Master of Veterinary Public Health (Emergency Animal Diseases)

Course MC-VPHEAD (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Year and Campus: 2012 - 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

Dr Simon Firestone

Contact

Faculty of Veterinary Science
University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
+61 (0) 3 8344 7357
Email: vet-publichealth@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview:

The Master of Veterinary Public Health (Emergency Animal Diseases) is an online Masters degree for veterinarians, animal scientists and animal health workers to enable them to work effectively in organised responses to emergency animal disease occurrences, in Australia and internationally. 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 infections and the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza in Australia. This program has been developed in direct partnership with CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory and the Victoria State Government’s Department of Primary Industries. The course has been tailored to suit experienced full time animal health professionals, expecting to remain in employment whilst studying part-time. The online method of delivery and broad range of elective topics will provide students with flexibility and allow them to manage their study commitments and educational needs.

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 the resources and requirements of online learning.

Objectives:

This course aims to provide advanced education and training for graduate veterinarians, animal scientists and animal health workers 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), and in relevant approved graduate programs in veterinary public 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:

(VETS50005 and VETS50006 will be offered for the first time in 2013)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2012
12.50

These subjects are taken in the second year of the course:

(VETS50007 and VETS50011 will be offered for the first time in 2013. VETS50008 and VETS50012 will be offered for the first time in 2014).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2012
12.50
Not offered in 2012
12.50

These subjects are taken in the third year of the course:

(VETS50009 and VETS50013 will be offered for the first time in 2014. VETS50010 and VETS50014 will be offered for the first time in 2015).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2012
12.50
Not offered in 2012
12.50
Not offered in 2012
12.50

In the fourth year of the course, students will take the subject below and 25 points of electives:

(VETS50015 will be offered for the first time in 2015)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2012
25
Entry Requirements:

Applicants selected for the course must either have:

  • a degree in Veterinary Science, or an equivalent qualification from a veterinary school listed in the World Health Organization Directory of Veterinary Schools, and at least 2 years of documented relevant work experience in the diagnosis and control of animal diseases,

OR

  • an undergraduate degree in a relevant scientific field (such as agriculture or biology), with a demonstrated appropriate background in Master of Veterinary Public Health (Emergency Animal Diseases) core curriculum areas including veterinary anatomy, physiology, pathology and microbiology, and at least 4 years of documented relevant work experience in the diagnosis and control of animal disease (for example, as a government employed Animal Health Officer).

All students must meet the University of Melbourne's English language requirement and the Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

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, animal scientists and animal health professionals 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 sensitiszed to the opportunities to work at a global level, either within their own national agencies or through one of many agencies or NGOs that are active in international veterinary public health.

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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