Introductory description

This module examines the links between health and our community. It takes contamination of food and water as a starting point and continues with emerging infections, and the discovery and misuse of antimicrobials. The epidemiological techniques used to track infections can be adapted to non-infectious disease, which is explored before examining the issue of ageing at both population and individual levels. The teaching then returns to microbiology and concludes with the less everyday subject of bioterrorism.

Module web page

Module aims

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.

1. Food- and water-borne infections: food and water microbiology, Hurdle and HACCP control and the microbiome
2. Emerging infectious agents: viral, bacterial emerging disease and the effect of environmental
3. Antimicrobials: discovery and resistance mechanisms
4. The epidemiology of non-infectious disease
5. Ageing
6. Bioterrorism

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• 1. Gain an appreciation of the requirements for and the methods of control of contamination of food and water.2. Understand emerging and re-emerging infections. 3. Gain an integrated understanding of the use and misuse of antibiotics, their generic structures and their modes of action4. Understand the effect that ageing has on society, the mechanisms that lead to ageing and dietary interventions to increase healthspan5. Understand potential misuse of organisms for bioterrorism in the context of impact on communities.

Subject specific skills

Short Answer Exam Questions: these will be graded on a students ability to recall scientific information under exam conditions on topics covered during the module. The exam will be short answer questions, covering concepts and core information that underscore them:

a. Demonstrate clear understanding of the scientific topic

b. Demonstrate understanding of the main scientific concepts covered in the module learning objectives

c. Demonstrate lateral integration / assimilation of concepts and topics covered in multiple lectures

Exam Essays: these will be graded on a students ability to recall scientific information under exam conditions on topics covered during the module. A good essay will:

a. Demonstrate clear understanding of the scientific topic

b. Demonstrate independent thought and deep understanding

c. Specifically answer the set question using information from multiple lectures and sources

d. Be structured and formatted in a way that demonstrates understanding and logical flow

e. Use multiple sources to construct complex scientific arguments and integrating these to build and develop the student's own scientific conclusions.

Transferable skills

1. Independent Learning
2. Self-directed and group based learning
3. Adult learning