External summary

One Health is an emerging discipline that studies the complex relationships and interactions between animal health, human health and ecosystem health.  The new, re-emerging and recurring global health threats that we are facing require a long-term, more strategic approach to global health preparedness. Underlying the problem is the growing interaction between human and animal populations driven by growth in human population, new trends in animal production practices, changing patterns of wildlife populations, human intrusion on new ecosystems, and trans-border mobility of humans, animals, food and feed products. . 

The distance learning MSc in One Health is a programme of study to enable participants to gain the knowledge and skills to thrive in the employment market across the governmental, non-governmental and private sectors in organisations that have roles in combating One Health challenges. The programme will enable students to advance “One Health” beyond the theoretical to the practical, and bring much-needed attention to the policy and operational issues that ultimately will be key determinants for success. The programme will be developed and delivered by an experienced multidisciplinary team with a proven track record of quality on line delivery. In addition to the support and enthusiasm of the academic community, this proposal carries the endorsement from the two Heads of Schools where the development will be led, namely the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS) with contributions of  second year electives from Global Health Academy on line courses delivered from Biomedical Sciences and Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS).

The main programme aims (learning outcomes) are to enable students to:

• Understand emerging disease dynamics in the 21st century

• Acquire knowledge about One Health and mitigate negative interactions between animal, human and ecosystem health.
• Understand how a One Health approach can be applied in a range of practical situations.

• Apply “One Health” principles to address and manage emerging disease threats
• Learn from success histories of OH surveillance at the animal/human/ecosystem interface
• Identify gaps or challenges in implementing OH surveillance programs at National, Regional and Global level.

• Interpret and communicate scientific results and information in research and other forms of social debate, across other related scientific disciplines and to other stakeholders.

Educational aims of programme

• To enhance knowledge and understanding of One Health from a global perspective in order to enable effective multi-sectoral participation in this complex interdisciplinary field
• To enhance knowledge and skills relating to the emerging diseases of human animals (domestic and wild)
• To assess, assimilate and apply scientific evidence, that may be limited or incomplete, to real-life situations and develop appropriate, timely and adaptable responses and solutions to one health challenges
• To understand the changing patterns of global health governance and its relevance to how global health policy is developed and executed.
• To provide a first-class learning experience, leading to the development of proactive, independent, reflective and life-long learners

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

• In-depth and extensive knowledge, understanding and skills at Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters level within the field of One Health
• A contextual understanding of past and present knowledge and ideas within One Health
• An intellectual curiosity, a willingness to question accepted wisdom and to be open to new ideas within the field of One Health

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

• An ability to appreciate the significance of and participate in the critical analysis of new knowledge and understanding acquired through research and inquiry;
• A capacity for independent, conceptual and creative thinking;
• A capacity for problem identification, and an appreciation of the use of scientific methodology in the collection of evidence, synthesis and dispassionate analysis;

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

• An awareness and appreciation of ethical and moral frameworks, and international social and political issues;
• An awareness of academic integrity;
• An awareness and appreciation of social and cultural diversity;
• An understanding of personal responsibilities, and of the rights of individuals and groups;
• An ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• An ability to produce good work in a timely manner.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

• A capacity for attentive exchange, informed and respectful argument and reasoning;
• An ability to communicate effectively for different purposes and in different contexts;
• An ability to utilise different IT packages for communicating effectively across long distances;
• A diverse set of transferable and generic skills;
• Ability to work across different disciplines and communicate ideas and concepts across disciplinary barriers.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

• An openness to, and an interest in, life-long learning through directed and self-directed study;
• An awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses;
• A capacity for self-reflection, self-discovery and personal development;
• An ability to interact positively with different people from different backgrounds.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

• An ability and openness to the use of computer based technology in learning.
• An awareness of new developments in One Health.
• Development of technical skills in relation to specific project needs at Masters level.

Programme structure and features

SQCF credit points and levels

The programme is delivered at SCQF level 11, and comprises three core foundation courses during the Certificate element, a further two core 10-credit courses during the Diploma element plus four 10 credit courses from a selection offered by existing MSc programmes.  The final Masters year will comprise a written reflective element worth 60 credits.  See schedule in 12.4.

Progression

Completion of the three core 20-credit courses is a pre-requisitefor progression to subsequent elements.  On the successful completion (according to the University of Edinburgh assessment regulations) of 60 credits, students can exit with a certificate in One Health, and on completion of 120 credits they can exit with a Diploma in One Health.

In order to progress to the final level to attain the Masters (written reflective element), students have to:

*      Pass at least 80 credits with a mark of at least 50 % in each of the courses which make up these credits and no mark <40% for any course

*      Attain a minimum average mark of 50% for the 120 credits

Timetable and Course details

The course is delivered part-time by Online Distance Learning (OLDL), over a minimum period of three years and a maximum period of six years. Students may undertake the programme by Intermittent Study (flexible progression route), accruing credits within a maximum time limit of six years for the MSc which will include a maximum period of 12 months from the start of their written reflective element to it being completed. For students wishing to study for the Diploma, the maximum time period of study will be four years and for those undertaking Certificate study only,the maximum time period of study is two years.

In summary, times for completion are as follows:

MSc: 36 -72 months

PGDip: 24-48 months

PGCert: 12-24 months

The programme is modular in structure, offering a flexible student-centred approach to the choice of courses studied; other than the three core courses specified for the certificate, students may choose to study one or more individual courses listed below, to complete a sufficient number of course credits to be awarded the certificate (60 credits), the diploma (120 credits) or the MSc (180 credits).

Each year will consist of three 11-week terms structured into two blocks of five weeks of study with a week in between for independent study and reflection.  One block of five weeks will equate to 10 credits of course material. This framework is designed to fit in with the part-time nature of the course, giving the student time to reflect on their learning and lessening the impact of the additional requirements that studying will place on the students’ working lives. This timetable is consistent with other programmes within the Global Health Academy and optimises the opportunities for multi-disciplinary course sharing between programmes.

Courses for the MSc

Year 1

• Introduction to One Health (20 credits)
• One Health Management and Risk assessment (20 credits)
• One Health Policy and Practice (20 credits)

Year 2

At least one (or more) of the following 20 credit courses:

• Socio Economic Principles for One Health (20 credits)
• Ecosystem Health (20 credits)
• Applied Epidemiology, Surveillance and Observational Studies (20 credits)

Plus a choice from the following 10 credit courses (totalling 60 credits):

• Emerging Infectious Diseases (EMND11006) (10 credits)
• Zoonotic Diseases (INAH 11004)
• Communication, Public Engagement and Conservation (BIME 11026)
• Introduction to GIS and Spatial Analysis (INAH 11017)
• Surveillance and Control of Trans-boundary Diseases affecting International Trade (INAH 11005)
• Wildlife Disease Management (from MSc in Conservation Medicine)
• Ex situ Wildlife Management (BIME 11030)
• Wild Animal Welfare (from MSc in International Animal Welfare)
• Environmental Law (BIME11015) (10 credits)
• Extreme and Fragile Ecosystems (BIME11014) (10 credits)
• Water and sanitation (EMND11021) (10 credits)

*Note that although all courses are offered, we cannot guarantee that places will be available on all elective courses to all students, each year  (it will be at the discretion the Programme directors to assign places on courses and this will depend on demand).

Year 3

The written reflective element is an assignment of 10-15,000 words (60 credits). This may take the form of one of the following:

• A written dissertation (current or historical)
• A casebook (relating to relevant professional experience
• A personal portfolio of reflective and practical activity
• A research project

Students will be required to submit a proposal that demonstrates an appropriate level of critical analysis, academic knowledge and reflection, or one health practice depending on the choice made, prior to being admitted to the Masters year. The University of Edinburgh’s common marking scheme will be applied.

Modes of Study

Interactive teaching methods will be employed by experienced educators and researchers. Emphasis is on problem based learning in addition to the more traditional teaching methods and will include:

• On-line lecture notes
• On-line tutorials
• Specialist on-line external lectures/seminars
• Scientific on-line group discussions
• Case studies
• Problem-based learning scenarios
• Literature based research
• Computer-assisted learning
• Dissertation

Assessments

Assessments are creative and include both critical analysis of scientific works and encouragement of ideas. Assessments include:

• Report writing
• Website design
• Written reviews of literature/critiques of scientific articles
• Continual assessment; problem solving and statistical analyses in scientific methodology
• Coursework including; report writing, poster preparation and web design
• Submission of a dissertation

Students also have access to the on-line courses that are available through the University Transferable Skills programmes.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum and outcome standards:

• Student feedback questionnaires
• Course evaluation and review, presented to Board of Study
• Annual programme review prepared by programme director and considered by programme teaching committee
• External examiner reports
• Staff appraisal
• Staff development
• Mentoring of probationers

Student Support

Induction period for orientation and introduction to study skills

Student handbook

Access to list of courses and their descriptors/learning outcomes

Library induction

Extensive library and other learning resources and facilities

Open personal access to programme tutor for advice on academic and pastoral issues

Student e-mail

Access to Student Welfare Service

The University provides assistance and guidance, e.g. dyslexia, physical disability

Assessment methods and strategies

Assessments are creative and include both critical analysis of scientific works and encouragement of ideas. Assessments include:

• Report writing
• Website design
• Written reviews of literature/critiques of scientific articles
• Continual assessment; problem solving and statistical analyses in scientific methodology
• Coursework including; report writing, poster preparation and web design
• Submission of a dissertation

Students also have access to the on-line courses that are available through the University Transferable Skills programmes.

Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning experience:

• Course evaluation questionnaires.
• Annual programme review, views sought from each year-group.
• Staff-Student Liaison Committee meetings

Career opportunities

Target students are those individuals wishing to find employment in the rapidly growing field of One Health, or that are currently working in this field and wishing to formalise, consolidate and enhance their skills and knowledge to enable promotion, further employment opportunities and greater personal fulfilment.

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