Postgraduate taught 

Public Health MPH/PgDip/PgCert

Communicable Diseases MED5011

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Health and Wellbeing
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The course will provide an overview of the threats to public health from contagious and notifiable diseases. From the basics of disease surveillance to modern tools and approaches for disease control and prevention, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles of health protection. By the end of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills needed to respond to the challenges of communicable diseases in our rapidly changing world. 

Timetable

Weekly sessions comprised of lectures and seminars.

Excluded Courses

N/A

Co-requisites

N/A

Assessment

Written assessment (1700 words) [60%; ILOs 1-4]

15 minute group presentation [40%; ILOs 1-4]

Course Aims

This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the threats to public health posed by communicable diseases. Students will learn to evaluate the tools and approaches used to surveil and respond to these threats, gaining a deeper understanding of the strategies used to prevent, control, and manage outbreaks.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

1. Critically evaluate the epidemiological principles that underpin the spread of infectious diseases.

2. Compare and contrast the infectious disease control approaches and tools used historically, currently, and potentially available in the future from appraisal of the published literature.

3. Critically analyse the principles and methods of surveillance at both local and national levels.

4. Critically evaluate the mechanisms for surveillance and prevention associated with a range of infections.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.