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VET40160

Academic Year 2026/2027

Infectious diseases, biosecurity and parasite control (VET40160)

Subject:
Veterinary Medicine
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Veterinary Medicine
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Mr Eoin Ryan
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Clinical Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Building upon the generic approach to problem-solving delivered in the 'Herd Investigation Skills' module, students will adapt the herd health management cycle to develop an understanding of the investigation, control and monitoring of the major infectious disease themes for the Irish dairy industry based on the Animal Health Ireland initiative (www.animalhealthireland.ie). The primary focus of this module will be on the following infectious diseases which have a biosecurity significance for Irish dairy farms: BVD, IBR, Mycoplasma, Paratuberculosis, Leptopspirosis, Neosporosis and Salmonellosis. In addition, the relevant parasitological problems relating to dairy cows (fasciolosis, stomach and lung worms) will be presented in a herd health context. Students will be introduced to the concepts of diagnostic test accuracy and reliability and epidemiologically justified sample size calculations as well as general biosecurity approaches.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module:
In the context of BVD, IBR, Mycoplasma, Paratuberculosis, Leptospirosis, Neosporosis and Salmonellosis, students will be able to:
1. Prepare an appropriate herd investigation protocol to determine the status of the herd in relation to each of the infectious diseases mentioned
2. Analyse and interpret the findings of this investigation
3. Recommend appropriate control strategies based on the investigation
4. Recommend appropriate monitoring strategies to review progress
5. Prepare a farm-specific biosecurity plan

Students will have developed a thorough knowledge of the parasitological problems affecting dairy cows and the relevant control strategies
Students can apply epidemiological concepts such as diagnostic test sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and adequate sample size calculations to relevant diagnostic tests and infectious diseases.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover the important non-regulatory infectious diseases affecting dairy cows in Ireland, the UK and the majority of countries worldwide. These include:
- Biosecurity, bioexclusion and biocontainment
- Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR)
- Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVD)
- Johne's disease (Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis)
- Leptospirosis due to Leptospira Hardjo
- Salmonellosis due to Salmonella dublin and Salmonella typhimurium primarily
- Mycoplasma bovis
- Neospora caninum
- A review of common parasites affecting dairy cows at grass
- Parasite Control at grass
- Parasite control programmes

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

20
Lectures

16
Conversation Class

6
Online Learning

60
Total

102

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key teaching and learning approaches used in the module include: active/task-based learning; peer and group work using online zoom discussions; lectures; reflective learning; problem-based learning; and case-based learning as part of assessments.

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 Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): This assignment will be based on Infectious Disease Diagnostic Test Interpretation across a number of Dairy Herd-Level Cases provided to you. Week 4 Other Yes
33.3
 Yes
Quizzes/Short Exercises: This is a written assignment based on the Interpretation of a Herd Health Report provided to you, followed by a requirement for targeted recommendations to improve dairy herd health on that farm. Week 8 Other Yes
33.3
 Yes
Quizzes/Short Exercises: MCQ exam covering all units and topics covered in the module. Week 7 Other No
33.4
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback and discussions will be carried out during three Face to Face zoom sessions spread throughout the module. Following the end of the module, post assessments, students will be offered the choice of individual feedback if they so require or choose. Also there will be an end of course face to face group session where all module coordinators can give feedback to students and take feedback from students.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Marijke Beltman Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Theo De Waal Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Finola Leonard Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Conor McAloon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Luke O'Grady Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Salem Djebala Tutor
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