Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health
Code LIFE328
Coordinator Dr E Michalopoulou
School of Veterinary Science
E.Michalopoulou@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE216 None 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 23
This refers to timetabled Lectures in which core concepts are introduced
  5
This refers to 5 timetabled 1 hr group tutorials where concepts are discussed in detail
3
This refers to two timetabled practicals (one 2hr practical and one 1 hr practical) where students apply their knowledge
    31
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 119
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  120  Semester 2  70  Yes    Written exam Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 1 cannot be anonymous because it is based on a group project. The group work consists of exercises that are completed, as a group, as part of the Epidemiology tutorials. The students will have to compile the exercises and submit them collectively. 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1500 words  Semester 2  30  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Group project 

Aims

1. To develop in students the ability to use epidemiological and statistical methods for research applications in bioveterinary sciences and animal sciences

2. To provide students with an overview of the main zoonoses and their control, including the legal framework, in different animal species
 
3. To develop in students knowledge and understanding of the basic principles and a pplications of food hygiene and technology  for food of animal origin in relation to public health

Learning Outcomes

To critically discuss the importance of epidemiology and statistics for veterinary science, animal science and human medical science

To apply and interpret epidemiological and statistical methods in appropriate situations

To discuss the pathogenesis and diagnosis of a variety of animal and human diseases and their control in the context of infectious and parasitic diseases.

To appraise the scientific basis for the legislative control of food and protection of the environment

To apply the principles of risk analysis, particularly as they relate to food safety at all stages of the food chain

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - This refers to timetabled Lectures in which core concepts are introduced

Tutorial - This refers to 5 timetabled 1 hr group tutorials where concepts are discussed in detail

Laboratory Work - This refers to two timetabled practicals (one 2hr practical and one 1 hr practical) where students apply their knowledge

Syllabus
1 

 

THEME 1   Introduction to epidemiology

Epidemiology and clinical veterinary medicine, animal health and public health
·         How to use Epidemiological methods to investigate the Causes of disease and the effectiveness of treatments, and how to assess the importance of possible Risk Factors 
·         Arrangement and manipulation of data for statistical analysis; advanced statistical techniques, such as logistic regression and survival analysis and other methods that are particularly relevant to research into disease and health
·         Disease Transmission, R0 and outbreak investigation
·         Diagnostic Tests, and their usefulness for clinical diagnosis and for the control of diseases within populations    
·         Mathematical models for infectious disease;
·         Study design including clinical trials; randomisation; looking for causality;
·         Epidemiology of communicable/vector borne diseases
·         Evidence based medicine
·         Disease surveillance and related legislation
·         Critical review of published and other literature;

                                                                                           

THEME 2   Veterinary public health issues relating to farm animals

Who’s Who in Veterinary Public Health and State medicine
Introduction to zoonoses of farm animals
Enteric infections of farm animals
Abortions  
Bovine tuberculosis
 

THEME 3   Veterinary public health issues relating to small animals

Introduction to zoonoses of s mall animals and ‘other pets’
Human-animal interactions
Rabies: disease, reservoirs and control
Companion animal surveillance systems
 

THEME 4   Veterinary public health issues relating to food of animal origin (delivered by lectures and practical classes)

Food Microbiology
Food technology
Food Risk profiling including sessions for Meat, Milk, eggs, fish/seafood
Microbiological criteria
Risk based decisions in the industry
Water and health
 

THEME 5 - Veterinary and human public health-r elated issues

Human food poisoning
Occupational zoonoses
          Emerging infectious diseases

Module material will be delivered primarily through standard lectures. To support independent learning, materials on VITAL (such as lecture handouts and links to research articles) and other web-based resour ces will be provided. Regular tutorials will guide students through specialised topic areas in statistics. In tutorials, students will also discuss epidemiology exercises that they work on together as a group prior to the tutorials. Students will be guided to key articles in the literature (textbooks, original papers and review articles) and be expected to use this material to supplement their independent learning. At regular intervals formative assessment exercises will test knowledge and ability to solve problems and feedback will be provided electronically and through model answers

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List:

Thrusfield, M. (2013). Veterinary Epidemiology, Wiley.

Buncic, S. (2006). Integrated Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, CABI Pub.

Krauss, H. (2003). Zoonoses: Infectious Diseases Transmissible from Animals to Humans, ASM Press.