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Unit of study_

AVBS3001: Agents of Disease

2025 unit information

Various microscopic and macroscopic organism can be seen to interact and adapt to the animal host, many of these interactions can lead to deleterious effects on animal health. The aim of this unit is to examine and appreciate the diversity of various disease causing agents (microbiological and parasitological) of significance to animal industries and the various strategies employed by those agents in the host-pathogen-environment interaction. This study is based on an understanding of the physical, chemical and genetic characteristics of infectious agents of disease and builds on the fundamental knowledge of pathological and immunological processes taught in 2000 level units of the Animal Health, Disesae and Welfare major. A scenario/case based approach will be used whenever possible to enable the students to develop problem solving approaches and skills in critical thinking. Cases selected will be those that best illustrate particular concepts and/or are of particular significance to the animal/veterinary industry. Research and industry focus activities will infuse the subject content and student learning outcomes of this unit. At the completion of the unit you will have acquired detail knowledge of relevant veterinary pathogens and an appreciation of how mangements strategies can impact upon disesae risk in animal populations. You will also gain practical skills in the laboratory diagnosis of many of these infectious agents. This unit is located at the Camperdown campus.

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:
? 
AVBS2001
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

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

  • LO1. Recognise, describe and name the common infectious disease-causing agents that impact the animal/veterinary industry
  • LO2. Explain the significance and interplay of the host-pathogen-environment- interaction (HPEI) in disease manifestation and animal production outcomes
  • LO3. Recognise the behavioural, pathological and productivity signs associated with given agents of disease
  • LO4. Know and perform the methods, tests and sampling strategies (including sampling and transport) which underpin the diagnosis of an infectious disease
  • LO5. Examine HPEI and apply these interactions in disease control and prevention strategies
  • LO6. Examine the various issues related to zoonoses, chemical treatment and food safety that affect handling and treatments for infectious agents
  • LO7. Employ the most recent information from literature to evaluate and assess new diagnostic techniques, therapeutics and management strategies to combat infectious disease in farmed and wild animal populations.

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 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Remote

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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