Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Workshop | 1 x 4 Hour Workshop |
| Field Trip | 1 x 4 Hour Field Trip |
| Seminar | 1 x 2 Hour Seminar |
| Practical | 1 x 4 Hour Practical |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Written Report/Essay (max 2000 words). | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Individual oral presentation | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours (including seen question section). | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 60% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 40% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Compare the biology of infectious organisms to provide a greater understanding of disease development in farm animals, horses and companion animal species.
2. Critically assess how viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases can modulate the host immune response.
3. Formulate measures for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
4. Evaluate the importance of notifiable and zoonotic diseases in the veterinary field.
5. Assess the linkages between immunological mechanisms that lead immunity and those that lead to undesirable reactions against veterinary pathogens.
Brief description
This module will deal with advanced biological aspects of infectious organisms and the infected animals' immune responses, focusing on farm and companion animal species. Special emphasis will be given on the infection and control of bacterial (e.g. bovine TB), viral (e.g. myxomatosis) and parasitic diseases (e.g. fleas) prevalent in the United Kingdom. Notifiable and zoonotic diseases will also be discussed.
Content
Understanding disease outbreaks (Week 1-3)
- Potential subjects include: The biology behind diseases outbreaks, Biosecurity, Epidemiological study of disease outbreaks
Veterinary Microbiology (Weeks 4-7)
- Viral, bacterial and fungal veterinary diseases will be covered examining their biology (mutation rates, immune evasion, zooneses etc.), control (detection and treatment methods) and highlighting specific examples (such as West Nile Virus, Bovine TB, Ringworm).
Veterinary Parasitology (Week 8-11)
- Potential subjects include: key ectoparasites, protozoal parasites and helminth parasites of various veterinary species, Immune responses to parasites, Control of parasitic diseases in the veterinary sector.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Practical classes will involve the collection and analysis of data through a variety of techniques. Analysis will be assessed in the associated coursework and feedback on this aspect will be given. |
| Communication | Students will develop effective written communication skills in the examination and coursework, where these will be assessed. Feedback for this coursework will be given. Students will develop oral communication skills as part of the seminars. Feedback on this will be given in the seminars. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Outside the formal contact hours, students will be expected to research materials, manage time and meet deadlines for the coursework and exam. Feedback on this will be given for the coursework. |
| Information Technology | Accessing the web for reliable information sources and using databases to find literature in preparation for the seminar report and the exam. Presentation of coursework will be assessed, which should be prepared on a computer and feedback on this aspect will be given. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will be required to consider different careers/employers within 1st seminar and will have contact with external speakers from industry. This aspect is not assessed. |
| Problem solving | Practical classes and the seminars will involve problem solving. These will be assessed in associated coursework. Feedback on this will be given for the coursework. |
| Research skills | The coursework and exam will require students to research topics beyond the depth and scope of the lecture material. Information from a variety of sources will be used. Research skills will be assessed in both the examination and coursework. Feedback on this will be given for the coursework. |
| Subject Specific Skills | During the module, students will gain knowledge of veterinary terminology. They will also learn the current legislation regarding notifiable diseases of veterinary diseases. |
| Team work | The 1st seminar will be performed in groups, with discussion within the groups as to the most important points to communicate. Feedback on this will be given in the seminar. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6