Master in Veterinary Epidemiology
Master in Veterinary Epidemiology

Through the UPLB Graduate School, CVM also offers the Master  in  Veterinary Epidemiology (MVetEpi) program is designed  to prepare  veterinarians  and other  animal  health  professionals  to  design  and  implement  epidemiological   studies  and  surveillance system;  apply  epidemiological principles  and  methods   to risk   analysis,   surveillance, prevention and control of  diseases in  animal populations;        evaluate  the  risks and        relevant    factors  pertaining   to specific diseases and to formulate  an appropriate prevention or control strategy or a research study; manage, analyze and interpret animal health data; and communicate effectively the results of an assessment, surveillance or investigation to appropriate groups involved in animal or human health, key policy makers, farmers, the media and the public.

Sound animal health care decision making and prevention  and  control  of zoonoses,  animal  diseases and food borne diseases have to be based on adequate information about animal health status, risks involved and the proper analysis and interpretation of animal health data. The program is designed to have a pool of field epidemiologists who are sufficiently knowledgeable,  skilled,  competent, confident and able to perform essential surveillance, risk analysis and disease prevention and control activities in populations, including animal health investigation and research.

In the program, students will have ample opportunities to work on animal health events of current importance to their workplace or practice areas, even while studying. The Field Project in Veterinary Epidemiology will further strengthen the capacity of the students in solving animal health problems and in conducting animal health researches since the project  can  be  part  of  the regular veterinary service or practice activities, thus serve ongoing animal health needs.

At the end of the program, graduates will be able to design and implement epidemiological  studies  and surveillance  system; apply epidemiological principles and methods to risk analysis, surveillance, prevention and control of diseases in animal populations; evaluate the risks and relevant factors pertaining to specific diseases and to formulate an appropriate prevention or control strategy or a research study; manage, analyze and interpret animal health data; and communicate effectively the results of an assessment, surveillance or investigation to appropriate groups involved in animal or human health, key policy makers, farmers, the media and the public.

The MVetEpi requires all students to earn a total of 30 units for graduation. At least 18 units of major courses, three (3) units of Special Topics, six (6) units of Field Project, and  three  (3)  units of elective  must  be  earned. Students  begin the program with six (6) units of required courses in summer. The Field project may be in the form of a research study, a case study, risk  analysis  study,  a  program evaluation or a scientific epidemiological report on animal disease and will be presented and defended orally before a panel. Students shall submit a paper in publishable form as a requirement for graduation.

The   admission   requirements of   the   Graduate   School shall be followed. In addition, applicants shall be holders of DVM  or related  degree   in  life   sciences   from   any  recognized institution and with at least one year experience in veterinary or related practice.

COURSES AND DESCRIPTIONS

Major (Required) Courses: Minimum of 18 units

VEPI 221       
VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGICAL METHODS (3 units). Application of epidemiological concepts and methods for systematic inquiry into disease status of animal populations

VEPI 222       
VETERINARY    SURVEILLANCE    (3   units). Epidemiologic concepts and methods for surveillance of animal and zoonotic diseases 

VEPI 223    
EPIDEMIOLOGIC   APPROACH   IN   THE CONTROL OF  INFECTIOUS   ANIMAL   DISEASES   (3 units). Application of epidemiology in the control of infectious diseases in animals

VEPI 224       
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION AND CONTROL (3 units). Epidemiologic approach to the investigation and containment of disease outbreaks 

VEPI 225       
VETERINARY    RISK    ANALYSIS   (3 units). Introduction to animal health risk analysis. 

STAT 264      
STATISTICS   FOR   EPIDEMIOLOGY   (3  units).     statistical methods   in   the   collection,    organization,  and analysis of epidemiologic data and subsequent interpretation

VEPI 291       
SPECIAL TOPICS IN VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGY (3 units) 

VEPI 295       
FIELD PROJECT IN VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGY (6 units). Research project in veterinary epidemiology

EPIDEMIOLOGY 
VEPI 226       
VETERINARY   INFORMATICS   (3   units).
   Application   of    informatics in veterinary epidemiology

VEPI 227       
ENVIRONMENTAL ANIMAL HEALTH (3 units). Factors that may   have   adverse   effects on the health of animal and human populations and the wider environment, and their management

VEPI 228     
VETERINARY   DIAGNOSTICS   (3 units). Evaluation of veterinary diagnostic tests in populations

VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH
VPH 222       
MICROBIAL AND PARASITIC ZOONOSES (3 units). Biological, ecological, and epidemiological features of microbial and parasitic   infections   transmissible   between    man  and vertebrate animals

POLICY DEVELOPMENT
DM 220
PUBLIC POLICY AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION FOR DEVELOPMENT (3 units). Policy formulation, analysis and implementation;   program   administration and project management for development 

SPPS 202       
METHODS OF POLICY ANALYSIS (3 units)

LOCAL GOVERNANCE 
LGD 210  
      GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT (3 units). Concepts,   models,  principles, tools, indicators, practices, issues, trends and prospects in governance and development

DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION
DEVC 261
TESTING AND EVALUATION OF COMMUNICATION MATERIALS (3 units). Methods of testing and evaluating print, broadcast and audiovisual communication materials; audience studies

DEVC 201   
COMMUNICATION   THEORY   (3 units).   The   significance, nature, elements and dynamics of the communication process; some theories and perspectives in the study of communication

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
AECO 111
FARM MANAGEMENT (3 units). Principles and analytical tools in the organization of the farm

AECO 241     
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND PLANNING OF AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS (3 units). Economic analysis of agricultural projects   from   national   and   individual   viewpoints;  identification of projects; preparation and evaluation of project plans