well as advanced laboratory investigations
- Play a pivotal role in hospital infection control, including formulation of antibiotic policy and management of biomedical waste.
- Establish good clinical microbiological services in a hospital and in the community in the fields of bacteriology, virology, parasitology, immunology and mycology
- Acquire skills in conducting collaborative research in the field of Microbiology with allied sciences.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills required for the practice of clinical microbiology and while teaching undergraduate students
- Plan, execute and evaluate teaching assignments in Medical Microbiology.
- Acquire various skills for collaborative research and plan, execute, analyse and present the research work in medical microbiology.
- Conduct such clinical / experimental research as would have significant bearing on human health & patient care.
- To Participate in various workshops / Seminars / Journal clubs / Demonstration in the allied department.
Program Outcomes (PO’s)
- Cognitive Domain
At the end of the course, the student should have acquired knowledge in the following theoretical competencies:
- Important historical events and developments in microbiology
- Basic as well as advanced knowledge in various microscopes and microscopic techniques used in diagnostic microbiology
- Various bio-safety issues including physical and biological containment, universal containment, personal protective equipment for biological agents
- Various isolation precautions including standard and transmission-based precautions
- In-depth knowledge about various method of Sterilization, disinfection and lyophilization
- Nomenclature, classification and morphology of bacteria and other microorganisms as well as their requirements for growth, nutrition and their metabolism.
- Various types and significance of normal flora of human body in health and disease states
- Various types of host parasite relationship & their significance.
- Bacterial genetics, bacteriophages and molecular genetics relevant for medical microbiology
- Component & functions of immune system, various antigen – antibody reactions and their applications and complement system.
- Various disorders like hypersensitivity, immune deficiency & autoimmune diseases.
- Demonstrate knowledge & skills in various techniques for isolation & identification of bacterial pathogens of medical importance including various Gram positive ( Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Listeria, Clostridium, Actinomyces, Nocardia, Mycobacterium etc.) and gram negative ( Vibrios, Aeromonas, Haemophilus, Bordetella, Brucella, Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae members, spirochaetes, chlamydia etc.) .
- Explain the general characteristics ( morphology, reproduction and classification) and also identify major fungal pathogens including yeasts & moulds and also identify various laboratory contaminant fungi.
- Explain the general properties, classification, morphology, replication, pathogenesis and laboratory diagnosis of major DNA and RNA viruses.
- Demonstrate knowledge about general character, classification, pathogenesis & laboratory diagnosis of medically important protozoan’s ( Amobae, Giardia , Trichomonas , Leishmania, trypanosome, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, cyclospora etc.) and helminthes ( cestodes, trematodes and Nematodes).
- Microbiology of air, milk, water as well as hospital environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge about epidemiology of various infections diseases and hospital required infections.
- Demonstrate knowledge about management of biomedical waste.
- Demonstrate knowledge about infections of various organ systems of human body ( respiratory tract , urinary tract , central nervous system, reproductive system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system).
- Demonstrate knowledge & applications of automation and molecular techniques in Microbiology.
- Applications of quality assurance, quality control in microbiology and accreditation of laboratories
B Affective domain
A post graduate student having qualified the MD (Community Medicine) examination should be able to
- Should be able to function as a part of a team, develop an attitude of cooperation with colleagues, and interact with the patient and the clinician or other colleagues to provide the best possible diagnosis or opinion.
- Always adopt ethical principles and maintain proper etiquette in dealings with patients, relatives and other health personnel and to respect the rights of the patient including the right to information and second opinion.
- Develop communication skills to word reports and professional opinion as well as to interact with patients, relatives, peers and paramedical staff, and for effective teaching.
C. Psychomotor Domain
The student should be able to perform independently the following:
- Collection/transportation, Preparation, examination and interpretation of direct smears and culture and other microbiological test from clinical specimens and their disposal
- Aseptic practices in laboratory and safety precautions. Selection of Personal Protective Equipment according to task and donning (gloves, mask, eye protection, gown etc).
- Operation of autoclave, hot an oven, filters like Seitz and membrane filters etc.
- Identification of bacteria of medical importance up to species level.
- Techniques of anaerobiosis..
- Tests of motility: hanging drop, cragies tube.
- Performance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing and detection of enzymes leading to drug resistance.
- Testing of disinfectants.