Conservation Medicine (Online Learning) MVetSci, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev

The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

To provide veterinarians with the skills and knowledge required to be effective practitioners of conservation medicine.

In response to the increasing recognition of a need for trained veterinarians in this field, this online learning programme 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 programme aims to:

• Enhance knowledge and understanding of conservation medicines from a global perspective in order to enable effective veterinary participation in this complex interdisciplinary field
• Enhance knowledge and skills relating to the diseases of wild animals and veterinary aspects of the conservation of endangered species
• 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
• Provide a first-class learning experience, leading to the development of proactive, independent, reflective and life-long learners

Graduates can expect to enhance their career prospects in:

• academia
• research
• governmental and non-governmental organisations
• consultancies
• government veterinary positions
• captive or free-ranging wildlife conservation projects

You will be better able to drive the development of novel career pathways as this field continues to evolve in response to the complexity of the conservation challenges we face.

The degree programme is structured to allow sequential progression from individual courses to Certificate, Diploma and MVetSci phases. Students may also exit the programme on completion of each phase.

The programme is designed to be taken part-time over three years at 20 hours per week, with the option to complete in up to six years if required.

The programme is modular in structure, offering a flexible student-centred approach to the choice of courses studied.

The completion times are as follows:

• PgCert: 1-2 years
• PgDip: 2-4 years
• MVetSci: 3-6 years

You may undertake the programme by Intermittent Study (flexible progression route), accruing credits within a maximum time limit of six years for the MVetSci.

Elective courses

There are compulsory courses at each level of study within this programme. In addition, you may tailor your selection of elective courses according to your needs, interests and career ambitions.

These courses can be chosen from several programmes offered across the University of Edinburgh, providing you with a breadth of options.

You are required to complete a sufficient number of course credits to be awarded:

• the certificate (60 credits)
• the diploma (120 credits)
• the MSc (180 credits)

Intermittent study

You may undertake the programme by Intermittent Study (flexible progression route), accruing credits within a maximum time limit of six years for the MVetSci.

Certificate

For students wishing to study for the Certificate, the maximum period for this is 2 years.

Diploma

For those undertaking the Diploma as well, the maximum period for this is 4 years.

20 credit courses (elsewhere often called ‘modules’) are delivered in 2 blocks of 5 weeks of study plus 1 week of independent study and reflection time in between.

10 credit courses are delivered over 5 weeks. The majority of the lecture material is pre-recorded so that it can be watched at any time.

Each 10 credits represents 100 hours of study time and a time commitment of 20 hours per week.

Year 1: Courses for the Certificate

• Introduction to Conservation Medicine
• Ecosystem health and species conservation
• Applied epidemiology and surveillance for Conservation Medicine

Year 2: Courses for the Diploma

In Year 2, you need to take the two compulsory courses below (a total of 20 credits).

• Veterinary techniques and interventions for conservation medicine
• Wildlife disease management

You also need to choose courses from the following elective modules up to a total of 40 credits.

Course

• Interventions in Wild Animal Health

• Managing and Leading Conservation Projects

• Species Translocations

• Conservation Genetics

• Introduction to GIS and Spatial Data Analysis

• Invasive Non-Native Species

• An Introduction to Transboundary Diseases and Their Impact on Trade and Wildlife Populations

• Technology Advances in Veterinary Diagnostics

• The Use of Artificial Reproduction Technology (ARTs) in Threatened Species

• The Modern Zoo

• Captive and Free-Ranging Wild Animal Welfare

• Introduction to Wildlife Forensics

• Zoonotic Disease

• Wildlife Trade

• Scientific Paradigms, Research Approaches and Study Design Across Disciplines *

*This course is compulsory for students progressing to the dissertation. It is an elective for all other Diploma students.

Year 3: Written reflective element

Written reflective element

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

To progress to the final level to attain the Master (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

The written reflective element 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, before being admitted to the Master's year.

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

Credit-bearing standalone short courses

Masters (MVetSci)

The dissertation element allows students to further develop scientific skills and apply scientific theory, in a less structured learning environment.

The dissertation is designed to advance your understanding of the processes and planning involved in undertaking research and to develop your scientific written communication skills, research ethics, statistics and the principle of good research practice.

This is a self-directed course but you are supported by an allocated subject-specific expert supervisor, statistician and experienced researchers from within the programme team. You are also encouraged, where appropriate, to work closely with senior staff at your home institution.

Postgraduate Professional Development

Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course(s), without the time or financial commitment of a full Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.

You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years through our PPD scheme. These lead to a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit. Alternatively, after one year of taking courses, you can choose to transfer your credits and continue to study towards a higher award on a Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.

Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout the year, currently, you may only start a Master, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme in September. Any time spent studying PPD will be deducted from the amount of time you will have left to complete a Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.