Principles of Disease II (VETS2007)

Course overview

A gross, microscopic & molecular perspective on how hosts respond to disease agents, & the outcomes of the disease process; general pathology & immunology.

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for the study of specific diseases by explaining how the host responds to disease agents, and the outcomes of the disease process in terms of gross, microscopic and molecular alterations in cells and tissues (i.e. general pathology and immunology). An introduction to the general principles of pharmacology and toxicology is also included in the course.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students in this course are assumed to have a sound knowledge of:

• invertebrate animal zoology and basic cell biology (VETS1060, AGRC1021, AGRC1041, ANIM1020 or equivalent courses)ﾠﾠ
• cellular biochemistry, molecular assemblies and metabolic processes (from BIOC1011)
• gross and microscopic anatomy of domestic animals (from VETS1003ﾠand VETS2011)
• the factors that influence disease occurrence and impact (from VETS1018 and VETS2006)
• the basic structure and life cycle of the major groups of parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses that infect animals (from VETS2006)
• the components of the immune system, their functions and interactions (from VETS2006)

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

AGRC1041 or ANIM1020, VETS2006

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ANIM2504

Restrictions

Enrolment is restricted to BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech students only.

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Please check your course Blackboard site frequently for the latest Timetable information.

Please note that unexpected changes to the Timetable may occur throughout the Semester. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly check the course Blackboard site. Any updates to the timetable will be communicated to students via Blackboard Announcements.    

Aims and outcomes

The aim of this course is to prepare students for the study of specific diseases by explaining how the host responds to disease agents, and the outcomes of the disease process in terms of gross, microscopic and molecular alterations in cells and tissues (i.e. general pathology and immunology).

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

In-Semester Exam - Theory

• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

35%

Due date

In-semester Saturday

6/09/2025 - 20/09/2025

Other conditions

Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Students must be available for their examinations on the scheduled date, time, and campus of their course enrolment. The exam format is determined by the Course Coordinator and may include written (paper-based, online, or digital), practical, oral, or other timed assessments (such as quizzes).

If you are unable to sit for your original examination, you may be eligible for a deferred examination. To apply, you must demonstrate that unavoidable circumstances prevented you from attending your exam. If this is not possible, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam. All requests for deferred examinations MUST include supporting documentation. For more information, including acceptable evidence and application instructions, please visit my.UQ Deferring an Exam.

Please note that there are no provisions to defer an already-deferred exam. You must be available to sit your deferred examination at the allocated time.

Students who submit five or more deferral requests within a twelve-month period will be contacted with advice on the services and support available within the University.

Pathology Case Study

• Team or group-based

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique, Quiz, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

15%

Due date

7/10/2025 - 17/10/2025

Learning outcomes

L02, L04, L07, L08

Task description

Submission guidelines

Groups: Students are expected to organise themselves into groups. The Course Coordinator will release instructions (group limits) on Blackboard prior to this assignment opening. Prior to the assignment opening, you will be required to submit your groups to the Course Coordinator.

Assignment Submission: You are required to have a device suitable (e.g. Latop) to complete this assignment which will be open from 7th to 17th October. You can enter the assignment platform as you wish for the duration of this assignment. The assignment will be automatically submitted once the deadline has lapsed.

By submitting this assignment, you will have agreed to uphold the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Students with acceptable reasons (medical or compassionate reasons or as a result of exceptional circumstances) may apply for an extension of the deadline. Information on applying for an extension can be found here: my.UQ Applying for an extension.

Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time.

If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.

For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.

End of Semester Exam - Theory

• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

50%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Students must be available for their examinations on the scheduled date, time, and campus of their course enrolment. The exam format is determined by the Course Coordinator and may include written (paper-based, online, or digital), practical, oral, or other timed assessments (such as quizzes).

If you are unable to sit for your original examination, you may be eligible for a deferred examination. To apply, you must demonstrate that unavoidable circumstances prevented you from attending your exam. If this is not possible, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam. All requests for deferred examinations MUST include supporting documentation. For more information, including acceptable evidence and application instructions, please visit my.UQ Deferring an Exam.

Please note that there are no provisions to defer an already-deferred exam. You must be available to sit your deferred examination at the allocated time.

Students who submit five or more deferral requests within a twelve-month period will be contacted with advice on the services and support available within the University.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

To pass VETS2007

Students must achieve at least 50% for the course overall.

Grade Calculations

When rounding final marks for grade calculations, part marks of <0.5 will be ROUNDED DOWN to the nearest whole number, and part marks of >/= 0.5 will be ROUNDED UP to the nearest whole number. 

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Assessment using the Inspera platform

Students must click the ‘SUBMIT NOW’ button on the summary page to submit their answers. After submission, a confirmation will appear on the dashboard indicating that the answers have been submitted and can no longer be edited.

For all exams lasting 60, 90, 120, or 180 minutes, an additional 10 minutes of planning time is provided to read the questions and plan responses, though students may start working immediately if they choose.

It’s crucial to ensure your laptop meets the device requirements for Inspera assessments before the exam. If you don’t have a suitable laptop, you can borrow one from the Library. Check Get Familiar with Inspera for the most up-to-date information about using the platform. Note that power outlets will not be available during exams.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

Additional learning resources information

Additional resources

The histopathology glass slides have been Aperio-scanned and can be viewed using the ImageScope program. Instructions for ImageScope will be available on Blackboard. It will also be possible to upload the slide files to your laptop (Further instructions will be available on Blackboard and discussed during the histopath prac class). In addition, the scanned slides can be accessible through the BEST Slice platform.

If you can't access eLearn then it is most likely that you are using an outdated web browser. Blackboard recommends that you use: Internet Explorer 8 or later, Firefox 3.6 or later, Chrome. For more information about browser compatibility, see here: Browser not compatible with Learn.UQ - eLearning - University of Queensland.

Other learning resources that may help with the interpretation of the gross and histological pictures:

1) Noah's arkive from the CL Davis and Samuel Wesley Thompson DVM Foundation website (the largest collection of gross and histological images of different pathological lesions in a broad range of species) Noah’s Arkive – The Davis-Thompson Foundation (davisthompsonfoundation.org)

2) Veterinary Systemic Pathology Online - VSPO (collection of histological cases, including scanned slides, of different conditions grouped by system, species or aetiology)

https://www.askjpc.org/vspo/index.php

UQ Student Support and Wellbeing Services

Harmonising study and life commitments and seeking help early when needed is essential for successfully navigating university studies. UQ Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) and UQU Student Advocacy and Support (SAS) offer numerous resources for BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech students, including various mindfulness programs and counselling services to boost confidence and promote overall physical and mental wellbeing.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the UQ Counselling and Crisis Line on 1300 851 998 (available 24/7, 365 days a year).

The Hub

The Student Clinical Skills Hub is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art self-directed learning facility located centrally in the School (John Mahon (8105), Room 101) with two main areas and an online resource community available for all SVS students.

The Hub has a lab where students can practice their clinical skills using standard veterinary equipment, on simulators and/or models in conjunction with supporting audio-visual resources and a smaller communications suite with two working consult rooms, a viewing room and a debriefing space.

The Hub’s aim is to provide a safe, authentic, self-directed learning environment where students can practice their clinical skills in accordance with individual competences beyond the scheduled contact hours of their programs and further enhance their capacity for self-directed, lifelong learning.

If you cannot access the community or have any other questions, please contact the Hub Coordinator via svs-hub@uq.edu.au or ext 15046.

SVS BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech Student Support

The 2025 School of Veterinary Science Student Support Blackboard Site can be found by visiting [SCIE0586] Student Support for BVSc & BVetTech programs 2025 SCIE0586_7520_00101   

This site contains links to valuable resources and information for all BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech students. Here you will find information on topics such as:

• Orientation and new student information
• Mental health and wellbeing
• OH&S
•  Program rules and requirements
• Study planners
• Equity, diversity and inclusion
• Study help and support
• Useful SVS staff contacts: Academic Student Mentors, International Student Mentor, Peers Support Network, SVS Academic Progression and Integrity Officer, SVS Chief Examiner, SVS Director of Students and Admissions, etc.
• SVS Student Information Resource Handbook

The site also offers a way for you to share your valuable feedback directly with the School about your experiences as a student. We welcome and encourage your input, as it helps us continually improve our processes. If you have a formal grievance regarding academic or teaching standards, please refer to the Student Grievance Resolution Policy to understand your options and the steps you can take.  

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Lectures

The lectures provide basic information on all components of the course (pathology, immunology, immunopathology, toxicology and pharmacology). Lecture notes or summaries, sample exam questions, and/or powerpoint notes will be made available prior to the start of each lecture.

Practical classes and tutorials

The practical classes and tutorials reinforce lecture material and in general use a problem-based approach, utilising clinical cases. The lecturers may direct students to additional readings should certain topics require further information or clarification. Students will be expected to have read the relevant course notes before practical sessions and tutorials (case-based scenarios).         

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

• Fitness to Practise Policy
• Vaccinations and Immunisation Procedure