Postgraduate Course: Applied epidemiology and surveillance (INAH11020)
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 | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course aims to promote an understanding of the theory of basic and applied epidemiology and surveillance of disease, using examples from the field of international animal health. |
| Course description |
The course aims to promote an understanding of the theory of basic and applied epidemiology and surveillance of disease using examples from the field of international animal health.
This section introduces you to modern applied veterinary epidemiology and its current scope, so that your current course can be put into the full context of contemporary veterinary epidemiology.
Epidemiology is concerned with the prevention and control of disease in human and animal populations. Veterinary epidemiology additionally includes the investigation and assessment of other health-related events, notably productivity.
The word 'epidemiology' is derived from Greek roots, whose other constructs, such as 'epidemein' ('to visit a community'), give hints of the early association between epidemiology and infections that periodically entered a community (e.g., the great plagues such as foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest and smallpox), in contrast to other diseases which were usually present in the population.
Outbreaks of disease in human populations were called 'epidemics', and in animal populations were called 'epizootics', from which the term 'epizootiology' was derived (from the Greek ¿¿¿ - (zoo-) = animal). However, many infections (the zoonoses) affect both animals and humans, and the semantic differentiation between studies involving human diseases and those concerned with animal diseases therefore is considered unwarranted. Thus, 'veterinary epidemiology' is now preferred to 'epizootiology', although the latter term still persists in some parts of the world.
The course will focus on the basic measures of disease occurrence, overview of transmission and the patterns of disease, necessary basic statistics, surveillance, field survey design and conduct, observational studies and diagnostic Testing
Teaching material is delivered online through the university¿s virtual learning environment. Students are expected to engage with staff and fellow students through discussion boards. Learning outcomes will be assessed through submission of written assignments and participation in assessed discussion boards.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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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/consumabl |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
08/08/2022 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Online Activities 60,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
116 )
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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 two written assessments, worth 30% of the total mark each, 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 an open 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:
- Describe basic statistical methods and their application.
- Describe the measurement of disease frequency.
- Describe the methods for quantifying diagnostic test performance, and be able to interpret and discuss the observation and interpretation of diagnostic data.
- Demonstrate the principles of survey design and the concepts of sampling.
- Describe methods of disease surveillance, traceability, data sources and bias.
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Reading List
Veterinary epidemiology
M. V. Thrusfield
Oxford : Blackwell Science ;2007
Online access available through the library |
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 |
| Special Arrangements |
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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