There are also a number of 50-hour modules available for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). There are no entry requirements for these modules and you may register and commence studying immediately.
Once you register for an individual module, you will receive a letter of registration and a pack containing all the materials you need (e.g. learning notes, readings and textbooks). Access to the VLE is limited for 50-hour modules.
If you successfully complete the assessment we will send you a Certificate of Achievement, which notes the number of study hours required for the course.
What can you study?
Advanced risk analysis using @ RISK software (LVM501)
Understanding risk analysis has become essential for people working in animal health policy. This module provides a basic understanding, with particular emphasis on qualitative and quantitative risk assessment. Discover how to use frameworks and probability theory to build a simple quantitative model using a software package called @RISK.
Animal disease surveillance (LVM503)
Animal disease surveillance has become more important given increasing concerns for food safety and the emergence of new diseases. This module introduces the principles of disease control and how programmes are implemented and evaluated. Understand the complexity of the decision-making process and how epidemiological tools can help in the control and eradication of animal diseases.
Control of food safety: red meat, poultry, eggs, milk and milk products (LVM509)
This course concerns microbiological aspects of food safety in the production of red and poultry meat, eggs, milk and milk products. Examine methods to reduce microbiological contamination in meat during the entire production chain. Understand the importance of egg shells and milk as vehicles for human infection and the methods used to reduce contamination.
Design and analysis of epidemiological investigations - observational and intervention studies (LVM513)
This module introduces you to observational and intervention studies conducted on populations, and how to measure association between disease and risk factors. Learn more about different measures of association and the most suitable application for each one. This allows you to evaluate these studies and statistical testing requirements.
Development of a disease control programme: salmonella in pigs and bovine TB (LVM510)
Analyse two examples of national disease control programmes in veterinary public health - salmonella in pig herds in Denmark and tuberculosis in cattle in the UK - to recognise the important elements of a disease eradication programme. By the end of this module, you can develop your own strategies for combating similar chronic farm animal diseases.
Herd health management (LVM502)
Information management is the foundation of food animal production-oriented health programmes. Good information allows managers to make good decisions, identify shortfalls, and monitor interventions. This module introduces herd health programmes and the economic principles governing their design and delivery, plus the role of computers in herd health management, using the CamDairy software package as an example.
Introduction to statistics, hypothesis testing, study design and analysis of data (LVM511)
Assuming you have no prior knowledge of statistical analysis, this module explains the basic concepts of statistics and provides a basic introduction to statistical analysis in veterinary and animal health fields. Learn about hypothesis testing, sampling, study design and parametric and nonparametric methods of data analysis.
Introduction to veterinary public health, risk analysis and risk assessment (LVM506)
Explore the diverse nature of Veterinary Public Health (VPH) in this introductory module. Discover how food can constitute a hazard to human health, and how to measure the risk to consumer health. Gain a basic understanding of risk analysis, with particular emphasis on qualitative and quantitative risk assessment.
Principles of food safety control and 'farm to fork' concept (LVM508)
Examine how to control food safety hazards throughout production, storage and distribution. Identify suitable control measures to avoid food poisoning bacteria and viruses that may contaminate ready-to-eat food. Examine the controversial use of antibiotics, the associated problem of antibiotic resistance, and the implications for public health.
Principles, methodology and sampling in epidemiological investigations (LVM512)
The module emphasises the practical use of sampling theory to answer epidemiological questions, with examples of effective use of sampling techniques for epidemiological investigations. Discover methods for describing the frequency of disease occurrence in animal populations; examine techniques for making inferences about large populations on the basis of a sample; and learn about the techniques used for effective sampling of populations.
Tools for economic analysis in epidemiology (LVM515)
Assuming no prior experience of animal health economics, this practical module introduces the principles of economic analysis and a number of tools used to aid decision making. Learn how to use the tools in a number of activities and case studies while understanding issues so you can critically review the work of others.
Zoonoses of parasitic, bacterial and viral origin (LVM507)
This module provides an overview of some major zoonotic diseases, their epidemiology and their control. It considers some emerging and re-emerging zoonoses that are important to human health. The course provides separate coverage of parasites, bacteria, viruses, rickettsia and prions.
You can find further information on 50 hour modules on the Royal Veterinary College's website.