Veterinary Population Medicine (VETS4040)

Course overview

Population medicine involves understanding how animal health and disease is managed at a group, rather than an individual animal, level. The course will introduce students to core concepts and develop clinical skills in how populations of animals are managed with respect to diagnostic investigations, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, diagnostic workup, statistical analysis of animal health datasets obtained on a group level, mass therapy, and preventive health programs. Foundational diagnostic, epidemiological and research skills will be applied to clinical case scenarios to develop students competences in problem solving and application of specific medical knowledge. Scenarios will be based on intensive livestock production sectors such as swine and poultry production, aquaculture and other animal populations. The same skills and knowledge will be applied to human populations with respect to managing zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases, as well as protecting the food chain through training in food security and safety, using principles of One Health practice.

This course introduces students to concepts needed for managing populations of animals. This relates mainly to disease management in intensively managed animals, but also herd health practice and application of these concepts to the human population in a veterinary public health context. Specific training topics include: clinical and applied epidemiological approaches and skills; research and evidence based medicine skills; surveillance, diagnosis and outbreak response to diseases; pig medicine and surgery; poultry production and medicine; aquaculture; zoonoses and One Health; food technology and safety assurance; food-borne diseases. Teaching combines lecture delivered knowledge with opportunities to apply this knowledge and technical skills in case-based tutorials and practicals.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students will have successfully completed 3rd year courses, thereby possessing the core knowledge and integrative skills needed for VETS4040.

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

(VETS3010, VETS3011, VETS3012) or (VETS3050, VETS3060, VETS3070)

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

This course introduces students to concepts required for managing populations of animals with respect to disease management in intensively managed animals, but also herd health practice and application of these concepts to the human population in a veterinary public health context. Students will gain specific knoweldge and skills in: clinical epidemiological approaches; research and evidence based medicine; surveillance, diagnosis and outbreak response to diseases; pig medicine and surgery; poultry production and medicine; aquaculture; zoonoses and One Health; food technology and safety assurance; food-borne diseases.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Tutorial Worksheets

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

15%

Due date

This assessment task is to be completed in person and at the time of the associated tutorial or practical session, or NO LONGER THAN 24 HOURS thereafter.

Other conditions

Student specific, Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08

Task description

Submission guidelines

Upload the completed worksheet to the submission portal on the VETS4040 Blackboard site

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Population Medicine Stakeholder Report

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

25%

Due date

24/02/2025 - 26/09/2025

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit your Assessment through the course Turnitin submission point in Blackboard.

Before submitting your assessment item to Turnitin, please name your file in the following way:

For example, SMITH Bob_54329876_VETS1234_Essay1

All students must ensure they receive their Turnitin receipt on submission of any assessments. A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if one or more of your submissions are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty or, after seven days, will receive zero. In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

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.

Semester ONE: In-semester exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

20%

Due date

In-semester Saturday

29/03/2025 - 12/04/2025

Other conditions

Student specific, Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, 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.

Semester ONE: End of Semester Examination

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

15%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Other conditions

Student specific, Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L03, L05, L08

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.

Semester TWO: In-semester exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

10%

Due date

Second In-semester Saturday

6/09/2025 - 20/09/2025

Other conditions

Student specific, Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04

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.

Semester TWO: End of Semester Examination

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

15%

Due date

Second End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Student specific, Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L04

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 VETS4040

• Students must achieve an overall mark of at least 50% (i.e. for the combined assessment tasks).

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.

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

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.  

Recommended Resources

• Hugh-Jones, ME, Hubbert, WT & Hagstad, HV 1995, Zoonoses: recognition, control, and prevention, Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa. 1995.
• Acha, PN & Szyfres, B 2003, Zoonoses and communicable diseases common to man and animals, 3rd edn, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C. Vol. 1 (Bacterioses and Mycoses), Vol 2 (Chlamydioses, Rickettsioses and Viroses) and Vol 3 (Parasitoses).
• Andriessen, EH 2009, Meat safety quality and veterinary public health in Australia, 9th edn, Penny Farthing Publishing, Port Adelaide, SA.
• Hocking, AD (ed.) 2003, Foodborne microorganisms of public health significance, 6th edn, Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology, Waterloo, NSW.
• Hubbert, WT 1996, Food safety and quality assurance: foods of animal origin, 2nd edn, Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa. RA601 .H82 1996. Good overview of all food-related aspects of the course, with a particularly veterinary slant.
• Aviva Petrie, Paul Watson. Statistics for veterinary and animal science. 2013, Wiley-Blackwell, 3rd Ed.
• Michael Thrusfield. Veterinary Epidemiology. Blackwell Science, 3rd Ed. 2007.
• Ian Dohoo, S. Wayne Martin, Henrik Stryhn. Veterinary epidemiologic research. VER, Inc. 2nd Ed. 2009.
• Kenneth J. Rothman, Sander Greenland, Timothy L. Lash, Ovid Technologies, Inc. Modern epidemiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 3rd Ed., 2008.
• Pointon, A, Slade, J, Cargill, C & Fergusson, J 1995, Good health manual for pigs, Pig Research and Development Corporation, Barton, ACT.
• videos streamed online via the library catalogue - https://streaming.library.uq.edu.au/media/player.php?id=UQL_MMUQ2014_Video545
• print manuals for loan - http://search.library.uq.edu.au/61UQ:61UQ_All:61UQ_ALMA21105093640003131
• Available for purchase - http://www.aitex.com.au/aitexpig/edm/mod_ghman.html
• Sims, LD & Glastonbury, JRW (eds) 1996, The pathology of the pig: a diagnostic guide, Pig Research and Development Corporation & Agriculture Victoria, Barton, ACT.
• http://search.library.uq.edu.au/61UQ:61UQ_All:61UQ_ALMA2180878220003131
• Also available for purchase - http://www.aitex.com.au/aitexpig/edm/book_pathpig.html
• Zimmerman, JJ et al. (ed.) 2012, Diseases of swine, 10th edn, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex. 
• Print and eBook available. http://search.library.uq.edu.au/61UQ:61UQ_All:61UQ_ALMA2198101900003131
• Kyriazakis, I & Whittemore, CT (eds) 2006, Whittemore's science and practice of pig production, 3rd edn, Blackwell, Oxford, UK. 
• Print and eBook available.
• http://search.library.uq.edu.au/61UQ:61UQ_All:61UQ_ALMA2197874610003131
• Swayne, DE (ed.) 2013, Diseases of poultry, 13th edn, Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, Iowa.
• Print and eBook available.
• http://search.library.uq.edu.au/61UQ:61UQ_All:61UQ_ALMA21102413070003131
• Brown, L (ed.) 1993, Aquaculture for veterinarians: fish husbandry and medicine, Pergamon Press, Oxford.
• http://search.library.uq.edu.au/61UQ:61UQ_All:61UQ_ALMA2193736020003131
• Roberts, RJ (ed.) 2012, Fish pathology, 4th edn, Wiley Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ.
• Print and eBook available.
• http://search.library.uq.edu.au/61UQ:61UQ_All:61UQ_ALMA21111698870003131
• Noga, EJ 2010, Fish disease: diagnosis and treatment, 2nd edn, Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, Iowa.
• Print and eBook available.
• http://search.library.uq.edu.au/61UQ:61UQ_All:61UQ_ALMA51161372920003131
• Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority - http://www.apvma.gov.au
• Web page of the Australian government authority responsible for the assessment and registration of pesticides and veterinary medicines.
• ProMED–Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases by International Society for Infectious Diseases - http://promedmail.org
• Animal Health Australia (including AusVetPlan and Animal Health Surveillance Quarterly)
• http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au
• National Residue Survey
• http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/food/nrs
• DAWR Biosecurity (formerly AQIS)
• https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/biosecurity
• Communicable Diseases Network Australia (formerly 'Communicable Diseases Control Network', this is Australia's national organisation for communicable disease control)
• http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-cdna-cdna.htm
• Disease Watch: Aquatic Animal Health Awareness 
• http://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/aquatic/disease_watch_aquatic_animal_health_awareness
• Aquatic Animal Diseases Significant to Australia: Identification Field Guide.
• http://www.agriculture.gov.au/animal/aquatic/guidelines-and-resources/aquatic_animal_diseases_significant_to_australia_identification_field_guide
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA). http://www.cdc.gov
• Office International des Epizooties - World Organisation for Animal Health. http://www.oie.int/en

University Learning Resources

Access to required and recommended resources, plus past central exam papers, is available at the UQ Library website (http://www.library.uq.edu.au/lr/VETS4040).

VPH REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR FURTHER DETAIL

• The Australian Veterinarians in Public Health Facebook. Networking site for the AVA VPH SIG. Good contacts, good info, good stories and insights.
• Australasian Student VPH Network: http://vphkids.yolasite.com/. Join up or have a look at what your student colleagues are up to.
• VIN Public Health Associate. http://www.vin.com/Members/Associate/Associate.plx?Book=1&SpeciesID=3. Applied and practical information on zoonoses and a searchable database. If you haven't already registered, students should register as a Veterinary Information Network (VIN) student user at http://www.vin.com/promo/students.htm. (This membership is sponsored by the Royal Canin pet food company.). You must register using your official UQ student email account, because this provides proof that you are a veterinary student. (It may take a day for the access to be approved.)
• Animal Health Australia. http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/. Handy for animal health and zoonotic disease data, updates, background specific to Australia. Quarterly reports are worth looking over for most recent information.
• Hughes, KL & Stevenson, WJ 1988, Synopsis of zoonoses in Australia, 2nd edn, A.G.P.S, Canberra. RC113.5 .S7 1988. Some info specific to Australia, but out of date.
• Defeating the superbugs 2013, SBS1, Broadcast date 5 December. DVD or streamed online
• King, LJ 2004, Emerging zoonoses and pathogens of public health concerns, vol. 23, no. 2, Office International des ￉pizooties, Paris. Available online. Up to date info in downloadable PDF chapters.
• Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 2012, Bad bug book: foodborne pathogenic microorganisms and natural toxins handbook, 2nd edn, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD. Available online. Good detail on food-borne pathogens, their detection and control.
• Doyle, MP & Buchanan, R (eds) 2013, Food microbiology: fundamentals and frontiers, 4th edn, ASM Press, Washington, DC. Print and ebook available. Some details on pathogens; background on general food micro, methods of control.
• Heymann, DL & American Public Health Association 2015, Control of communicable diseases manual, 20th edn, American Public Health Association, Washington, DC. RA643 .A5 2015. Handy field reference guide to disease (zoonotic and otherwise) control guidelines.
• International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods 1988, Microorganisms in foods 4: application of the hazard analysis critical control point. (HACCP) system to ensure microbiological safety and quality, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. QR115.M544 1988

Good general info on HACCP and safety assurance systems theory and practice.

• International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods 2002, Microorganisms in foods 7: microbiological testing in food safety management, Kluwer. Academic Plenum Publishers, New York. QR115 .M547 2002. Theoretical and practical info on HACCP, sampling plans, and control of specific pathogens and in specific products.

Online regulation and data reference sources include:

• Export Control (Meat) Orders 2005: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014C01057
• Australian Standard for Hygienic Meat Production: http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/5553.htm
• Australian Food Safety Centre of Excellence: http://www.foodsafetycentre.com.au/
• Understanding the WTO agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/spsund_e.htm .
• OzFoodNet: http://www.ozfoodnet.gov.au/
• CDC FoodNet: http://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/
• SafeMeat Australia: http://safemeat.com.au/index.html
• Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority: http://apvma.gov.au/
• ProMED–Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases by International Society for Infectious Diseases - http://promedmail.org

Pig Videos

• Exotic diseases of pigs - https://www.library.uq.edu.au/mget.php?id=UQL_MMUQ2013_Video907
• A pig's tale: why swill feeding is bannedﾠ- https://www.library.uq.edu.au/mget.php?id=UQL_MMUQ2014_Video546
• Man vs pig - https://www.library.uq.edu.au/mget.php?id=UQL_ENVM3511_Video1
• The joy of pigs - https://www.library.uq.edu.au/mget.php?id=UQL_MMUQ2014_Video662
• Mixing pigs 1 & 2 - https://www.library.uq.edu.au/mget.php?id=UQL_MMUQ2014_Video264

Skills list: The School of Veterinary Science has developed a list of core technical skills that you will achieve by the time of graduation. You now have the opportunity to self-assess the skills on the list. The link to the ePortoflio for the BVSc Core Technical Skills is available on the Veterinary Skills Hub Blackboard Site.

Learning activities

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

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 - Students Policy and Procedure

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