Print Syllabus

Syllabus

VM0090 Veterinary public health with applied epidemiology and epizootiology, 7.0 Credits

Veterinär folkhälsovetenskap med tillämpad epidemiologi och epizootologi

Subjects

Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medicine

Education cycle

Master’s level

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1F)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

Passed courses of the 1st through 3rd year of the Veterinary Medicine Programme, passed course "Introduction to clinical studies", and at least 20 additional credits of advanced courses within the Veterinary Medicine Programme.

Objectives

The course gives a basis for the understanding of the contributions of veterinary science to the physical and social well-being of humans, and for preventing and controlling infectious diseases between animals and between animals and people.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• explain the role of veterinary medicine and veterinary profession in public health,

• apply knowledge in veterinary medicine on public health issues,

• identify and explain animal-related public health risks,

• explain the basics of Swedish contingency plans for epizootic diseases,

• describe in detail the most important diseases covered by the legislation on epizootic diseases and zoonoses, and identify aspects that are important for their detection, control and eradication,

• apply the legislation on epizootic diseases and in various veterinary capacities act upon suspicion of a serious contagious animal disease,

• explain strategies for prevention, control and eradication of the diseases covered by the legislation on epizootic diseases and zoonoses,

• apply epidemiological methods to issues and problems concerning animal and public health.

Content

The course includes the subject areas veterinary public health, applied epidemiology and applied epizootiology. Veterinary public health comprises the role of veterinary medicine for public health i.e. application and knowledge development of veterinary science areas of responsibility from a people health perspective regarding for example zoonoses, antibiotics resistance, food security, environmental effects on health, crisis management and the social effects of animal husbandry. Applied epidemiology covers principles and design of population based studies and investigations, for example outbreak investigations, disease surveillance, epidemiology of infectious disease and reliability of diagnostic tests.

Applied epizootiology comprises national and international disease control work with a focus on handling suspected cases of epizootic and zoonotic diseases based on the legislation of epizootic and zoonotic diseases and their characteristics, epizootic preparedness and strategies for fighting outbreaks of epizootic diseases in Sweden and EU and the importance of infectious diseases in the global exchange of food, animals and animal products.

Apart from lectures the student works in groups (discussions, role play etc) and carries out project work which is completed by joint group presentations.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Participation in compulsory parts, passed presentation of exercises and project work and passed written examinations.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
• For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Transitional provisions

• Exams: At least three retake sessions (renewed exams) must be offered within two years of the decision to cancel the course. • Compulsory elements: At least one opportunity for a retake session must be offered within two years of the decision to cancel the course.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

The Veterinary Medicine Programme applies a predefined study path, and the students are obliged to take the courses in the order given by the programme syllabus.