Master of Veterinary Public Health (Emergency Animal Diseases)

Course MC-VPHEAD (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Year and Campus:	2011 - Parkville
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level:	Graduate/Postgraduate
Duration & Credit Points:	200 credit points taken over 48 months part time.

Coordinator

Professor Colin Wilks

Contact

Stephanie Morrison-Duff
Research and Graduate Studies Manager
Faculty of Veterinary Science
University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
+61 (0)3 8344 0357
smd@unimelb.edu.au
http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/

Course Overview:	The Master of Veterinary Public Health (Emergency Animal Diseases) is an online Masters degree for veterinarians to enable them to work effectively in organised responses to emergency animal disease occurrences. For the past 25 years the animal health and quarantine services in the Commonwealth and State governments have encouraged continuing education and have provided a number of short courses in “exotic” diseases for graduate veterinarians to promptly detect, control and eradicate newly introduced and other emergency diseases. This course will enhance and formalise this training and educational experience by providing co-ordinated and targeted modules to cover the skills that have been identified from experience in recent emergency diseases situations, such as Hendra virus infection and Equine Influenza. The specific modules comprising this proposal, as well as the choice to offer a predominantly on-line method of delivery, have been developed with the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory and the Victoria Department of Primary Industries. The first module (VETS50003 "Selection and Interpretation of Laboratory Tests") will be taught as a short residential course to cover hands-on experience and to personally introduce students to each other as well as to their future tutors and mentors to ensure that they are familiar with resources and requirements of online learning.
Objectives:	This course aims to provide advanced education and training for graduate veterinarians to prepare them to work within teams of experts at National Disease Control Centres or Local Disease Control Centres in response to emergency animal diseases. The course will increase their knowledge and understanding of the animal diseases of interest and also provide them with knowledge of management and communication skills, project planning and implementation, logistics, epidemiology, and technical reporting.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:	This course is comprised of 12 compulsory modules each of 12.5 points, which must be completed sequentially. A further compulsory module (VETS50015 "Simulation Exercise") will comprise 25 points and can be taken only when the other 12 modules have been completed successfully. The remaining 25 points (to make up the total 200 points for the course) can be taken by completing pre-approved electives, which may be taken in other faculties or schools (such as the Graduate School of Management or the School of Population Health). Students will enrol in this course on a part-time basis.
Majors/ Minors/ Specialisations	There are no majors, minors or specialisations.
Subject Options:	These subjects are taken in the first year of the course: Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: VETS50003 Selection & Interpretation of Lab Tests Semester 1 12.50 VETS50004 Communication in Disease Emergencies Semester 1 12.50 VETS50005 Management in Disease Emergencies Semester 2 12.50 VETS50006 Epidemiology of Epidemics Semester 2 12.50 These subjects are taken in the second year of the course: Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: VETS50007 Emergency Animal Diseases 1 Not offered in 2011 12.50 VETS50011 Structure & Function of Control Centres Not offered in 2011 12.50 VETS50008 Emergency Animal Diseases 2 Not offered in 2011 12.50 VETS50012 Disease Investigation at Farm Level Not offered in 2011 12.50 These subjects are taken in the third year of the course: Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: VETS50009 Emergency Animal Diseases 3 Not offered in 2011 12.50 VETS50013 Outbreak Assessment at Population Level Not offered in 2011 12.50 VETS50010 Emergency Animal Diseases 4 Not offered in 2011 12.50 VETS50014 Outbreak Response Not offered in 2011 12.50 In the fourth year of the course, students will take the subject below (including the submission of a dissertation) in the first semester, and 25 points of electives in the second semester: Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: VETS50014 Outbreak Response Not offered in 2011 12.50
Entry Requirements:	Applicants selected for the course must have a veterinary degree from a recognised tertiary institution and have completed at least 2 years of work experience in the diagnosis and control of animal diseases. A veterinary degree is necessary to ensure that applicants have the required background in the core veterinary curriculum including anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology etc, so that this course can extend their veterinary knowledge in the area of emergency disease response. Two years practical experience post-graduation is considered necessary so that the applicants will have gained experience in attempting to control real disease situations and will be able to benefit from the course. All students must meet the University of Melbourne's English language requirement.
Core Participation Requirements:	It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability will impact on their academic performance are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.
Graduate Attributes:	This course involves subject material across a wide range of disciplines including veterinary science, management, leadership, communication. Participants in the course will be veterinarians who are already in positions that bring them into professional contact with the general public and where they are involved in providing leadership in technical matters. This course specifically addresses issues of leadership development for responding to emergency situations in the community. Emergency diseases are often trans-boundary diseases, which are not confined by national borders and thus require multinational approaches to achieving their control. Working professionally across cultures and social groups is critical both at official levels and also at local levels to ensure community involvement in control programs. It is anticipated that this course will attract veterinarians from around the world, including from developing countries, and cultural diversity will be deliberately used when assigning students to syndicate work projects. This course focuses on dealing with animal health issues that are global issues and which require a global approach. It is expected that graduates will be prepared and sensitized to the opportunities to work at a global level, either within their own national agencies or through one of the many international NGOs.
Generic Skills:	Students in the Master of Veterinary Public Health (Emergency Animal Diseases) should: Possess medium- to high-level computing skills; Apply critical and analytical skills to the identification and resolution of problems; Communicate effectively; and Have good time management skills.
Notes:	Reliable internet access with at least a medium speed connection and a personal computer are essential for undertaking this online program. The content is accessed through your web browser. Microsoft Office™ and Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent software packages are necessary for assessment tasks, assignments and some class exercises.

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