Master of Veterinary Medicine in Veterinary Public Health

The first purpose of this qualification is to gain knowledge and experience in the field of Veterinary Public Health to a level of competence that leads to registration as a specialist in the field with the South African Veterinary Council. As a specialist in Veterinary Public Health, the incumbent should be able to develop practical qualifications to advise on food safety, occupational hazards and diseases, the control of animal populations, the movement of animals and animal products and the establishment of diagnostic, surveillance, information and risk assessment systems to control area specific zoonoses. Society gains specialists capable of ensuring the security and safety of food of animal origin.

The second purpose is to provide the skills, knowledge, resources and practical experience to teach Veterinary Public Health to undergraduate learners and veterinary nurses and postgraduate honours and master's learners. An attitude of lifelong learning will be fostered, ensuring continued self-development in the discipline.

The third purpose of this qualification is to contribute to the understanding of research methodology and gain practical research experience through the completion of a research project and a dissertation. The knowledge thus gained will contribute to the advancement of the scientific knowledge in the field and assist with advising on the suitability of protocol topics in the field.

The fourth purpose of this qualification is to provide a basis with which to contemplate further doctoral studies in the discipline or any other related discipline.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science Honours, NQF Level 8.

Learning outcomes

1. Apply Veterinary Public Health expertise in the various fields of animal production.
2. Initiate Veterinary Public Health activities in food security and safety.
3. Initiate Veterinary Public Health activities in community environmental health.
4. Apply Veterinary Public Health expertise in community development.
5. Initiate a qualification for Disaster preparedness and relief operations.
6. Understand the social aspects of the Human/animal inter-action.
7. Understand and initiate an ethical approach to Biomedical research.

One

1. Evaluate problems and advise on food safety qualifications.
2. Explain and advise on relevant occupational hazards and diseases.
3. Understand and implement control of animal populations and the movement of animals and animal products.
4. Understand and implement control of area specific zoonoses, applying basic epidemiological principles.

Two

1. Understand and implement systems to control the handling of food of animal origin throughout the entire food chain (conventional).
2. Understand and implement systems to control the handling of food of animal origin in new food industries (vending).
3. Understand and implement systems to control animal by-products processing.

Three

1. Understand and implement qualifications to control zoonoses of environmental origin
2. Evaluate and advise on environmental pollution.
3. Evaluate and advise on the preservation of the urban and rural environment.
4. Expand on the use of sentinel animals to monitor environmental hazards.
5. Develop education qualifications for the safe collection and disposal of animal wastes.
6. Explain the principles of zoo-hygiene and the protection of drinking water sources.

Four

1. Understand the paradigm shifts taking place in the emerging world and how the forces and resources within the socio-environmental complex impact on the transfer of veterinary public health technologies.
2. Obtain relevant data through Health systems research and management, employing relevant scientific disciplines.

Five

Prepare for intervention and explain preventive measures in disease outbreaks and natural and man-made disasters.

Six

1. Understand and advise on the use of companion animals in the treatment of medical conditions (stress) and mental illness.
2. Understand and advise on the use of companion animals in the rehabilitation of criminals.
3. Understand and advise on the use of companion animals in alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation.
4. Understand and advise on the use of companion animals in psychological.
5. Understand and advise on the use of companion animals in the improvement of man-pet relationships.

Seven

1. Advise on the development of improved diagnostic procedures and research on the production of biological products.
2. Advise on ecological and epidemiological research on reservoirs of infection.
3. Understand and advise on comparative medicine and biology.
4. Understand and advise on laboratory animal medicine.

Integrated Assessment

Portfolios.

Work-place assessments.

Written examinations.

Oral examinations.

Other

Practical and clinical assessment.

Computer assisted assessment.

Portfolio

A dissertation acceptable to peer review.

Journal article/s accepted to a peer reviewed scientific journal.

Seminars based on current research, literature or relevant topics.

Formative Assessment

Continual assessment and monitoring of the learner during studies whilst under the supervision of a registered specialist in the field and other senior personnel. Feed back is provided on an on-going basis during contact time.

Summative Assessment

Portfolio work that has been completed and assessed by assessors and moderators.

Written, oral and practical assessment occurs at predetermined intervals and at the end of the study period and covering theoretical knowledge, practical skills and acquired experience.