Poultry Path & Diagnosis of Diseases

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

This subject is delivered on-line.

Students must be admitted to the Postgraduate Certificate in Avian Health or the Community Acccess Program.

Students must have successfully completed Poultry Industry Fieldwork with a result of at least 65 to be eligible for this subject

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Current and practical experience working in the poultry industry

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It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability will impact on their academic performance are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Competency in gross pathology is a core skill for the avian practitioner. This Unit will review the diseases affecting chickens, turkeys and ducks, the clinical signs and lesions seen with these diseases, how to construct differential diagnosis lists and what samples are most appropriate to make a definitive diagnosis.

Poultry pathology and diseases are covered by body systems in a series of image rich lectures. An online database of infectious and non-infectious poultry diseases PathMan™ (the Pathology Manual) is the main text for this Unit. You will apply what you have learnt throughout this subject by working through exercises and computer assisted case studies. A case of the week, relevant to the body system being studied is presented for discussion by the tutor.

Upon successful completion of this subject, students will:
• Have a sound working knowledge of the major disease conditions (infectious and non-infectious) of poultry;
• Be able to apply an advanced level of skills in diagnosing this diseases;
• Develop adequate differential and then final diagnoses of disease using the most appropriate confirmatory laboratory testing;
• Evaluate the relevant professional and scientific literature in avian pathology; and
• Develop proficiency in the systematic assessment and writing-up of case studies and reports in avian pathology.

Assessment is carried out at the end of each month. Student progress is monitored through class exercises and case studies. The final examination is a three-hour written and online exam held in weeks 16 and 17. You will be required to identify a University near you where you can be supervised when sitting the exam.

The breakdown of the assessment is:

• Monthly assessment tests (25% of the final mark)
• Assignments (20% of the final mark)
• Class Participation (5% of the final mark)
• Final Examination (50% of the final mark)

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_A Colour Atlas of Avian Histopathology_, (1996) Randall CJ and Reece RL, Mosby-Wolfe, London.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students in the Postgraduate Certificate in Avian Health should:

• Possess medium- to high-level computing skills;
• Apply critical and analytical skills to the identification and resolution of problems;
• Communicate effectively; and
• Have good time management skills.

Reliable internet access with at least a medium speed connection and a personal computer are essential for undertaking the Avian Health Online program. The content is accessed through your web browser. Microsoft Office™ and Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent software packages are necessary for assessment tasks, assignments and some class exercises.