250-210 Veterinary Microbiology & Virology

At the end of the sequence Veterinary Microbiology & Virology and Veterinary Bacteriology & Mycology, students completing these subjects should: possess the essential information on the important characteristics of bacteria, fungi and viruses and the way they exert their pathogenic effects and produce clinical signs of disease; understand the distribution of microbes in nature and the manner by which those of veterinary importance are spread; be familiar with the methods of disinfection and sterilisation and their use in practice; understand the principles of anti-microbial therapy; understand the need for rational judgments in the use of antimicrobial therapy; understand the immune response infection and possible abnormalities of the responses; understand the principles and use of vaccines in the control of infectious diseases; be familiar with the methods of diagnosis of infectious diseases; understand the principles of non-therapeutic control measures; understand approaches to the diagnosis of infectious disease(including the isolation and identification of pathogens and their detection using immunoassays).

Topics include: general microbiology; immunity to microbial pathogens, virology and practical exercises in immunodiagnostics and veterinary virology.

At the end of the sequence Veterinary Microbiology and Virology and Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology students completing these subjects should have:

• the skills required to be efficient managers of information;

• the skills to apply technology to the analysis of biological problems; and

• developed skills in report writing.

One 2-hour written exam (55%) and a 1-hour practical exam (20%) both at the end of semester. Three short tests (each of 15 minutes) during the semester (15%) and indicated in the teaching timetable available at the commencement of the semester. A vaccination assignment and presentation (10%).