Postgraduate Certificate in Avian Health

Avian Health Online is an interactive web based learning environment designed by the University of Melbourne for veterinarians to further their understanding in poultry health and management and enable them to better function in today's global poultry industry.

Currently, two postgraduate courses are offered on Avian Health Online; a Postgraduate Certificate in Avian Health and a Master of Avian Health and Medicine. Both are offered on a part-time basis to allow students to study while still continuing to work. Both courses will be suitable for veterinarians currently working in the poultry industry, and for those who are seeking to enter the industry and want to develop a sound foundation of professional competencies. For those without prior industry experience, the University of Melbourne will assist you in developing a mentorship program with an experienced poultry veterinarian close to you. This will build up your practical poultry experience and hands-on skills. The course coordinator will discuss with you how to set up the mentorship program before the commencement of your studies so that the arrangement is in place while you are studying your first Unit: Poultry Industry Fieldwork.

The Postgraduate Certificate Course has been designed to give students a solid grounding in those aspects of poultry husbandry and management which are most relevant to avian health as well as the ability to use poultry pathology as part of the systematic approach to disease or management problem investigations. The PGC will be awarded to the student after he/she has successfully completed these two subjects: Poultry Industry Fieldwork and Poultry Pathology and Diagnosis of Disease.

• develop increased breadth and depth of knowledge in poultry production- health interactions and in avian pathology;
• attain an advanced level of skills in the recognition and diagnosis of infectious and non-infectious diseases of poultry using poultry pathology;
• apply developed professional competencies in poultry pathology to achieving enhanced health and productivity within the poultry industries, and
• be considered for progression to undertake the Master of Veterinary Studies (Avian Health).

The Postgraduate Certificate in Avian Health requires the completion of two subjects; 250-500 Poultry Industry Field Work and 250-501 Poultry Pathology and Diagnosis of Disease. Each individual unit focuses on topics relevant to the modern poultry veterinarian. Each unit runs for 16 weeks and will run twice yearly (March to June, and September to December). The units will initially be launched one at a time in six monthly intervals. Students studying the Postgraduate Certificate will be required to work through Units 1 & 2. Each Unit has the basic structure of 1 preparatory week, 14 lecture weeks and an examination week, much like a typical face to face university subject. Students will be expected to be able to set aside approximately 15 hours per week for personal study/reading, assignments and participation in online activities.

• A five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree, or an equivalent qualification from a Veterinary School listed in the World Health Organisation Directory of Veterinary Schools, and
• Professional veterinary practice: at least one year of documented veterinary experience in the poultry industry OR at least two years of documented veterinary experience with small or large animals, or other category of professional practice in veterinary disciplines.

The Master of Avian Health and Medicine is a continuation of studies, building on what has already been learnt in the Postgraduate Certificate.

Students' awareness of the economic, environmental, political, social and welfare factors behind the major poultry health, poultry production, public health, animal welfare and international trade issues will be extended through these courses, as will their ability to understand how these issues affect their own work environment.