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Accessibility statement
This module develops your knowledge and understanding of the science underpinning the complex relationships between pathogens and hosts, and how public health approaches can control the spread of disease. A COVID-19 case study brings theory to life, where you’ll hear from a variety of health professionals. You’ll put all your learning into practice with a mystery disease scenario, where you’ll take the lead as a public health investigator.
Topic 1: The challenges of infectious diseases
This topic introduces public health concepts and then examines the broad range of pathogens and the history of how infectious diseases have affected our species.
Topic 2: How are we protected from infectious diseases?
Topic 2 deals with the layered defences that protect us against infectious agents, plus the immune system that combats agents that gain access to our bodies.
Topic 3: Infectious agents
In this topic, you’ll explore various infectious agents, how we detect infections, and different treatment and control options.
Topic 4: Modern public health in the context of infectious diseases
This topic deals with modern public health – surveillance and epidemiology. It includes how mathematical models help us to understand and predict how infections sweep through populations, and the concept of R values.
Topic 5: Public health initiatives to prevent and control infectious diseases
In Topic 5, you’ll look at how public health initiatives can prevent and control infections and help manage outbreaks, examining the different levels of disease prevention. Plus, public health promotion, effective communication and how to spot and deal with public health fake news.
Topic 6: Public health challenges and professional practice
The final topic deals with public health challenges and professional practice.
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need an appropriate knowledge of biology obtained through either of the following:
Are you ready for SK297?
We recommend that you’ve completed:
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying SK297 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Infection, immunity and public health (SK297) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2031.
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