Print Syllabus

Syllabus

VM0113 General mechanisms of disease, 32.0 Credits

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Subjects

Veterinary Medicine

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Basic Immunology and Lymphoid organs	4.5	0202
Bacteriology	7.0	0203
Virology	5.5	0204
Parasitology	6.0	0205
Immunology	2.5	0206
Basic Pathology and Histopathology	6.5	0207

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G1F)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 30 credits Veterinary Medicine, of which 15 credits cellbiology and biochemistry, 6 credits histology and 2 credits embryology.

Objectives

The course intends to provide students with a basic understanding of how diseases arise, develop and manifest in animals. The course provides training in veterinary virology, bacteriology, parasitology, immunology including the function and structure of the lymphoid organs as well as general pathology and histopathology.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• provide an account of the structure and function of essential immune system components, as well as describe and identify the composition of the lymphoid organs and tissues at microscopic level (histology) and describe their standard functions;
• provide an account of how bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites are formed, reproduce and spread from the host animal, and evaluate how the climate, animal housing and production forms can affect their spread;
• provide an account of significant pathogenic microorganisms and how they can be grouped based on their relationships;
• provide an account of various interactions between host and microorganisms and describe how microorganisms can cause diseases in animals; explain how immunoreactions** **against microorganisms are initiated and regulated;
• conduct basic microbiological examinations and interpret results from the most common laboratory methods, as well as account for how immunoreactions can be used when diagnosing diseases;
• provide an overall description of the mechanisms of action of antibiotics and anthelmintics that lead to resistance and present how this can be avoided;
• describe the various principles of diagnosing, inspecting and fighting diseases caused by microorganisms;
• provide an account of immunological mechanisms significant to infections, allergic reactions, autoimmune conditions, tumours and transplant rejection, and explain how the immune system can be affected by immunodeficiency, genotype and surrounding factors;
• account for the principles of vaccination and immunoprophylaxis;
• account for the various causes of disease, how animals react to pathogenic factors at cellular, tissue and organism level, and for how tissues are repaired and regenerated;
• define and use common medical pathology terms;
• describe and interpret histopathological changes to tissue specimens and relate them to possible causes and provide a morphological diagnosis.

Content

The course includes lectures, laboratory sessions, preparate studies, case studies and group discussions. There are compulsory laboratory sessions in bacteriology, literature studies in virology and practical histopathology assignments.

The course includes and describes:

• basal terminology in the subject areas;
• the origin and development of diseases;
• general aspects of zoonosis;
• microbiological diagnostics and interpretation of test results;
• basic microbiological examinations;
• basal principles of prophylaxis, inspection and control;
• the structure and life cycles of microorganisms;
• the composition and function of the lymphoid organs;
• the immune system when healthy and diseased;
• how diseases manifest at cellular, tissue and organism level;
• the foundations of histopathology.

Students practise the following general skills: reading scientific articles; analytical ability; oral presentations; collaboration. Interpreting test results, becoming familiar with laboratory work, sterile techniques, report writing and group discussions are also included.

*Sustainability
*The course teaches how diseases are controlled (for example prevention through (immune)prophylaxis) and about the risks of the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Passed written examinations and approved participation in compulsory components.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Transitional provisions

Exams: At least three retake sessions (renewed exams) must be offered within two years of the decision to cancel the course. Compulsory elements: At least one opportunity for a retake session must be offered within two years of the decision to cancel the course.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

The entry requirement of 15 credits in cell biology and biochemistry can be fulfilled upon passing the course VM0110 Basic Medical Biology. The entry requirement of 6 credits in histology can be fulfilled upon passing the histology examinations included in VM0110 Basic Medical Biology and VM0111 Structure and Function of the Body Systems. The entry requirement of 2 credits in embryology can be fulfilled upon passing the examination on embryology on the VM109 course or VM0127 Basic Veterinary Anatomy.

Responsible department

Department of Biomedicin Sciences and Veterinary Public health

Cooperating departments: