This exciting new course focuses on provision of knowledge in analytical epidemiology and on how to apply this knowledge in the control of diseases in both human and animal populations (One Health Concept). The course has been designed to train a new generation of human capital which will provide the necessary leadership in solving various health challenges using epidemiological tools to improve the health and welfare of our communities.
Upon completion of the MSc in One Health Analytical epidemiology, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the concept of “One Health” and its application in the development of health policy and the control and prevention of infectious diseases.
- Demonstrate knowledge on how interactions between human and animal populations and environmental changes can lead to emergency and reemerging of infectious diseases.
- Plan, undertake and analyze data from a research project concerning human, animal and zoonotic diseases and be able to monitor and evaluate activities for policy and programme development.
- Apply a scientific style of writing in the presentation of research.
- Apply economic and socio-economic concepts and methods in the design, implementation and evaluation of health delivery services.
- Determine the factors affecting the occurrence and spread of disease through human and animal populations and be able to prevent or control such spread.
The course is a two- year full-time MSc programme of the University of Zambia calendar of semesters and academic years comprising of a taught component in the first year and a research project culminating into the submission of dissertation in the second year.
Year One
- Students will undertake the following core courses:
- Research Methodology and Computer Applications
- Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Disease Surveillance and Risk Analysis
- Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases
- Infectious Disease Modeling and Geographical Information System
- Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
- One Health Medicine and Globalization
In addition students will be able to choose one elective course from the following:
- Health Economics, Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics
- Environmental Epidemiology
Year Two
Year two shall comprise supervised research work culminating into submission of a dissertation and shall be undertaken over a period of two semesters of full-time study. The topic (research proposal) of the dissertation shall be guided by the One Health Theme and shall be approved by the School Postgraduate Committee in the last seven weeks of the second semester of part I.
The MSc in One Health Analytical Epidemiology will be offered by the School of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with the School of Medicine at the University of Zambia. All the students will be registered by the School of Veterinary Medicine. The School of Veterinary Medicine was established in 1984 and has some of
the best learning facilities in Zambia. The School has long standing experience in conducting postgraduate training and research in diseases of veterinary and public health importance. The School is located within the University of Zambia main campus.
Course delivery will mainly be done by experts from the Schools of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine of the University of Zambia. Experts from other Southern
African academic and research institutions within the SACIDS consortium as well as staff from collaborating research institutions in industrialized countries, especially
the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) will also participate in course delivery. This will create a blend
of professional knowledge and skills in epidemiology and One Health that will provide a unique learning environment.
Courses will be taught by internationally recognized staff from Southern African institutions participating in the SACIDS consortium, developed in partnership with the UK’s London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHM), the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and others, which offer world-class postgraduate programmes in health and related disciplines.
Experienced scientists from SACIDS institutions will combine strong capacity in molecular biology and One Health to provide a unique blend of professional knowledge and skills for the graduate of this innovative MSc programme. Initially, the course will target students from the Southern African region, but it is anticipated that it will be offered to students internationally in the futures years, in recognition of the global nature of margining disease threats.
Course Coordinator: Dr Martin C. Simuunza
Phone: +260 211 293727
Mobile: +260 968808511
Fax: +260 211 293727
Website: www.unza.zm
Address: Department of Disease Control
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Zambia
P. O. Box 32379
Lusaka, Zambia.