Postgraduate Course: Wildlife animal health and environment (INAH11008)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course aims to develop the animal health issues relating to the interface between wild and domestic livestock. |
| Course description |
This course will look at several issues that affect wildlife. We will be concentrating both on diseases that affect these populations as well as infections that although non pathogenic in wildlife are pathogenic in domestic livestock and humans. We will also be looking at environmental factors which can affect wildlife populations, the majority of these are caused by humans.
The course is split into five weeks, the first three weeks of which will mainly focus on diseases of importance in terrestrial mammals (excluding bats), animals that fly (the bats, birds and insects) and amphibians and reptiles. During week four we will look at non-disease related issues that humans and domestic livestock have had on wildlife populations. While in the final week we will look at both environmental and disease factors affecting animals (fish and ocean dwelling mammals) that live in or around water ways (ocean, seas and rivers).
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional 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. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
08/08/2022 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Online Activities 30,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
58 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
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. In combination with the submission of electronic course assignments, these elements will provide the remaining 40% of the final mark. |
| Feedback |
Summative assessment consists of one written assessment, worth 60% of the total mark, and an online element worth 40%. In each case, comprehensive written feedback is provided individually within 15 working days of the assessment deadline. Students are expected to reflect on their feedback, to seek additional clarification if appropriate, and to use this to improve on future assignments of a similar nature.
Formative assessment consists of discussion around what is expected of each piece of assessed work for the course. This is conducted in a discussion forum for all students to contribute to and provides an opportunity to clearly understand the key requirements for each assignment before submission. Any student can post questions about the assignment and a response will be posted on the discussion board by the course tutor within 3 working days. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically analyse the transmission of infections within and between wildlife, domestic livestock and human populations and how transmission can be controlled.
- Evaluate the role that amplifying, dilution and bridge hosts play in the role of transmitting infectious diseases
- Interpret how humans and domestic animals impact wildlife populations
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Reading List
| No specific reading material, students are pointed to recent peer reviewed articles that will be made available on a weekly basis |
Additional Information
| Course URL |
http://www.internationalanimalhealth.ed.ac.uk |
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Graduate attributes: Skills and abilities in Research and Enquiry
To be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding of international animal health issues
To be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge their knowledge and understanding by keeping abreast of current developments as part of a regular routine of self motivated continuing professional development
Students will have been taught the skills on where to search for up to date information that is relevant to their working environment and academic interests.
To have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these
On graduating our students will be able to recognise the importance of reflecting on their learning experiences and be aware of any limitations and how to address these.
Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
To be open to new ideas, methods and ways of thinking. This is encouraged by the diverse portfolio of courses that the graduate may have chosen to include in their learning experience, challenging themselves both within their current sphere and also outside their normal comfort zone.
To be creative and imaginative thinkers, a feature that will have been enhanced by the variety of assessment methods though which they have been challenged to present, re-imagine, or discuss their learning materials.
Part-time, online learners will have learnt to be able to identify processes and strategies for learning. There is no rigid structure to their learning environment, beyond the established deadlines for continuous assessment. It is for the student to adapt their own circumstances to meet the challenges for this programme, continuous reflection; self-evaluation and self-improvement are fundamental skills in this process. This ensures an independent approach to assimilating knowledge and the knowledge of where to find relevant, additional resources and information.
The self selective student cohort, are all working professionals with a clear vision of where this qualification will place them within their own career pathways. The pace of learning and the support of a similarly minded cohort help ensure that these goals are achieved in a sustainable manner.
Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Communication
To make effective use of written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding. While oral skills are encouraged, until we are certain that the use of these technologies in our online programmes will not prohibit the contribution of any student due to their geographical circumstances, this suite of technologies has not been fully implemented.
The use of communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others is vital in these online programmes, the vast majority of information is text based and students must be able to clearly present their thoughts, ideas and the logical progression of a discussion to one another.
Seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness. While on programme students are also encourage to participate in peer review, providing open and honest feedback in a clear and supportive manner. This open dialogue is vital in furthering the understanding of how their own performance might be improved.
Recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
Use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection.
Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal Effectiveness
The development of confidence in their own skill set, and to appreciate and use their talents constructively, this is taken to include the ability to make decisions based on their understandings and their personal and intellectual autonomy
To create and harness collaborative opportunities through the development of professional networks, and knowledge of potential funding streams and other financial opportunities
To be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another
To understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues though membership of a global community of practise. This community encourages students to work together to capitalise on their different thinking, experience and skills in order to progress their knowledge and understanding.
To work with, manage, and lead others in ways that value their diversity and equality and that encourage their contribution to the organisation and the wider community
3. Autonomy, Accountability and Working with others |
| Special Arrangements |
This courses will be taught entirely by distance learning, using the virtual learning environment Learn as the delivery platform. Course materials are protected by secure username and password access, that will be made available to registered users. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
This course will be delivered online through Learn. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ewan MacLeod
Tel: (0131 6)51 1694
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Deborah Walker
Tel: (0131 6)51 1513
Email: |
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