Our Planet, Our Health (UNIB10017)

Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This interdisciplinary subject will introduce students to the core concepts of One Health in its broadest sense, as a concept that describes the interconnectedness of the health of humans, animals and the environment. Key themes that will be explored during the course, with reference to case studies, will include:

  • The historical progression of animal health, wildlife health and conservation;
  • Sustainable agricultural development, food security and human nutrition across a range of country/development contexts;
  • Emerging infectious diseases at the animal/human interface, the role of infection reservoirs, intermediate hosts and vectors;
  • The ecology of microbial pathogens, including food borne diseases and the development of antimicrobial resistance;
  • Surveillance and response in a One Health framework;
  • Societal norms and behaviours in relation to the intersection of human and animal health;
  • The holistic concept of “One Health” in the context of indigenous health; and
  • Ethical, political, cultural and governance challenges in the “One Health” domain.

 

Intended learning outcomes

Students undertaking this subject will:

Gain a deeper and broader understanding of the complex interplay between human, animal and ecosystem health including the historical and current influence of anthropogenic change in different cultures and contexts.

Specifically, they will learn to:

  • Discuss the importance of food security and human nutrition for sustainable development in diverse settings;
  • Identify important risk factors and determinants of emerging infectious diseases at the animal-human interface
  • Appreciate the interconnectedness of microbial pathogens across ecosystems, with implications for foodborne disease and emergence of antimicrobial resistance;
  • Describe and discuss the integrated surveillance and response strategies necessary to realise the benefits of a One Health approach;
  • Understand and discuss the powerful role of social and cultural norms, beliefs and behaviours in shaping the intersection of human and animal health;
  • Recognise and appreciate the various political, cultural, economic and governance challenges that impede the implementation of One Health in diverse settings.

Generic skills

  • Develop academic excellence with an in-depth knowledge of the area of One Health, develop an aptitude for continued self-directed learning and become adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
  • Become knowledgeable across disciplines, including an ability to examine critically, synthesis and evaluate knowledge (incorporating knowledge and skills from their own discipline with those of others), are able to participate fully in multi-disciplinary collaborations and to confront unfamiliar problems
  • Be able to become leaders in their communities through the engagement in meaningful public discourse on the subject of One Health and related disciplines and develop excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills
  • Will be attuned to cultural diversity through valuing different cultures, having an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our and other communities and respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
  • Will become active global citizens, by accepting their social and civic responsibilities, being advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment and having a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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: 14 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

One hour multi choice online assessment

  • 60 minutes
Week 835%

Weekly participation in tutorials and practical exercise throughout the teaching period

From Week 1 to Week 1010%

Final essay

  • 1500 words
During the examination period55%

Additional details

Assessment task two requires students to contribute to tutorial discussion on weekly basis, to be assessed by the tutor. To facilitate the student's engagement in the tutorial from weeks 2-11 a small number of students (one or two depending on tutorial size) will allocated to read the set reading for the following week and summarise the contents briefly to the class at the commencement of the next tutorial, taking up to a maximum of 10 minutes. Each student will be asked to summarise a reading once. Completion of this task plus overall contributions to discussion across the semester will be assessed. 

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorsKenneth Winkel and Anke Wiethoelter
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

    Semester 2 contact information

    kdw@unimelb.edu.au & anke.wiethoelter@unimelb.edu.au

    Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

    OR

    Currently enrolled students:

    Future Students:



Time commitment details

134 additonal study time

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 14 March 2025