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Epidemiology of Epidemics (VETS90086)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Overview
Availability | February - Online |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Animal disease epidemics have many unique epidemiological features, most obviously a potential for a high rate of transmission in fully susceptible populations. This expresses itself as an “epidemic curve” where the number of reported cases increases rapidly until control measures become effective, followed by a gradual decline. Thus animal disease managers are faced with a series of common problems when dealing with epidemics, including developing and/or interpreting epidemic models, implementing field procedures to diagnostic test systems for rapid diagnosis and undertaking freedom from disease surveys.
This subject will use online lecture notes and study materials to provide students with an overview of the epidemiology of animal disease epidemics, which will be reinforced with detailed studies of epidemics in later subjects in Emergency Animal Diseases (VETS90087, VETS90088, VETS90089, VETS90090).
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will have gained:
- A basic understanding of the generalised course of animal disease epidemics in fully susceptible populations
- An overview of the main epidemiological questions faced by animal disease control managers during an epidemic
- A basic understanding of the main epidemiological tools and techniques to be used during an epidemic (e.g. modelling, GIS, etc)
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed their:
- Ability to understand the main epidemiological problems faced by animal disease control managers
- Ability to use the literature describing historical animal disease epidemics
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Students should have background knowledge in one of:
VETS50003
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
VETS90083 | Selection & Interpretation of Lab Tests | Winter Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Plus one of:
VETS50004
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
VETS90084 | Communication in Disease Emergencies | August (Online) |
12.5 |
Plus one of:
VETS50005
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
VETS90085 | Management in Disease Emergencies | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
Students will be assessed for participation in weekly forum discussions, a group assignment in approximately Week 5 and final written exam in approximately Week 9 or 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 held during semester (15%)
- Group assignment (4000 words) due in approximately Week 5 (25%)
- 2-hour final written exam held in approximately Week 9 or 10 (60%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- February - Online
Principal coordinator Simon Firestone Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Approximately 10-14 hours per week over an 8 week period Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 6 February 2017 to 31 March 2017 Last self-enrol date 16 February 2017 Census date 24 February 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 March 2017 Assessment period ends 14 April 2017 February contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
Prior to 2017 this subject was VETS50006 Epidemiology of Epidemics.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Thrusfield, M. (2005). Veterinary Epidemiology 3rd edition. Blackwell Science, Oxford.
E-book and hard copy available through UoM library.
- Subject 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 Office™ and Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent software packages are necessary for assessment tasks, assignments and some class exercises.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022