DISEASES OF ANIMAL SYSTEMS: RESPIRATORY DISEASES OF ANIMALS - 2019/0

Module Overview

Infectious respiratory diseases are a major animal welfare concern, in a diverse variety of animals ranging from companion, to farm animals. For example, respiratory disease in cattle is estimated, conservatively, to cost the UK industry £60 million annually, causing weight loss, and mortality. Some of these diseases are associated with a single aetiological agent, yet others are the result of a complex interaction between various infectious agents (bacterial, viral or both), the environment, and the immunological status of the individual animal. The aim of this module is to provide you with an in-depth understanding of these important infectious diseases in terms of the nature of the pathogens that cause them, the mechanisms of pathogenesis and the control measures that can be put in place to control them.

Module provider

School of Veterinary Medicine

Module Leader

SELEMETAS Nick (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

JACs code: C522

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Comparative anatomy of the respiratory tract

Anatomy of the respiratory tract

Chlamydia/Chlamydophila: an obligate intracellular parasite - diversity of hosts and symptoms     

Classic respiratory bacterial pathogens  Moraxellas  

Classic respiratory bacterial pathogens Burkholderia,  Pseudomonas         

Respiratory viruses Bovine respiratory syncytial virus         

Streptococcus equi    

The Mycoplasmas     

Avian Influenza Virus 

Parasitic pneumonia Dictyocaulus vivparus/filarial & other lung worms (e.g. Angiostrongylus vasorum    

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus      

Bacillus anthracis-special topic of bioterrorism         

Herpesviruses (IBR and EHV 1 / EHV4 )      

Distemper virus          

Newcastle disease virus        

Multi-agent concept of respiratory disease (e.g. bacterial infection as sequel) e.g. Colisepticaemia/ shipping fever/ kennel cough or rhinitis atrophicans 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

Coursework   comprising:

(i) Two “Rapid Reports”, 1000 words each in which each student will present a written report on a specific topic and present a 5 min overview of the report using no more than five p.p.t. slides and accompanying notes (40%) and

(ii) a major presentation in which each student will select from a ‘hot topics list’ a subject for study and development of a detailed presentation in the form of no more than 12 p.p.t. data slides to be presented verbally and as a paper copy with hand out notes appended (60%) (submission deadlines as timetabled). 

Students will receive verbal feedback during each lecture – this is achieved by the Lecturers asking questions and assessing student responses and input into discussions. The lecturer will then highlight areas of confusion or provide clarity where necessary. Individual one-to-one discussions are also possible with this small group of students. 

Module aims

• To provide an in-depth understanding of infectious diseases of the respiratory system of animals (nature of the different causative agents, symptoms, detection, treatment and control)
• To provide an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of diseases unique to the respiratory system in animals and with special reference to control measures that can limit their spread. 

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Develop Cognitive Skills:

  Evaluate considerations relating pathogen and niche

  Evaluate considerations relating to diagnosis and control

Develop Key / Transferable skills:

 Work independently demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time management

 Communicate effectively orally and in written work

 Participate in group discussions and in group assignments

 Investigate and analyse problems

The learning and teaching methods include:

•           Lectures from University staff

•           Lectures from external experts

•           Group presentations by student

•           Practical elements/Lab classes 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

Reading list for DISEASES OF ANIMAL SYSTEMS: RESPIRATORY DISEASES OF ANIMALS : http://aspire.surrey.ac.uk/modules/mmvm008

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.