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BB50252: Infectious diseases

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2019/0
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 15      [equivalent to 30 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 300
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Academic Year
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 50%, EX-TH 50%*
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Research Presentation* (CW 50%)
  • Open book examination of 24 hours duration* (EX-TH 50%)

*Assessment updated due to Covid-19 disruptions
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The unit aims to provide a critical review of the molecular and clinical aspects of microbial pathogenicity (in humans), infectious disease transmission and development of interventions (such as vaccines) that can be utilised to reduce disease.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit you will be able to:
* Apply understanding to develop a critical awareness of the pathogenesis of disease caused by a number of key pathogens, the mechanisms of infection and host-defense and the emergence of virulence;
* Apply conceptual understanding to analyse how and why vaccines are useful for the prevention of disease, how they are developed and the limitations in their development;
* Critique a range of interventions for reduction of infectious disease, drawing on the current literature in the field;
* Communicate your critical evaluation and analyses through a formal presentation.

Content:
Content particularly focuses on pathogenesis of bacterial infections; transmission of infection and strategies to reduce transmission; vaccine immunology; uses and limitations of vaccines to prevent communicable diseases. Specific case studies will highlight where the interactions that occur between a named pathogen and its host. Using examples such as Staphylococcus aureus (the MRSA superbug), it outlines disease management and how this is likely to influence the future evolution of the pathogen.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

BB50252 is Optional (DEU) on the following programmes:

Department of Biology & Biochemistry
  • RSBB-AFM51 : Integrated PhD Molecular Biosciences (Microbiology)
  • TSBB-AFM51 : MSc Molecular Biosciences (Microbiology)

Notes: