This course addresses societal aspects of antimicrobial resistance, including aspects of animal welfare, ethics, and law. Both national (UK) and international (e.g. WHO) examples of regulation and legislation will be considered to illustrate the wide range of attitudes and approaches to AMR globally.

Teaching will be delivered by a mix of lectures and tutorials during semester 2.

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1. 75% of the overall grade will be based on an essay (2000 words; ILO 1, 2 and 3)

2. 25% of the overall grade will be based on performance during a debate or other form of oral presentation (ILO 2, 3 and 4). Students will receive an individual grade based on both group and individual performance.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Reassessment will not be available for the debate.

The overall aim of this course is to make students aware of societal aspects surrounding AMR and of some of the tensions that may exist between public and/or private interests regarding the use of antimicrobials. Specifically, this course aims to:

■ Explore the ethical aspects of antimicrobial use in animals.

■ Familiarise students with regulations and legislation around antimicrobial use in people and animals at national and international levels.

■ Introduce students to conflicting interests and demands in society that influence antimicrobial use and antimicrobial restrictions.

■ Enhance students' conceptual, analytical and intellectual skills.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Understand and debate the scientific basis and global health contexts of a specific aspect of the epidemiology of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, using information obtained from critical appraisal of scientific literature.

2. Evaluate and compare evidence and drivers underpinning policy documentation, regulations and legislation regarding antimicrobial use at national and/or international levels.

3. Critically appraise the roles of evidenced based scientific data and advocacy-based information as they pertain to underpinning policy and/or legislation writing.

4. Plan and formulate arguments for defending and/or rebuffing a particular stance involving the epidemiology of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.