Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Practical | 2 x 4 Hour Practicals |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Online quiz (MCQ) | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Practical Report (1500 word max) | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 40% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of diseases and how they are diagnosed
2. Describe the fundamental biological principles behind different diagnostic techniques
3. Interpret and report data produced by diagnostic techniques
4. Describe and discuss different control measures
Brief description
The module will provide an introduction to disease biology, symptoms, diagnosis and control and give students practical experiences using diagnostic tools. Focusing on the veterinary context, this module will introduce the techniques used in the diagnosis of both infectious and non-infectious diseases. It will describe the scientific basis and application of molecular (e.g. PCR), cellular (e.g. blood smear) and whole-organism (e.g. behavioural symptoms) techniques to identify diseases caused by areas such as nutrition, infection and hereditary genetic conditions. Finally, an introduction to prevention and control strategies of specific diseases will be described such as vaccination, drug treatment and environment management.
Aims
The module aims to give students an understanding of the different types of diagnostic techniques and how they function to identify diseases.
Content
Concept of Disease (Week 1)
Whole animal diagnostics techniques (Weeks 2-3)
Cellular-based diagnostics techniques (Week 4)
Protein/DNA/RNA based diagnostic techniques (Week 5-6)
Physiological disease control (Week 7)
Viral/Bacterial/Fungal/Parasitic disease control (8-9)
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Practical classes will involve the collection and analysis of data Analysis will be assessed in the associated coursework and feedback on this aspect will be given. The exam will also include a data interpretation question. |
| Communication | Students will develop effective written communication skills in the examination and coursework, where these will be assessed. Feedback will be given for coursework. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | |
| Information Technology | Presentation of coursework will be assessed, which should be prepared on a computer and feedback on this aspect will be given. Part of the coursework will be an on-line MCQ. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | |
| Problem solving | Practical classes will involve problem solving. These will be assessed in associated coursework. Feedback on this will be given for the coursework. The exam will also include a data interpretation question. |
| Research skills | The research skills associated with collation and processing of relevant information are developed and will be tested in all assessments. Feedback will be given on coursework. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The module requires students to understand a range of techniques that are essential to many careers in biological/veterinary careers. |
| Team work | The practical sessions will involve an element of team work. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4