BSc Biology

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.