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PHPS40230

Academic Year 2024/2025

One Health (PHPS40230)

Subject:
Public Health & Population Sci
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Patrick Wall
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

One Health recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals, the health of plants and the health of the environment. The goal of One Health is to encourage the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally and globally to achieve the best health for people, animals, plants and the environment. Climate Change and environmental health are key threats to human, plant and animal health and will be addressed.


Most of the recent emerging infectious diseases, including Covid19, have an origin in domestic livestock, or wildlife, and almost all of them have zoonotic potential. For effective reduction of the incidence of zoonotic diseases in humans, control and eradication in the animal reservoirs is important.

Animals share our susceptibility to many infectious diseases and non infectious diseases due to environmental hazards. Because of this, adverse health effects in animals, fish and birds can serve as early warning signs of potential human illness. The canary in the mines used to detect toxic gases is an example of using a bird as a sentinel for an unhealthy environment for humans.

The overall aim is to ensure that the student develops an understanding of the key concepts in One Health: i) epidemiology of key zoonotic agents and the relationship between animal, plant and human health, ii) Food Security, iii) food borne diseases, and iv) environmental hazards. In addition the student should gain an understanding of the use of animals as sentinels of environmental hazards.

One Health issues are regular in the global media and these will be highlighted for students who will be expected to be aware of these issues and can be examined on them. ( An MPH One Health guru would be expected to know more than the public reading the general media!!)

All assessment components must be completed in order to pass the module.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
(1) To identify the major infectious diseases associated with animals and describe their epidemiology
(2) To understand the link between environmental health and animal, plant, human health
(3) To understand and recognise the potential public health threat associated with Climate Change
(4) To understand approaches to addressing a range of typical public health problems associated with
domestic animals and wildlife that can occur
(5) To understand the role of the public heath specialist in a multidisciplinary team addressing One Health issues
(6) To interpret animal health surveillance data and devise control interventions
(7) To understand the essential components of investigations into outbreaks of food or water borne disease
(8) To understand the regulatory environment for food safety globally
(9) To understand the challenges ensuring Global Food Security

Indicative Module Content:

Animal, plant and environmental health issues associated with Public Health

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Tutorial

6

Autonomous Student Learning

100

Total

130


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and interactive classes
One Health in the media
Relevant readings

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): An assignment on a student chosen one health problem. Marks will be given for topic selection, critical analysis of problem, original ideas, readability and policy implications. Week 15 Graded No

50

No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation and learning in class
Group discussions, engagement in class and attendance
Review of assigned readings and One Health mentions in the media
Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No

10

No
Exam (In-person): Two MCQs mid term and at end of term
based on class material, readings and One Health in the Media
20% for each
True or False questions Negative marking will apply
A trial mcc will be conducted
Week 6, Week 12 Graded No

40

No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group feedback will be provided and if individuals require specific feedback that will be accommodated Students will be able to give feedback during the module and content and delivery will be changed if there is consensus

Students will be expected to have a basic knowledge of microbiology to understand communicable diseases

For those students with no experience in microbiology you will get lost unless you pre-read up on the subject. I recommend a few simple basic textbooks which are easy to read such as "Microbiology for Dummies" and if you scan through these you should have not problem and in the past following this advice student with no micro experience achieved A grades.



Name Role
Assoc Professor Mary Codd Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Patricia Fitzpatrick Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Barry John McMahon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Reuel Jalal Tutor
Jwenish Kumawat Tutor