Applied epidemiology, surveillance and risk assessment (P01611)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : VET-P-P01611

The course aims to promote an understanding of the theory of basic and applied epidemiology, surveillance of disease and risk assessment, using examples from the field of international animal health.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Masters in International Animal Health entry requirements.

? Co-requisites : Compulsory (year 1)

? Special Arrangements for Entry : This courses will be taught entirely by distance learning, using the virtual learning environment Web CT as the delivery platform. Course materials are protected by secure username and password access, that will be made available to registered users.

? Costs : Students will be required to have regular access to a networked computer, and will be reponsible for providing their own computing equipment and consumables.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

International Animal health, (Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Schedule S)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : To be arranged/Unknown

? Additional Class Information : This course will be delivered online through Web CT.
The course will run from the 16th of April to the 29th of June.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this course, the candidate should understand and apply basic quantitative epidemiology, involving single samples and the uses to which techniques can be applied in disease surveillance.

The candidate should:
- understand basic statistical methods and their application
- appreciate and describe the measurement of disease frequency
- understand the diagnostic criteria for disease, and discuss the observation and interpretation of data
- understand the principles of survey design and the concepts of sampling
- rationalise importance of risk assessment, and appreciate the mathematical principles behind probability theory and qualitative assessment
- understand methods of disease surveillance, traceability, data sources and bias and participatory epidemiology.

Assessment Information

Formal summative written assessment will constitute 60% of the student's grade. Online discussion in both a synchronous and asynchronous environment will contribute further to the final mark. Students will also be required to keep an online reflective personal portfolio. In combination with the submission of electronic course assignments, these elements will provide the remaining 40% of the final mark.