Emergency Animal Diseases 3

Subject VETS50009 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 5 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

February, Parkville - Taught online/distance.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 09-Feb-2015 to 03-Apr-2015
Assessment Period End 17-Apr-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 19-Feb-2015
Census Date 27-Feb-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 27-Mar-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Approximately 10-14 hours per week over an 8-week period
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

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

Coordinator

Dr Simon Firestone

Contact

Email: vet-publichealth@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject focuses on eradicable infectious diseases.

Within the past 50 years a number of previously endemic diseases have been successfully eradicated from a number of countries, including bovine tuberculosis (BTB), bovine brucellosis, contagious pleuropneumonia, rinderpest and rabies. Although similar general eradication strategies were applied (usually by vaccination and/or test and slaughter) each of these diseases posed distinct challenges when eradication strategies were implemented in different countries. Thus, for example, BTB was readily eradicated from Australia but due to a wildlife reservoir, not from New Zealand.

This subject will use online lecture notes and study materials to provide students with an in-depth understanding of developing and implementing an animal disease eradication strategy. Accordingly, it will deepen the understanding gained from VETS50003 Selection and Interpretation of Lab Tests and VETS50006 Epidemiology of Epidemics, and expand on the understanding from VETS50007 Emergency Animal Disease 1 and VETS50008 Emergency Animal Diseases 2

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject, students will have gained:

  • a comprehensive understanding of epidemiology and diagnosis of several important eradicable animal diseases: bovine tuberculosis (BTB), bovine brucellosis, contagious pleuropneumonia, rinderpest and rabies;
  • an in-depth familiarity of the literature describing the events of some of the eradication campaigns of these diseases, including the pleuropneumonia and BTEC campaigns in Australia, the eradication of rabies from western Europe, and rinderpest from Africa and Asia; and
  • a capability to make a critical evaluation of the management of animal disease eradication campaigns, including handling the difficult tail end of a campaign when political will may be flagging and all detections need to be treated as emergencies.
Assessment:

Students will be assessed for participation in weekly forum discussions, group assignment in week 5 and final written exam in week 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 online forum discussions (15%)
  • Group assignment of 4000 words (25%)
  • Written 2-hour final exam (60%)
Prescribed Texts:

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

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

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

  • ability to critically interpret the scientific literature describing historical animal disease eradication campaigns; and
  • ability to read and write reports critically evaluating the planning and implementation of animal disease eradication programs.
Notes:

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 Officeâ„¢ and Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent software packages are necessary for assessment tasks, assignments and some class exercises.

Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Public Health (EAD)
Master of Veterinary Public Health (Emergency Animal Diseases)
Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Public Health (EAD)

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