Entry requirements

Biology, 80 credits equivalent to the basic course in biology within the Bachelor Programme in Biology.

Learning outcomes

The course should give an overview of essential infection process in different animals including man. An important aim is to give an understanding of how immune system and pathogen continuously evolve and adapt to one another.

After the course the student should be able to:

• describe common pathogenic viruses, how they are transmitted and evolve, and how viral epidemics and viral epizootics may arise;
• describe the dispersal of pathogenic bacteria and the mechanisms behind the increasing occurrence of antibiotic resistance;
• describe the most important zoonotic diseases and the role of wild and domesticated animals in the transmission of zoonoses;
• describe the most important invertebrate vectors for common human parasites and pathogens, and immunological mechanisms acting among invertebrates;
• exemplify the occurrence and transmission pathways of prion diseases in man and other mammals;
• describe the importance of parasites and infectious diseases in natural populations and the role of parasites and pathogens in the conservation of biological diversity;
• and be able to search, evaluate and compile information on infection biology as a written essay and an oral seminar presentation.

Content

The course shows how pathogenic organisms interact with their hosts. The course should also be a place for students to meet scientists and other professionals in medicine, veterinary medicine and biology. The course comprises lectures and seminars where the students present assignments orally and in writing, and analyse other students' assignments.

Instruction

Lectures and seminars.

Assessment

To pass the course, the following is required: (i) Attendance during the lectures is followed by a written examination (7 credits). (ii) A project work based on literature studies is presented as a written essay and an oral seminar.