AP2A35-Animal Health and Disease

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Kate Johnson
Email: k.f.johnson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

How do we keep animals in the best possible health? Animals in our care depend on us to ensure their health by managing environment, minimising pathogens, and maximising animal defences.

At the centre of the animal science degree programme sits this module of health and disease. This module will consider individual immunology through to broad OneHealth approaches. An introduction to epidemiology and selected examples of diseases in the domestic species is at the centre of this module, informing teaching on health planning and coming in small group and individual work on specific pathogens as well as health planning.

This module is core for Animal Science students and also open to related degrees, particularly those with an interest in livestock management.

Aims:

• Develop foundational knowledge in animal biology to equip students to continue their studies in different species and contexts.


• To develop students’ skills in practical work and put theoretical knowledge in practical contexts.


• Embed anatomy and physiology from basic concepts through to applied examples so that students can link examples of animal health, ill health, and behaviour to their underlying physiology

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Describe and explain the underlying concepts and principles of contagious disease epidemiology, and apply those principles to selected examples of important contagious diseases in domestic species


• Describe and explain, using evidence from the peer reviewed literature how animals recover from disease including the intrinsic (immunology) and extrinsic factors (antimicrobials)


• Evaluate methods for preventing or controlling animal diseases and create evidence-based plans for disease prevention.

Additional outcomes:

Students will have the opportunity to develop/enhance the following transferrable skills:

• Team work


• Independent work


• Verbal communication and presentation skills


• Written communication


• Critical analysis

Outline content:

The module is intended to provide an overview of the health and disease issues associated with farm and companion animals. Contents include general considerations of health, disease challenge and immunity, and means of maintaining health and welfare in farm and companion species. The module will be of interest and relevance to students of agriculture, animal science and other biological science degrees.

The Lecture Content covers:

• Immunology


• Epidemiology and infectious disease– with case study/examples in the domestic species


• Epidemiological factors that influence disease susceptibility


• Disease management and health planning, including practical teaching of disease scoring


• The principles necessary for the maintenance of health in domesticated animals

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be two 50-minute lectures each week. Students are required to (1) undertake a group exercise and (2) an independent piece of coursework.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Guided independent study:		80
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Written assignment including essay	30
Oral assessment and presentation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:
One and a half hour examination requiring the answers to two of four questions.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework:

• Team presentation (30% of module mark)


• Individual ‘health plan’ written assignment (30% of module mark)

Formative assessment methods:

In class question and answer, and discussion

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August / September only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023