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Course & Unit Catalogues


SL30088: Vaccines and other health interventions

[Page last updated: 03 June 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you are advised to take BB20027 OR take BB20202 OR take BB20224 OR take SL20019 OR take SL20020 OR take SL20022
Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to:
* Describe and explain the pathogenesis of disease caused by a number of key pathogens;
* Describe and explain how and why vaccines are useful for the prevention of disease;
* Describe and explain how vaccines can be developed, illustrating concepts with multiple specific examples;
* Describe and explain the limitations of vaccines and difficulties in their development;
* Describe and explain other interventions for reduction of infectious disease.


Aims: This is a challenging unit to introduce principles of microbial pathogenicity (of humans), microbial transmission and interventions that can be utilised to reduce disease. To provide an overview of the design and use of vaccines with specific examples to illustrate the points. (NOTE: Students considering taking this unit should have a specific interest in molecular aspects of microbial pathogenicity.)

Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F.

Content: Introduction to the impact of vaccines; correlates of protection: common themes in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections; transmission of infection and strategies to reduce transmission; vaccine immunology; uses and limitations of vaccines to prevent Tuberculosis; meningococcal disease; anthrax; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Bordetella pertussis; HIV; influenza.

Course availability:

SL30088 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USSL-AFB02 : BSc(Hons) Biology (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Biology with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USSL-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKB03 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USSL-AFM01 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKM01 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USSL-AFM02 : MBiol(Hons) Biology (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKM02 : MBiol(Hons) Biology with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • USSL-AFM03 : MBioMed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 3)
  • USSL-AKM03 : MBioMed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.