POPLHLTH 763 : Human Vaccinology

Medical and Health Sciences

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Provides an examination of vaccinology as applied to humans and its application in the health sector. Includes consideration of immunology, vaccine form and function and vaccine design; through to vaccine development and manufacture, vaccine safety, immunisation controversies, policy and schedule. A core theme throughout the course will be communication of vaccine science including risk communication to different audiences including health professionals and the community.

Course Requirements

Restriction: POPLPRAC 755

Course Contacts

Academic coordinator: Dr Helen Petousis-Harris
Email: h.petousis-harris@auckland.ac.nz
Tel: DDI: (09) 923 4409

Course administrator
Upendra Wickramarachchi
Tel: DDI: (09) 923 3058
Email: u.wicks@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Master of Health Sciences

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a knowledge of current and potential vaccine preventable diseases including causative organisms, etiology, epidemiology, and implications and indications for vaccination. (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)
  2. Understand and describe the immune system and immunology as it applies to vaccines and vaccination. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 2.2)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the processes of vaccine development and manufacture. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
  4. Practice Science communication including risk communication in todays society (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 40% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 40% Individual Coursework
Assignment 3 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Assignment 3

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 34 hours of lectures and allow an average of 8 hours per week for reading and thinking about the content and work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at lectures. However, lectures will be available as recordings if students are unable to attend all of them or if a lockdown occurs. 
There is no exam
The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery in March and May.

Learning Resources

No required text however the NZ Immunisation Handbook on line will be a useful resource. The Library has access to the Expert Consult Plotkin Vaccines, which is an extremely valuable resource.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 26/01/2021 10:57 a.m.