Microbiology for Health Science (Unit 13)

Learning aims (A–D)

• A: Concepts of microbiology relevant to health science (A1–A4).
• B: Role of micro-organisms in human health and disease (B1–B5).
• C: Impact of diseases and their treatment in a global context (C1–C3).
• D: Health benefits of micro-organisms (D1–D2).

Who it's for

Senior secondary students on BTEC International L3 Health & Social Care pathways. All practicals are school-safe and supervised.

Key outcomes

• Plan/justify control of microbes with reference to structure & growth.
• Explain transmission, epidemiology, and immune responses.
• Analyse global disease control and societal impacts.
• Evaluate beneficial uses (e.g., food biotechnology).

A1–A4: Concepts & Control

A1: Micro-organisms • A2: Requirements for growth • A3: Structure & reproduction • A4: Control methods (disinfectants, antibiotics, hygiene).

B1–B5: Health & Disease

B1: Epidemiology • B2: Transmission routes • B3: Normal flora & the body • B4: Types of infection • B5: Immune system basics.

C1–C3: Global Context

C1: Factors in controlling diseases globally • C2: Controlling a global disease outbreak • C3: Consequences to society.

D1–D2: Benefits & Applications

D1: Using micro-organisms in food production • D2: Further beneficial uses (e.g., industry, health).

Group research

Students research organism groups, growth needs, structure & reproduction, then present to peers.

Posters & mini-talks

Annotated posters on transmission routes; presentations on infection types with handouts.

Tutor-led immunity

Walkthrough of immune response; learners build an annotated flow chart of stages.

Role insights

Talks from public health/epidemiology/infection-control; research WHO severity ratings and outbreak control.

Related BTEC units

Unit 2 (Anatomy & Physiology), Unit 5 (Safe Practice), Unit 6 (Promoting Public Health).

Suggested reading

Madigan et al., Biology of Microorganisms; Taylor, Microorganisms & Biotechnology; Waites et al., Industrial Microbiology.

Web resources

Microbiology Society (incl. Microbiology Today); Discovery Education simulations; Education World pandemic intros.

Virtual Microbiology Classroom

Properties and Use of Microorganisms

Communicable diseases

Study Guide

End of Topic Test Study Guide ↗

Antibiotic Resistance

The Antibiotic Resistance Crisis Worksheet ↗

Microbiology Worksheet 2

Structure and Reproduction of Microorganisms ↗

Microbial Growth Lab

This interactive lab allows students to explore how temperature and environmental conditions affect microbial activity and CO₂ production in yeast. It reinforces concepts from Learning Aim A2 (Requirements for growth) and B1 (Epidemiology & Transmission).

Open Microbial Growth Lab Form ↗

Yeast Growth Simulation

This virtual lab simulation demonstrates how temperature affects yeast growth and CO₂ production. Observe balloon inflation at different temperatures to understand optimal growth conditions for microorganisms.

Open Yeast Growth Simulation ↗

Disease Detectives Outbreak Simulation

Investigate a fictional gastrointestinal illness outbreak in Bermuda. Analyze patient data, calculate attack rates, and identify the source of infection in this epidemiology simulation that reinforces concepts from Learning Aim B1 (Epidemiology) and C2 (Controlling disease outbreaks).

Open Disease Detectives Simulation ↗