LF307-12 One World Health and Neglected Tropical Diseases
Introductory description
N/A.
Module aims
The main objective of this module is to introduce students to important concepts in population biology and epidemiology that are key to understanding medical and veterinary infectious disease transmission, treatment and their control. Particular emphasis is given to current efforts to improve One World health with a focus on example topical diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The module builds on and extends knowledge gained from previous modules (Evolution, Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Epidemiology) and demonstrates how it can be used to study and understand the disease process and how such understanding can be exploited to develop strategies for prevention and treatment. Diseases are placed in a broad context by teaching from a global perspective and including historical, present and potential future developments. The module will help students to integrate various aspects of biology taught at different levels and times during their degree and to apply them to these issues.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The syllabus comprises 20 lectures, comprising 5 lectures covering key concepts of population dynamics, disease burdens and causes, epidemiology, control theory and modern approaches to predictive mathematical modelling. Followed by 15 lectures of illustrative case studies covering a diversity of examples ranging from influenza, Foot and Mouth, Helminths (worms), Protozoa, to Avian flu.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Students should gain an overview of the history, pathology, epidemiology and interventions of major classes of infectious human and animal diseases, and the current challenges that are to be faced. Specific examples are discussed in detail.
- Once the nature of the disease has been understood, this knowledge should then be applied to discussions of quantitative methods of exposed population management, treatment and prevention.
- By the end of the module the students are expected to integrate all aspects of the module and have a coherent understanding of the complex interactions between the disease causing agent, vector and the host, to consider within their geographical and population specific settings, the long term effect on both treatment/cure or prevention strategies.
Indicative reading list
Brown, F., et al. (eds.) Vaccine Design (Wiley Scientific, 1993).
Cox, F. E. G. Modern Parasitology: A Textbook of Parasitology
(Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1993).
Lankinen, K. S., et al. (eds.) Health and Disease in Developing Countries (Macmillan Press, 1994).
Medley, G. F. (eds.) “Conflicts between the individual and communities in treatment and control.” In Models for Infectious Human Diseases (Cambridge University Press, 1996). Three copies of this chapter are available in BSSRC.
Nguyen, L. and Pieters, J. (2009). Mycobacterial Subversion of Chemotherapeutic Reagents and Host Defense Tactics: Challenges in Tuberculosis Drug Development. Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology 49.
Pepper, D. J, Meintjes, G. A, Mcllleron, H., Wilkinson, R. J. (2007). Combined therapy for Tuberclosis and HIV-1: the challenge for drug discovery. Drug Discovery Today 12: 980-989.
Investigating in Health. (World Bank Development Report, 1993).
Subject specific skills
a. Demonstrate clear understanding of the scientific topic
b. Contain evidence of extended reading and lateral integration of material not covered in the lectures
c. Demonstrate independent thought and deep understanding
d. Specifically answer the set question using information from multiple lectures and sources
e. Be structured and formatted in a way that demonstrates understanding and logical flow
f. Use multiple sources to construct complex scientific arguments and integrating these to build and develop the student's own scientific conclusions.
Transferable skills
- Critical appraisal of source material
- Self directed learning
- Adult learning
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 sessions of 1 hour (17%) |
| Private study | 100 hours (83%) |
| Total | 120 hours |
Private study description
Independent learning, self directed learning and revision for final year exams.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group B1
| Weighting | Study time | |
|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 100% | |
|
1.5 hour examination (April): 2 essay- style questions from a choice of 4. |
||
Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be provided on Moodle after the exam board
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
UBSA-C1B9 Undergraduate Biomedical Science
- Year 3 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
- Year 3 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
- Year 3 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
-
ULFA-C1A3 Undergraduate Biomedical Science (MBio)
- Year 3 of C1A3 Biomedical Science
- Year 3 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
- Year 3 of ULFA-C1A7 Undergraduate Biomedical Science with Industrial Placement (MBio)
This module is Optional for:
- Year 4 of ULFA-C113 Undergraduate Biological Sciences (with Placement Year)
- Year 3 of ULFA-C1A5 Undergraduate Biological Sciences with Industrial Placement (MBio)
This module is Option list A for:
-
UBSA-3 Undergraduate Biological Sciences
- Year 3 of C100 Biological Sciences
- Year 3 of C100 Biological Sciences
- Year 3 of ULFA-C1A1 Undergraduate Biological Sciences (MBio)