Course Catalogue

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This course will provide an overview of the main veterinary and zoonotic viral, bacterial and parasitic infectious agents. Pathogenesis, immune response, diagnosis and control will be considered.

Weekly lectures & tutorials with practical sessions

Students must have attained the minimum requirements for entry into level 3 of the Veterinary Biosciences [Hons]/MSci Programme as specified in the Veterinary Biosciences [Hons]/MSci Programme Supplementary Regulations.

None

End of course assessment (50%): Written exam (50%) - may consist of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, data interpretation questions or essays.

In-course assessment (50%): Practical and MCQ-based assessment which may contain MCQ, short questions, SAQ and/or DIQ (35%); oral presentation which may be solo or group-based (15%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

■ To provide an overview of the basis for infectious disease in domestic animals.

■ To outline some of the important bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens of domestic animals.

■ To outline the mechanisms of host immunity to infection and how pathogenic organisms are able to overcome host immune responses.

■ To give an overview of the ways in which mechanisms of infection and immune responses to disease can be measured experimentally.

■ To provide insights into how vaccines work and the developmental process for new vaccines.

■ To provide an overview of zoonoses, and emerging infectious diseases and the role of wildlife.

■ To overview practical techniques used to diagnose bacterial, parasitic and viral disease.

■ To develop the ability to retrieve, understand, critically appraise and discuss the research literature relevant to immunity and infectious disease.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

■ Discuss the types and fundamental characteristics of microbe and parasite pathogens associated with infectious disease.

■ Explain the basis for infectious disease in domestic animals and basis for control strategies that might be applied to limit the impact of pathogens

■ Describe the mechanisms of host immunity to infection and immune evasion strategies applied by

pathogenic organisms.

■ Explain how vaccines work and discuss the developmental process required for new vaccines.

■ Discuss zoonoses and emerging infectious diseases and the role of wildlife.

■ Critically evaluate laboratory methods that may be used to diagnose infectious veterinary diseases.

■ Critically evaluate the significance of scientific literature relating to infectious disease, infection and immunity.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.