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BIOL3130 – Ecology and Evolution of Emerging Infectious Diseases

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-infrequent, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Michelle Power
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 2000 level including BIOL2110 or BIOL2410 or BIOL2220 or BIOL2310 or BMOL2401
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
BIOX3130
Unit description Unit description

This unit will cover the fundamentals of emergence of disease in the context of global change. Beginning with an overview of the biology and ecology of different pathogens and progressing to their epidemiology, rapid evolution, and application of modern diagnostics for their detection, diagnosis and source tracking. Past and present epidemics and case studies will be used to investigate host-switching, evolution, adaptation, virulence and transmission theory. Approaches to investigating and managing emerging Infectious disease such as One Health and Planetary Health will also be explored in this unit.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Identify emerging infectious diseases of significance to Australia, our region and the world.
  • ULO2: Define the principles of emergence and the re-emergence of infectious diseases within the One Health framework.
  • ULO4: Apply molecular laboratory skills to detect pathogens in populations and track origins of infection.
  • ULO3: Explain disease transmission theory including pathogen dynamics, host response, pathogen spread within a single species and between species, and zoonoses.
  • ULO5: Analyse and interpret disease notification data.
  • ULO6: Evaluate the authenticity of emerging infectious disease information in the public domain.

General Assessment Information

Unit completion

To pass this unit students need to:

  • Achieve an overall minimum grade of 50%
  • Make a serious attempt at all assessments
  • It is highly advised that students attend the face to face block practical class in the mid-session break which is assessed in the 'Outbreak Investigations' assessment

Assessment submission 

Assessments must be submitted via iLearn by 11:55 pm on their due date. 

Late Assessment Submission Penalty 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted 

  • Emerging infectious diseases in the media - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
  • Outbreak investigations - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
  • Conversation style article - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Emerging Infections in the Media (Print, Film/TV or radio) 30% No September 3, 2023
Outbreak investigations 40% No October 15, 2023
Conversation style article 30% No October 29, 2023

Emerging Infections in the Media (Print, Film/TV or radio)

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: September 3, 2023
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will deliver a presentation addressing emerging infectious disease portrayal in the media (Print, Film/TV or radio) and apply their scientific knowledge to disentangle incorrect scientific information covered in selected media and identify correct information.

 

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify emerging infectious diseases of significance to Australia, our region and the world.
  • Explain disease transmission theory including pathogen dynamics, host response, pathogen spread within a single species and between species, and zoonoses.
  • Evaluate the authenticity of emerging infectious disease information in the public domain.

Outbreak investigations

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: October 15, 2023
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will prepare a case study report based on data collected in block practical class.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain disease transmission theory including pathogen dynamics, host response, pathogen spread within a single species and between species, and zoonoses.
  • Apply molecular laboratory skills to detect pathogens in populations and track origins of infection.
  • Analyse and interpret disease notification data.

Conversation style article

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: October 29, 2023
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will write an article in the style of The Conversation, based on one of a list of provided peer-reviewed papers on Emerging Infectious Disease.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify emerging infectious diseases of significance to Australia, our region and the world.
  • Define the principles of emergence and the re-emergence of infectious diseases within the One Health framework.
  • Explain disease transmission theory including pathogen dynamics, host response, pathogen spread within a single species and between species, and zoonoses.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Methods of Communication

  • We will communicate with you via your university email and through announcements on iLearn. 
  • Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board - this is preferable for queries that directly relate to unit content, unit activities, or assessments. Queries can also be sent via email to the unit email biol3130@mq.edu.au. 
  • Email unit convenors directly for more serious matters of an individual nature and that do not directly relate to unit content, unit activities, or assessments. 

LEARNING AND TEACHING MODEL

This unit is delivered in a flipped classroom mode where students are required to do pre-class tasks which outlined in iLearn for each week. Completing these tasks before weekly SGTAs will ensure that you get the best from the unit.

Online seminar (beginning week 1)

Knowledge of emerging infectious diseases are gained through students listening to the Patient Zero podcasts and other pre-recorded material from experts in the field. The seminar sessions will then extend concepts in the pre-lecture activities and provide an opportunity for a Q & A session. Guest speakers represent the best in their fields and are giving their time freely. So please do your best to attend the Q&A sessions with a guest or panel.

Small group teaching activities (refer to timetable for block scheduling for Infrequent mode and BIOX3130)

The weekly 2-hour SGTAs will be delivered in block mode for infrequent mode and BIOX3130. In these classes students consolidate material from pre-recorded learnings and seminars through small group activities and problem-based learning. 

Practicals – (refer to timetable for block scheduling)

Attending the block practical session in the mid-session break allows students to meet ULO4 which is assessed in Outbreak Investigations. The practical session provides learnings and data essential to the case study assessment. A role will be taken to record attendance and to identify your participation in these classes.

Dress for laboratory sessions

  • You must wear sturdy shoes that cover your feet.
  • You must wear a lab coat in every practical to protect your clothes
  • You MUST bring your own lab coat to every class. We will no longer provide disposable lab coats as these are not environmentally friendly. 
  • Although the material that we will use has been rendered non-infectious good laboratory practice of wearing protective clothing when working with organisms that potentially cause disease is required. ALWAYS wash hands before leaving laboratory.
  • PLEASE NOTE
    • NO COAT = NO CLASS 
    • Inappropriate shoes = no laboratory access

Students will continue to sanitise surfaces before and after use. Students are requested to minimise the risk of spreading COVID to themselves and others in accordance with the university and NSW Health guidelines: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs and https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe

RESOURCES

There is no required text book for BIOL3130 Emerging Infectious Disease Ecology. We will provide references to many research papers that will assist with unit themes. 

COVID Information

Students will continue to sanitise surfaces before and after use. Students are requested to minimise the risk of spreading COVID to themselves and others For the latest information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please refer to the Coronavirus infection page on the Macquarie website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

We value student feedback to be able to continually improve the way we offer our units. As such we encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to the teaching staff directly, or via the FSE Student Experience & Feedback link in the iLearn page. 

BIOL3130 was delivered for the first time in 2022 and students rated the unit very highly. As part of unit development and a more authentic approach to the subject matter we have removed the exam this year and distruted marks across three assessments. 


Unit information based on version 2023.04 of the Handbook