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ZO3808: BIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2023-2024)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43


Course Overview

The variety of infections and pathologies seems almost limitless, and although some of the commonest infections have been studied intensely, it's fair to say that the biological and environmental processes relating to infections are often poorly-understood. We are also living through a time when some deadly diseases are on the increase – this is for a host of reasons including overuse of antibiotics or misinformation about common therapies such as vaccination. Infectious disease isn’t going away.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr John Baird

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The variety of infections and pathologies seems almost limitless, and although some of the commonest infections have been studied intensely, it's fair to say that the biological and environmental processes relating to infections are often poorly-understood. We are also living through a time when some deadly diseases are on the increase – this is for a host of reasons including overuse of antibiotics or misinformation about common therapies such as vaccination. Infectious disease isn’t going away.

 

The main purpose of this course is to introduce you to the broad variety of disease-causing agents and vectors of disease, and also to look at a selection of (mainly vectored) diseases and systems in detail, including: general biology, life histories, pathologies, host response, prophylaxis and therapies, epidemiology and socio-political aspects. This information will be supplemented by practical sessions during which you will enhance your knowledge and technical skills and, in a group presentation (groups of two), during which you will develop your communication skills and explore aspects of disease not covered in the lectures.

 

When appropriate, teaching material will relate to disease in humans, but diseases in other animals will also be covered. This breadth is important in terms of understanding how infectious agents function - many diseases affect various different taxa and many diseases pass through several species during their life-cycle.

 

On completion of the course you should feel confident that you have a broad understanding of infectious disease in humans and other animals and a detailed understanding of a range of infectious diseases. Also, your skills in data handling, molecular diagnostics, report writing and presenting will have been enhanced. The mixture of a theoretical background, hands-on modern practical techniques and communication skills gives a base from which to develop careers in the extensive field of infectious disease. These techniques are also transferable to many other disciplines and career paths.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Practical 4

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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PCR - Schistosomiasis vectors

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Online assessment

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 35
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Practical 2

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Data handling - Nematodes in Soay Sheep on St. Kilda 

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Practical 1

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 5
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Introduction to infectious disease

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Practical 3

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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ELISA

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Re-submission of failed elements

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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