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.