MSc Medical Microbiology

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Global Health and Epidemiology

Course unit fact file
Unit code MEDN68642
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The purpose of this unit is to understand the context of disease within the population; what factors influence spread and impact of infection within and between a communities; what control measures are required to control and prevent outbreaks of disease within and between communities; what global factors are important in influencing public health and why is public/global health surveillance important.

Key topics covered are;

  • Concepts in global health including population descriptors and data
  • Principles of epidemiology including study design
  • Public health consequences and control measures for sporadic cases and outbreaks of infectious disease
  • Disease causation
  • The role of public health surveillance methods for emerging infections
  • Outbreak investigation methods
  • The impact of increased global travel on infection patterns
  • Screening programmes in relation to public health
  • The role of vaccines in improving Global Health

Aims

The unit aims to enable students to understand the impact of infection on human populations, the methodology used to investigate infectious disease outbreaks and the role of public health monitoring in a global context.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 30%
Set exercise 70%

Feedback methods

  • Feedback on assignments will be given in accordance with Unviersity guidelines
  • Informal feedback on a one-to-one basis in practical sessions
  • Verbal feedback in seminar/tutorial sessions
  • Formal feedback at the end of the unit from students

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 14
Tutorials 2
Independent study hours
Independent study 134

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Stavros Panagiotou Unit coordinator

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