VMED 7000

Veterinary Public Practice Seminar (formerly 5990)

1 credit
Tuesdays, 2:30pm

Instructor: Dr. Tim Goldsmith
Office Location: 385 ASVM
Email Address: gold0188@umn.edu
 

Course prerequisites
DVM degree, MPH degree seeking student or permission of instructor

Course Description
Veterinary public practice seminar will provide interactive review of current public practice topics in the areas of:
• Environmental and Ecosystem Health/Toxicology
• Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
• Public Health Administration and Education
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Food Safety
These discussions will be supplemental to current course offerings in the public practice curriculum. The seminar will address a current issue or be case/problem based that demonstrates advanced knowledge in the above public practice topic areas. Students will identify the issues/cases and resources needed to facilitate the discussion of the topics.

Course goals
As a result of this course, participants will:
• Be able to identify sources of information on current topics in veterinary public practice
• Be able to identify and utilize resources that will provide insight into addressing the current issues facing veterinary public practice.
• Be able to facilitate discussion of and demonstrate competencies in veterinary public practice issues or cases.
• Be able to present a balanced perspective of controversial topics and weigh the strength of the evidence.
• Know how to disseminate current information on veterinary public practice through a variety of methods such as list serves, white papers, fact sheets, webinars, etc.
• Develop communication skills (written and oral) as professionals working at the convergence of animal health, public health, and the environment.

Learning objectives
• Be able to describe the activities of State and Federal regulatory authorities and policies that impact animal health, food safety, and environmental health.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic epidemiology skills as they relate to animal health, food safety, and environmental health.
• Understand how to conduct an outbreak investigation including agent characteristics, diagnostic test performance, descriptive epidemiology and response.
• Know the incubation period, symptoms and likely sources of common zoonotic and foodborne pathogens (viral, bacterial and parasitic).
• Gain an understanding of environmental health topics such as water contamination, manure management, radiologic contamination, wildlife disease, and others that impacted public health, agriculture or industry interests.

Coursework
Each student will be expected to facilitate discussion of a veterinary public practice topic. This will include identification of the topic, identification of relevant sources, development of an introduction to the topic and facilitation of the class discussion about the topic. It is expected that the student will introduce divergent ideas and be able to evaluate the strength of conflicting information.

Assessment:
Student participation is required. This includes attending class sessions and actively participating in topic discussions. Student presentations and seminar facilitation will be evaluated by course instructor(s). Development of Daily News topics will be reviewed by classmates and faculty.

Additional Information

Attendance requirements:
No more than 1 unexcused absence per semester.

Assignments (include policy on late assignments):
Each student will facilitate the class discussion around a veterinary public practice topic at least once each semester. This will include providing the class with an introductory overview, relevant resources and facilitating discussion. The student will serve as a “topic expert” serving as a leader for topic discussion and stimulating class participation.

Each student will be responsible for writing at least two weeks of the CAHFS Daily News veterinary public practice List Serve. This will be delivered on weekdays to the List Serve subscribers and include an overview of at least 3 current topics in local, national and international veterinary public practice and food security and defense. These will be reviewed by classmates and faculty.

Examinations:
None

Grading:
S/N or A-F

Attendance: 20%
Participation in class discussion: 20%
Facilitation of class discussion/preparation of introduction to topic/providing relevant resources: 40%
CAHFS Daily News: 20%

The following policies apply to all courses at the University of Minnesota:
Grading and Transcripts: Twin Cities, Morris, Rochester.
Teaching and Learning: Instructor and Unit Responsibilities: Twin Cities, Morris, Rochester).
Teaching and Learning: Student Responsibilities (Twin Cities, Morris, Rochester)
Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences: Twin Cities, Morris, Rochester
Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Classroom: Twin Cities, Morris, Rochester
Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials: Twin Cities, Morris, Rochester
Student Conduct Code
Sexual Harassment
Diversity, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Affirmative Action
Availability of Mental Health Services