Disease Investigation at Farm Level

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

This subject is delivered on-line.

Approximately 112 hours per semester

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

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 may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Correctly identifying an emergency animal disease on the farm, interpreting the circumstances precipitating its appearance, and devising immediate control measures in anticipation of a larger campaign, lie at the heart of a response.

Lectures, tutorials, and a practical exercise will train students in ascertaining and recording epidemiological history, clinical details and the performance of a post mortem examination. These will form the background to designing an immediate on-farm response.

On completion of this subject, students will have gained:

• detailed knowledge of history-taking, clinical examination, post-mortem examination and sampling needed at farm level where an EAD is suspected;
• understanding of environmental and management factors as they impact on disease dynamics; and
• knowledge of risk-factor analysis as it applies to the design of a disease response at farm level.

Students will be assessed on participation in on-line forums, an on-line quiz in week 5, a practical exercise in week 7 and a written exam in weeks 9 and 10. Students will be required to arrange an appropriate venue (e.g. a nearby university) to sit this assessment under supervised examination conditions.

The assessment components of this subject are:

• Participation in on-line forums (5%)
• On-line quiz (10%)
• Practical exercise (20%)
• Written 2-hour exam (60%)

Students will use a reading list of scientific articles from the current literature, which will be provided on-line.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed their:

• problem-solving and analytical skills; and
• integration of knowledge from various sources.

Reliable internet access with at least a medium speed connection and a personal computer are essential for undertaking this 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.