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Unit of study_

AVBS2001: Introductory Veterinary Pathogenesis

2025 unit information

The overarching theme for this unit of study is the concept of the interaction between the host (or the animal), the agent of disease (genetics, physical, chemical and infectious agents) and environmental factors. In disease states, the host responds to the aetiological agent of disease and the environment through one of the basic five pathological processes that occur in tissues. These include inflammation and repair, degeneration and necrosis, circulatory disturbances, tissue deposits and pigments, and disorders of growth. A case based approach will be used whenever possible to illustrate these principles and enable the student to develop a problem solving approach and the skills of critical thinking.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Science

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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(BIOL1XX7 or MBLG1XX1) and (BIOL1XX1 or BIOL1XX2 or BIOL1XX6 or AVBS1XXX)
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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The basic structure, morphology, metabolism and behaviour of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Fundamental histological structure and function of cells and key tissues, including blood vessels, skin, liver, lung, kidneys, intestine, and organs and cells of the immune system (lymph node, spleen, white blood cells)

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe the pathogenesis of disease in terms of the basic interactions between the host, agents of disease and the environment
  • LO2. apply an understanding of the host-pathogen-environment interaction to propose potential ways that environmental changes (natural or in husbandry) might increase or decrease the susceptibility of the host to disease
  • LO3. explain the concept that the basic pathological processes of immunity, inflammation and repair, circulatory disturbances, disorders of growth and tissue deposits and pigments are host responses that manifest as disease. You should be able to describe what each of these processes involves, relate them to the changes that take place in tissues, and, on an elementary level, recognize and methodically describe and interpret these changes in histological sections
  • LO4. describe the range of agents of disease (such as genetics, physical (e.g. heat, trauma) and chemical agents (e.g. nutrients, toxins and drugs) and infectious agents; describe the basic structure, morphology and behaviour of infectious agents of disease (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and metazoa), and explain the general mechanisms by which they cause disease
  • LO5. evaluate the usefulness of cytology, histopathology, practical microbiological and parasitological techniques and immunology- based tests in disease investigations in both diagnostic work and research and be able to select appropriate specimens for these techniques

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.