Pathogen strategies for survival and transmission (P02661)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : VET-P-P02661

Course Description:
This course aims to promote an understanding of the transmission mechanisms of macro- and micro-parasites, and the maintenance strategies for survival between successive infections.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Masters in Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases entry requirements

? Special Arrangements for Entry : This course will be taught entirely by distance learning, using the virtual learning environment of WebCT as the delivery platform. Course materials are protected by a secure username and password. These access details are made available to registered users only.

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

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases, (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 WebCT

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Intended learning outcomes:
At the completion of this course the candidate should understand the biological characteristics of the different classes of pathogens. Demonstrate an appreciation of the various strategies adopted by specific (regional) pathogens to establish infection and survive in their hosts.

The candidate should:
? understand the infectious disease mechanisms and the making of a pathogen
? appreciate the factors associated with host susceptibility and resistance
? understand the characteristics of parasitism and survival in the host and in the free environment, including zoonoses and vector-borne diseases
? routes of entry, establishment and persistence of infection in the host
? appreciate the identification of critical points for intervention and the design of control programmes
? understand the identification of problems and researchable questions relating to control and management of Infectious Diseases

Assessment Information

Formal summative written assessment will constitute 60% of the student's grade. Online assessment will incorporate a variety of activities will constitute 40% of their overall course grade and is taken to represent a formative assessment of learning throughout the programme.