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The aim of this unit is to introduce host-pathogen interactions and disease as general ecological phenomena that extend far beyond the clinical/ biomedical context and have considerable relevance for agriculture and conservation. Another central aim is to foster active, self-paced, independent learning in a blended unit that is delivered online, with optional face-to-face workshop sessions and ample online support. It is assessed entirely by coursework to promote the development of skills that are relevant for authentic professional work.

 

Students will

• Develop an understanding of disease in nature that integrates microbiological, physiological, genetic, ecological, evolutionary and economic perspectives.
• Use this knowledge to explain outbreaks of disease in nature that are of significant concern to agriculture or conservation biology.
• Build a basic knowledge of how the identity and mode of transmission of disease agents are elucidated.
• Practise reasoning skills and critical thinking by writing a small research proposal for a disease with currently unknown agent and mode of transmission. (Major coursework option a) OR produce a screencast of a research seminar  on a high-profile pathogen of their choice (Major coursework option b). 
• Hone their presentation skills in recording a brief Science Café- style introduction (audio only) to the same topic.

Using a series of high-profile case studies (e.g. chytridiomycosis, white nose syndrome of bats, wheat rust, potato late blight), students will learn about the biology of disease in six modules:

•       Introduction: case studies- what is disease?, animal vs plant hosts, physiology and cell biology of host-pathogen interactions (wk 1-2);

•       Disease agents: focus on filamentous pathogens (fungi and oomycetes), life cycles, disease cycle (wk 3-4);

•       Disease ecology: epidemiology, quantitative models, vectors, disease management (wk 5-6);

•       Research methods: how do we identify agents of disease and their mode of transmission? (wk 7-8)

•       Pathogen-host coevolution: genetics of tolerance/ resistance/ susceptibility and virulence (wk 9-10)

•       Disease in agriculture (incl. crop breeding for disease resistance) and wildlife conservation; global economic and ecological relevance (wk 11-12)

Two options are available for the major coursework (60%):

Research proposal (3-4 pages): Identification of an unknown disease agent and its mode of transmission.  OR

Research seminar screencast (8 min): Slides and screencast of a pathogen of choice that is not covered elsewhere in the course.

Follow-up tasks- Multiple Choice Quiz (30%): Learning modules 2-4 are assessed by multiple choice quizzes. These are based on independent research and/or work with online tools, eg, annotating a phylogenetic tree, researching pathogen life cycles, running epidemiological simulations.

Science Café-style talk (10%): Introduction to a pathogen of choice for a non-expert audience.

Formative feedback is available for draft research proposals submitted by week 8 (final proposal due wk 12). Formative feedback is also given with all marked assessments.

The year studying abroad is an integral part of the course and must be completed. Some costs, such as tuition fees, are substantially lower. Other costs can vary and are not included in the tuition fee. For example, living costs may be higher or lower than the UK, and there are travel-related costs to consider, such as paying for a passport, visa fees, health insurance, and (if needed) vaccinations.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's (PDF document, 91KB).

Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low income households.