Infectious disease
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| Examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
Infectious disease affects all our lives to varying degrees, often making front-page news: ‘New resistant strain of TB’, ‘Will bird flu cross over to humans?’, ‘Hospital infections reach epidemic proportions’, etc. This course approaches infectious disease from several perspectives – exploring the underlying biology, epidemiology, ecology, and evolution of pathogens in relation to the extraordinary immune defences of their human hosts. You will learn how to study changes in the incidence of diseases, and investigate strategies for combating disease through detailed case studies. You’ll also have the chance to study a disease or disease-related topic in detail.
Course content
Why have diseases such as AIDS spread so rapidly through large areas of the world? Why are some populations so badly affected? How have diseases such as smallpox and polio been controlled? What are the reasons for the emergence of new infectious diseases?
Infectious disease is an exciting course that shows how the causes and control of diseases can be understood only by reference to a range of biological information in the appropriate social context. It aims to:
- present a multidisciplinary approach to the study of infectious disease
- illustrate this approach through case studies of a range of infectious diseases
- develop appropriate skills in reading and abstracting the literature and communicating the course themes coherently and from a multidisciplinary perspective.
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- demonstrate a broad understanding of the range of infectious diseases and their causative agents
- describe biological interactions between hosts and pathogens during an infection, and their evolution over time
- give examples of the influence of social organisation, culture and economic development on the distribution of infectious disease
- demonstrate the ability to interpret basic epidemiological data on infectious disease outbreaks
- discuss strategies to prevent or reduce the impact of infectious diseases, commenting on their strengths and limitations
- use a variety of methods, including electronic search tools, to access both primary and secondary scientific literature and abstract relevant information for a stated purpose
- research and produce an extended piece of written work summarising historical and contemporary aspects of a chosen infectious disease (or diseases) including issues of treatment and control.
Associated residential school course
The 15-point residential school courses Fat - the physiology of adipose tissue (SXR374) and Molecular basis of human disease (SXR376) offer tuition and activities that support the academic aims of this course, and it would be particularly appropriate to take one of those and S320 in the same year. If you decide to attend the residential school, you must register for it separately, for which an additional fee is payable.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU. It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For S320? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you need a little extra preparation. This can be viewed or printed from the Are you ready for science? website. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
S320 a compulsory course in our:
S320 is an optional course in our:
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BSc (Honours) Life Sciences (B28)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Health Studies (B17)
- Diploma in Natural Sciences (D47)
- Diploma in Life Sciences (E05)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of the course material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific materials or foreign language material may be particularly difficult to read in this way. The printed course materials are available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format or in comb-bound format. The course also includes use of a website and online activities. If you use specialist software or hardware to assist you in operating a personal computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, DVD, CD-ROMs, website.
You will need
A television and DVD player, or computer that can play DVDs.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Materials to buy
An order form for two CD-ROMs will be available on the course website, or from Open University WorldWide Tel. 01908 858785
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Electronic communication will be used, and we may be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depends on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with the Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
Substitution does not apply to any of the assignments in S320.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2010.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care and Science.
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Student Reviews
Really enjoyed this course. This would make a great first Level 3 module, as a kind of warm up for ...
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Looking back on this course, I found it fairly gentle - for a 3rd Level course. It obviously requires more ...
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