AP2A35: Animal Health and Disease

Module Provider:

Agriculture

Number of credits:

10 [5 ECTS credits]

Level:

I (Intermediate)

Terms in which taught:

Spring

Module Convenor:

Dr MJ Bryant

Pre-requisites:

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2007/8

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of animal health and disease. Emphasis is placed on the challenges posed by disease and the responses of animals to such challenges as well as the wider issues linking animal and human health. Consideration is also given to maintenance of good animal health and preventive medicine.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
• Describe signs of good health in animals
• Describe the relationships between the disease challenges faced by the animal and its responses to those challenges
• Describe the major diseases and health problems afflicting the dominant species of farm and companion animals
• Define methods for preventing or controlling animal diseases

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
The module is intended to provide an overview of the health and disease issues associated with farm and companion animals. Contents include general considerations of welfare, disease challenge and immunity, major health and disease issues in cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, poultry, dogs and cats, and means of maintaining health and welfare in farm and companion species. The module will be of interest and relevance to students of agriculture, animal science and other biological science degrees.

The Lecture Content covers:

• General concepts of health and disease in domestic animals
• The causes of disease and poor health
• The defences and responses of animals to diseases
• The methods for preventing or controlling animal diseases
• The principles necessary for the maintenance of health in livestock

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
There will be two 50-minute lectures each week. Students are required to undertake independent research into a given animal health topic and prepare a 15-minute presentation and a written report of 2000 words. A second report of 1500 words is required of the disease challenges to, and the biosecurity measures taken by, a named animal facility.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
The project provides the basis for a practical report to be submitted by the last day of the Spring Term and a presentation and class discussion. The presentation and report on the animal health topic are each worth 15% of the assessment, while the report on the animal facility is worth 20%Relative percentage of coursework : 50%
Penalties for late submission
Standard University rule applies: 10% marks deducted for work submitted up to one week late. Work submitted more than one week late will be awarded a zero mark.
Examinations
1.5-hour examination requiring the answers to two out of four questions.
Relative percentage of examination: 50%
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall.
Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in September only