THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2025/2026
Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change

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Degree Programme Specification
Masters in Conservation Medicine (Online Distance Learning) (Part-Time Intermittent)
 

Masters in Conservation Medicine (Online Distance Learning) (Part-Time Intermittent)
To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. This information is created when new programmes are established and is only updated periodically as programmes are formally reviewed. It is therefore only accurate on the date of last revision.
Awarding institution: The University of Edinburgh
Teaching institution: R(D)SVS
Programme accredited by: The University of Edinburgh
Final award: Masters MVetSci
Programme title: MVet Sci in Conservation Medicine
UCAS code:
Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s): QAA Veterinary Science
Postholder with overall responsibility for QA: Anna Meredith
Date of production/revision: June 2012
Further Information: View the prospectus entry for this programme

External summary

Conservation Medicine is an emerging discipline that studies the complex relationships and interactions between animal health, human health and ecosystem health. There is increasing global concern over increasing anthropogenic impacts on ecological health, leading to loss of biodiversity and modification of ecological processes, increasing global toxification, pathogen pollution, and global climate change. The emergence or re-emergence of infectious disease as a result of these anthropogenic changes has major impacts on human and animal health and on conservation of animal species. Thus Conservation Medicine shares a similar philosophy to the EcoHealth, One Health and Global Health concepts, but is also closely allied with the values of conservation biology and the management of endangered populations. It is interdisciplinary, requiring input from veterinary and human medicine, ecology, biology, epidemiology, public health and social and political science.

R(D)SVS is the only UK veterinary school to have a specialist Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service, which has an international reputation for providing veterinary education  in the field of wild animal medicine. In response to the increasing recognition of a need for trained veterinarians in this field, this new distance learning course is aimed specifically at veterinarians, to provide them with the skills and knowledge required to be effective practitioners of conservation medicine, and to enable them to assist in the development of solutions to ecological health issues.

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

  • Acquire knowledge about conservation medicine and the interactions between animal, human and ecosystem health.
  • Acquire specific veterinary skills applicable to conservation medicine.
  • Understand how a conservation medicine approach can be applied in a range of practical situations.
  • Be able to 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 conservation medicines from a global perspective in order to enable effective veterinary participation in this complex interdisciplinary field
  • To enhance knowledge and skills relating to the diseases of wild animals and veterinary aspects of the conservation of endangered species
  • 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 conservation medicine challenges
  • 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 Conservation Medicine
  • A contextual understanding of past and present knowledge and ideas within Conservation Medicine
  • An intellectual curiosity, a willingness to question accepted wisdom and to be open to new ideas within the field of Conservation Medicine.

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.

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 conservation medicine.
  • 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.

Progression

 

Completion of the three core courses is a pre-requisite for progression to subsequent elements. On the successful completion ( as per the University of Edinburgh assessment regulations) ) of 60 credits, students can depart with a certificate in Conservation Medicine, and on completion of 120 credits they can depart with a Diploma in Conservation Medicine.

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

A summary of all PGT Assessment Regulations will be adhered to - please see link http://www.docs.sasg.ed.ac.uk/AcademicServices/Regulations/TaughtAssessmentRegulations.PDF

  

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 for this is 4 years and for those undertaking  the Certificate only, the maximum time period for this is 2 years.

 

In summary, times for completion are as follows:

MVetSci: 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 2 blocks of 5 weeks of study with a week in between for independent study and reflection.  One block of 5 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.

 

Year 1: Courses for the Certificate – 60 credits

  • Introduction to Conservation Medicine VESC11023 (20 credits – core)

  • Eco-system health and species conservation VESC11019 (20 credits – core)

  • Applied epidemiology, surveillance and risk assessment (20 credits – core)    

( INAH 11003)
 

Year 2: Courses for the Diploma

Two core modules (20 credits):

 

  • Veterinary techniques and interventions for conservation medicine (core) VESC11022

  • Wildlife disease management (core) VESC11020

Plus four modules from the following 10 credit modules (totalling 40 credits) :

  • An introduction to project cycle management (BIME 11035)

  • Ex situ wildlife management (BIME 11030)

  • Communication, public engagement and conservation (BIME 11026)

  • Conservation Genetics (BIME 11025)

  • Introduction to GIS and spatial analysis (INAH 11017)

  • Invasive non-native species (BIME 11012)

  • Surveillance and control of transboundary diseases affecting International trade (INAH 11005)

  • Technology advances in veterinary diagnostics(INAH 11009)

  • The use of artificial reproduction technology (ARTs) in threatened species

(BIME 11037)
 

  • The modern zoo (BIME 11019)

  • Wild animal welfare (1/2 of AWAB11021)

  • Wildlife crime and forensic investigation (BIME 11017)

  • Zoonotic diseases (INAH 11004)

Year 3: Completion of the MVetSci programme in Conservation Medicine

 

  • Written reflective element (10-15,000 words)( 60 credits)VESC11021

This will 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 short research project

Students will be expected to submit a proposal which demonstrates an appropriate level of critical analysis, academic knowledge and reflection, or veterinary practice depending on the choice made, prior to being admitted to the Masters year.

Irrespective of which option is chosen the written reflective element is an assignment of 10-15,000 words. The University of Edinburgh’s common marking scheme will be used.

Please note that although all courses are offered, we cannot guarantee that all courses will be available to all students, each year.

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

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

Committees responsible for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards:

    • Senatus Quality Assurance Committee
    • College PGT Learning and Teaching Committee
    • School Postgraduate Studies Committee
    • College Quality Assurance Executive
    • College PG Taught Committee
    • Teaching Programme Review Teams
    • Boards of Study
    • Programme Teaching Committees

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 Consultative Committee meetings

 

Facilities

Library

Access to high quality interactive online resources/e-journals and online textbooks

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, eg dyslexia,  physical disability

 

Assessment methods and strategies

Regulation of assessment

  • Assessment rules and MSc classification details are as provided in the MSc programme handbook.

Indicators of quality and standards

 
  • SHEFC Teaching Quality Assessment (1996/97) deemed the College’s overall provision ‘excellent’

Assessments

 

Assessments are creative and include both critical analysis of scientific works and encouragement of ideas. Assessment examples range from report writing to 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.

Career opportunities

Staff development priorities include:

  • Identified through staff appraisal scheme.

Student Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for veterinary graduates with training in conservation medicine exist within:

  • Wildlife and conservation agencies and charities.
  • Zoos
  • Governmental veterinary, agriculture and forestry departments.
  • Other NGOs who recognise that veterinary expertise is increasingly necessary as part of a multidisciplinary approach for wildlife and biodiversity conservation projects.
  • Academic research and teaching institutions

Other items

 

Further information

View the prospectus entry for this programme
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