BI3ZE2: Epidemiology of Zoonotic Diseases

Module code: BI3ZE2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Francoise Mazet, email: f.m.mazet@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Glyn Barrett, email: glyn.barrett@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Zoonotic diseases (or Zoonoses) are defined as diseases which can be transmitted to humans from animals. Diseases which originate from wildlife or livestock either as hosts or vectors pose significant issues for the health and well-being of people, companion animals as well as other livestock and wild animals. This module will provide you with a detailed background and knowledge of a range of zoonotic disease-causing organisms, their hosts and vectors, symptoms associated with zoonoses and their impact on human health and the economy. You will understand the co-evolution of hosts and diseases as well as the control of zoonotic diseases through management of disease agents, their hosts and vectors. You will also learn about the role of epidemiological modelling in devising effective management strategies. Specific examples of zoonotic diseases will be discussed in this module. These will include but not be confined to: Influenza A, Covid-19, Lyme disease, Malaria, Ebola, rabies and plague. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Describe and discuss a range of emerging zoonotic infectious diseases, the factors and agents relating to the emergence of these diseases, and their relative importance in terms of human health and economic impacts.  
2. Describe and discuss taxonomic differences in the role of wildlife including insects as vectors of diseases which affect humans, their companion animals and livestock.  
3. Describe, discuss and critically evaluate the mechanisms and approaches used to manage diseases which involve wildlife animals and livestock as host and/or vectors at local, national and international scales.  
4. Gain experience in the review and critical analysis of primary scientific literature and the real-world implications of their studies.  

Module content

A series of lectures will cover topics relating to the epidemiology and management of zoonotic diseases. Introductory lectures will address the range of diseases and disease-causing agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) which affect animal and human health, economic interests including livestock and the impact of disease management on wildlife animals.  

Subsequent sets of lectures will address:  

• zoonotic diseases, including emerging infectious diseases;   
• the human-livestock-wildlife interfaces;  
• the conservation impacts of diseases;  
• success (or lack) of historical disease management strategies and the range of approaches used to combat them (e.g. disease surveillance schemes; veterinary-based approaches, including the use of vaccines; approaches aimed at controlling vector populations). 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, group work, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard. 

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs