The aim of this course is to provide participants with knowledge and comprehension of systems of food animal management, production, marketing and tracing, including recognition and control of diseases of major relevance to food security and veterinary public health.

This course consists of a taught block of one week, which includes lectures, tutorials and site visits covering aspects of food production, food safety and veterinary medicine. In addition, there is private study time for assignments.

VETMED5006 Global Veterinary Medicine

This course will be assessed on the basis of two structured assignments given to the students during the taught course and completed independently within a month of the taught module.

The specific aims of the course are:

■ to provide participants with knowledge and comprehension of veterinary public health and food security issues arising from human-animal interaction.

■ to provide participants with knowledge and comprehension of systems of food animal management, production, marketing and tracing, including recognition and control of diseases of relevance to food security or veterinary public health.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the potential public health risks and benefits of the various levels of human-animal interaction.

2. Summarise modern farming systems for production animal species and discuss their importance to veterinary public health and food security (including legislation).

3. Critically discuss the methods of identification and tracing of food animals and illustrate their use in the national and international trade and movement of animals and animal products.

4. Critically evaluate the aetiology, epidemiology and presentation of common animals diseases and infections of major veterinary public health relevance.

5. Critically review strategies for managing disease and infection in animals for the purposes of animal and human health.

6. Discuss the principles of farm assurance schemes and the importance of certification, quality assurance and legislation relating to the use of veterinary medicines in food animals.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.