Entrants for the MSc are required to have a degree in veterinary medicine or agricultural science, biology or a related science discipline. The postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in International Animal Health may appeal to a wider audience, including persons with appropriate experience from working within the animal or human health sectors. All courses are taught in English, therefore applicants are expected to be able to read, write and speak English with a high level of proficiency. Students are required to have access to the internet at least three times a week during term times.
Academic titleMSc International Animal Health
Course descriptionThe Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine was the first entity of its kind in the developed world to be dedicated to research and training in animal health and welfare in developing countries. Building on a 30-year track record in teaching and research, the MSc in International Animal Health has been developed to meet the strong demand for training in pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis and control of infectious animal diseases (including zoonoses).
Our mission is to equip animal-health professionals with the expert skills needed to make a full contribution towards tackling the international animal health challenges of the 21st century. In particular we value the intercultural and cross-boundary opportunities for exchange of ideas and knowledge that this programme will generate.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will learn how to identify, control and manage animal diseases of international importance, based on a solid foundation in the biology, pathology, immunology and epidemiology of pathogens in domestic and wild animal hosts, in the context of currently prevailing socio-economic conditions and institutional frameworks.
How You Will Be Taught
This programme is entirely online, allowing students the flexibility to study when it suits them and to meet their professional and personal commitments while gaining skills and qualifications.
Course structure
We offer the courses within this programme as 10 or 20 credits, delivered over 5 or 10 weeks respectively, see below. In order to accommodate this course structure we would like to offer the programme over an academic year consisting of three blocks of 11 weeks. Each block would contain either a single 20 credit course or two 10 credit courses, with a “breather week” in between for independent study and reflection.
The time table for 2008 is shown below.
Year 1: Courses for the Certificate
Applied epidemiology, surveillance and risk assessment
Host responses to infection
Pathogen strategies for transmission and survival
Year 2: Courses for the Diploma
Surveillance and control of transboundary diseases affecting international trade
Zoonotic disease
Selection of four from the following eleven 10 credit courses -
New developments in epidemiology and the control of vector borne disease Environmental and nutritional diseases of livestock of international importance Control of economically important parasites Veterinary vaccinology Wildlife animal health and environment Technology advances in veterinary diagnostics Risk management through use of applied veterinary epidemiology Project planning and decision support for animal disease control Animal healthcare systems in the post-privatisation era
New for 2008/9 Introduction to GIS and spatial data analysis Advanced GIS and spatial epidemiology and modelling Introduction to health and production of aquatic species
Year 3: Completion of the MSc programme in International Animal Health