91195 Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Infections

Description

Infectious diseases have had an enormous impact on human civilisation, killing more people than all wars combined. Most viruses and bacteria do not cause infections in humans. In Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Infections, students explore why and how some organisms cause infections in humans. Students learn about different classes of human pathogens; viral, bacterial and protozoa. Students discuss challenges in treatment, the threat of antibiotic resistance, the importance of vaccinations and pandemic control strategies. Students learn basic epidemiological principles and methods and apply these to investigate real case studies. In practical classes, students explore which bacteria live on your hands and the effectiveness of sanitisers, investigate food poisoning outbreaks, perform viral identification and quantification, and explore and principles in parasitology. Students also perform cell culture techniques involved in viral propagation.

Students who complete this subject develop professional skills relevant to both the infectious disease field and wider sectors, including skills in learning to analyse evidence and apply critical thinking to investigate and identify pathogens. Students apply epidemiological, social, and health interventions to study globally prevalent and emerging infectious diseases, and how this influences populations both locally and globally. Students develop science communication skills and in small groups produce a short video for the wider public explaining the risks of a current human pathogen and how they might mitigate these risks.