Course Title: Outbreak: The Detection and Control of Infectious Disease

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Outbreak: The Detection and Control of Infectious Disease

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2200

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Internet

Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016

BIOL2200

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022

BIOL2200

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Internet

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2020

BIOL2229

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Internet

Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2015

Course Coordinator: Danilla Grando

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99257135

Course Coordinator Email: danilla.grando@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 223.1.66

Course Coordinator Availability: Please email as first point of contact


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In Outbreak you will learn how humanity responds to outbreaks of infectious disease. You are provided with an opportunity to extend your knowledge of the causes and control of outbreaks. Each year we face the possibility of new and emerging diseases like animal-derived coronaviruses and these create challenges for pandemic preparedness. The course will create simulated outbreaks where you will work in teams online and assume the role of a key person in an outbreak investigation. A workshop will be provided online to sharpen your analytical skills and help bridge any learning difficulties faced with understanding the nature of infectious disease. Weekly lectorials help you explore important concepts in outbreak investigations.
 
The course will enable you to develop technical and scientific communication skills. This does not imply that you need a scientific background, rather that you will be better equipped to carry on a professional career in this technological age. In fact there are many careers that face the challenges of global spread of disease including the challenges to tourism, trade, safe food production and health care delivery. This course is of particular interest if you are studying in programs such as Medical Sciences, Nursing, Journalism, Public Relations, Environmental Science, International and Business Studies. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course develops capabilities in:

  1. Identification of hazards that lead to the outbreaks of infectious disease
  2. Familiarization with organizations that are responsible for the control of infectious disease (Australia and International)
  3. Sourcing relevant and accurate information pertaining to the control of infectious disease
  4. Working cooperatively with members of a team sharing the common goal of disease control
  5. Problem solving and research, including both critical and lateral thinking in the context of the outbreak report
  6. Writing science reports in an engaging and effective way


The following Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) should enable you to:

  1. Source information that guides hazard analysis
  2. Recognise the major organisations charged with responding to outbreaks of infectious disease
  3. Communicate in the language of introductory epidemiology
  4. Write reports in an effective an engaging manner


Overview of Learning Activities

 

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course


Overview of Learning Resources

 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Foundation concepts Assessments
Weighting 30%
These assessment tasks support CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 

Assessment Task 2: Mid Stage Assessment
Weighting 30%
These assessment tasks support CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 

Assessment Task 3: Health Minister Report
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.