Study guide Master Veterinary Medicine Track Animal Welfare Management 2017
Contents Abbreviations... 3 General information... 4 Relationship with the curriculum... 4 Contents... 4 Aims... 4 Program outcomes... 5 Starting points... 7 Logistics... 7 Course based program (20 weeks)... 7 Internship based program (17-19 weeks)... 8 Assessment... 8 Supervision... 9 Feedback... 9 2
Abbreviations AWMP ECTS FVM RAP TOC Animal Welfare Management Plan European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Risk Assessment Plan Track Onderwijs Commissie (track teaching committee) 3
General information Organisation Track Animal Welfare Management Composition of the TOC: Drs. Ellen Meijer, Dr. Robert Favier, Dr. L.J.A. Lipman, Dr. S.S. Arndt (chair) Lecturers: In alphabetical order: Dr. E.J. M. Achterberg (DWM), Dr. S.S. Arndt (DWM), Dr. H. Boleij (DWM), Ing. I.E. Boissevain (DWM), Dr. Marie-José H.M. Duchateau (Behavioural Biology), Dr. F. van Eerdenburg (LH), Prof. A.A. Freriks (DWM), Dr. V. Goerlich-Jansson (DWM), Dr. S. Kirchhoff (DWM), Drs. J.E. van der Laan (DWM), Dr. H.M.B. Lesscher (DWM), Dr. F.L.B. Meijboom (DWM, Ethiek Instituut), Drs. J. Nieuwland (DWM), Dr. R.E. Nordquist (LH), Prof. Dr. F. Ohl (DWM), Dr. G.M.J. Ramakers (UMCU), Ing. T.P. Rooymans (DWM), Dr. M.B.H. Schilder (DWM), Prof. Dr. M. Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan (GP), Dr. F.R. Stafleu (Ethiek Instituut), Dr. J. van der Valk (DWM), Prof. Dr. Louk J.M.J. Vanderschuren (DWM), Dr. F. Josef van der Staay (LH), Dr. M.M.J. Veeneman (UMCU), Dr. Y. van Zeeland (GD), Dr. C.M. Vinke (DWM). Relationship with the curriculum Individual students can adjust the order in which they take the individual parts of the track (courses and internship) in such a way that the compulsory elements of the parent Master s program can be followed without any conflicts of timetable. There is no given order of the parts of the track. None of the parts of the major have to be completed before students can enrol in the track and if they wish, students can engage in the track within the first year of their major. Details on how the track is embedded in the master program can be found in the Teaching and Examination Regulations (O.E.R.) (http://students.uu.nl/, http://www.uu.nl/masters/). Contents This track equips students within the master s programme to become veterinarian with specialist knowledge of Management of Animal Welfare. A maximum of 25 students will be admitted annually. The track consists of 20 weeks of courses on specific topics combined with an research internship of 19 weeks (for those pursuing a track in equine veterinary medicine: 17 weeks). The taught element of the course is divided in a compulsory core program (10 weeks) and an elective program (10 weeks). Students will write their Master s thesis related to their research internship and also prepare a dissertation specifically within the track (track thesis) which will be the development of an animal welfare management plan (AWMP). Aims Within the BSc program of the veterinary curriculum we offer students an introduction to the biology of what is meant by welfare and to our dynamic concept of welfare as related to the animal s own capacity to adapt to environmental or other challenges. Within that framework we also teach the basics of practical welfare 4
assessment. The master track will take this further and provide the knowledge and the skills actually to approach the management of animal welfare. As well as reviewing existing scientific knowledge, the course will also explore ethical norms and societal values, as well as legal frameworks affecting the assessment and management of welfare. Program outcomes Knowledge, skills and professional behaviour in the context of welfare management, which will be obtained within this master track, are essential for the veterinarian. The following outcomes of the Veterinary Medicine curriculum in relation to management and welfare of animals are met and developed in additional depth in the master track Animal Welfare Management: 6. Technical aspects 6.1 The animal, the herd, the animal product, the enterprise, the owner or the environment The veterinarian has knowledge and insight in relation to: quality and risk management on livestock farms. 6.11 Operational management The veterinarian demonstrates: awareness of the need for adequate management in every form of professional cooperation. The veterinarian has knowledge and insight in relation to: the basic principles of (business) management and marketing. 6.5 Evaluation of findings The veterinarian is able to: - take action on / notify welfare abuses. - evaluate the relevance of additional examination and/or intervention for the subsequent decision-making process taking account of: - the chance of success. - the risks for public health. - the safety of foodstuffs of animal origin. - the degree to which the animal s welfare is affected. - the wishes of the person requesting the service. - the costs and benefits to be expected. 8. Personal aspects 8.2 The relationship of the veterinarian with humans and animals The veterinarian is able to: deal with the ethical problems in relation to the area of tension between the economy of the livestock farm (the enterprise), animal health, animal welfare and public health and to make these discussable. 8.3 Functioning in respect of veterinary activities The veterinarian demonstrates: willingness to promote the health and welfare of the animal and to promote the quality and safety of foodstuffs of animal origin taking account of the animal s value of it s own. 9 Social aspects 9.1 The social responsibility of the veterinarian in relation to animal health, animal welfare, public health and food safety 5
The veterinarian demonstrates: an understanding of the demand from society for guarantees with respect to animal welfare. the awareness that economic interests can exceed the capacity of the animal to adapt and thereby can be in conflict with the welfare of the animal. The veterinarian has knowledge and insight in relation to: general philosophical questions in veterinary medicine: the keeping of animals, health and disease, welfare and death, healing and killing. 9.3 Organisations concerned with the keeping of animals The veterinarian is able to: cooperatively and constructively collaborate in the management of these organisations and manage/control (parts of) organisation(s). The veterinarian has knowledge and insight in relation to: the general principles of strategic management, operational management (financial and personnel) and personal management. Program outcomes of the track Animal Welfare Management Identifying risks for animal welfare: Based on detailed understanding of animal welfare- concepts and requirements, students should be able to identify (potential) risks for animal welfare. Developing practical animal welfare risk assessment strategies: Students should be able to identify and compile factors relevant to animal welfare and integrate these into an animal welfare risk assessment. By writing risk assessment plans for animal welfare managers, students should translate general protocols for risk assessment into practical guidelines on how to identify (potential) risks for animal welfare in particular instances. Responsibilities regarding animal welfare management: Students are expected to gain insight in how responsibilities regarding animal welfare management are regulated and implemented at particular locations where animals are kept. Developing practical animal welfare management strategies: Students should be able to integrate theoretical frameworks of animal welfare management and knowledge gained while developing practical animal welfare risk assessment strategies into animal welfare management plans. Formulating and communicating a view on animal welfare management: Students should be able to formulate and communicate an informed view on animal welfare management. As a consequence, they should be able to advise stakeholders on setting up animal welfare management solutions. Furthermore, they will learn how communication influences outcomes of animal welfare management and should be able to contribute to societal and ethical discussions regarding animal welfare management. Placing animal welfare management in relevant contexts: Students should be able to place animal welfare management in a personal, professional, societal, legal and ethical context. Taking responsibility for animal welfare management as a veterinarian: Students should be able to translate discussions within the different contexts into good veterinary practice regarding animal welfare management. They will also be expected to reflect on their own role and responsibilities regarding societal and legal questions. Finally, they will learn what is necessary to take 6
and perform the role as a veterinarian in animal welfare management related subjects and should develop personal leadership skills. Starting points The master track Animal Welfare Management is developed in order to allow veterinarians to function in the rapidly developing part of the profession which is situated at the interface between animals, their owners, society, the environment, the economy and politics. Veterinarians who have completed the track will be able to perform a structured analysis of animal welfare issues, write Animal Welfare Management plans and advice involved parties on setting up sustainable Animal Welfare Management solutions. Logistics The program consist of an 20 weeks course based core program and a 17-19 week long individual internship. In close cooperation with Dr. Saskia Arndt (program coordinator of the Track Animal Welfare Management) the student will compile an individual program and planning for this track. The compulsory courses required will be scheduled once ( Ethology and Welfare, November; Legislation, February) or twice ( (Neuro)biology of Behaviour, Animal ethics ; September and February) a year. The exam for art. 9 certification will be scheduled twice (June and November) a year. If students encounter logistic or organizational difficulties in registering for courses or applying for specific internships because of the planning of major components in MSc Veterinary Medicine, education coordinators are asked to provide some flexibility in scheduling. The final program will be reviewed and when appropriate approved by the TOC. Course based program (20 weeks) The course based program consist of a compulsory program and an elective course. The study guides of the elective courses can be found on BlackBoard. Compulsory core program (10 weeks): Students are required to participate successfully in two of the following elective courses at Utrecht University: Ethology and Welfare: This course focuses at behavioural and welfare problems in animals. It addresses the (neuro)ethological basis, the implications for science and society, and clinical aspects (causes, diagnostics, prevention, treatment). (Neuro)biology of Behaviour (Neurobiologie van Gedrag): This course focuses on neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and the neurobiological (emotional- and cognitive) processes that determine complex behaviour. Ethics of Animal Welfare (Ethiek van diergebruik): This course focuses on ethical aspects regarding animals and regarding the veterinary profession. Legislation (Dier en recht): This course focuses on the national and international legal frames regarding Animal welfare and health, relevant for the veterinary profession. 7
In addition, students have to successfully pass the national exam for art. 9 certification within the basic master part Responsible Use of Experimental Animals (Verantwoord Proefdiergebruik). Elective program (10 weeks): Students have to participate successfully in (at least) two further elective courses. For that, students might decide on courses offered at Utrecht University (see above) but, may also elect courses outside University Utrecht as long as all attainment targets/outcomes of the track Animal Welfare Management are met. The student has to identify such (a) course(s) her-/himself and ask the TOC to review the course(s). Only those courses approved by the TOC can be integrated in the individual education program of the student. Internship based program (17-19 weeks) The internship should fit within the total individual student s program plan. For this part students should perform a research internship of at least 12 weeks. International internships are encouraged. In the remaining weeks of the internship period subjects related to the internship (e.g. context-specific management aspects) will be studied by the students. Students have to write a master thesis, the animal welfare risk assessment plan (RAP), related to their research internship. A list of selected partners for internships will be provided by the TOC. Every partner will have a contact person at the Veterinary Faculty in Utrecht. Experts in the field, to be appointed by the TOC, will supervise students during their internships. Students will be provided by the track master internship supervision group with research questions to work on. Assessment Students have to successfully pass the exams (minimum grade 5.5) of the selected courses. Furthermore, students have to successfully pass the national exam for art. 9 certification within the basic master part Responsible Use of Experimental Animals ( Verantwoord Proefdiergebruik ). (In order to become eligible to register for this exam, students have first to pass the presentation task successfully (grade 5.5) first.) Assessment of the master thesis, an animal welfare risk assessment plan (RAP), will be done using the existing system at the Veterinary Faculty of Utrecht University (see BlackBoard onderzoeksstage ; minimum grade 5.5.). Furthermore, students have to write a track thesis, an animal welfare management plan (AWMP). (Instructions regarding RAP and AWMP can be found in the document Guidelines for the master thesis (Animal Welfare Risk Assessment Plan (RAP)) and track thesis (Animal Welfare Management Plan (AWMP)) ). Assessment of this track thesis will be done by a dedicated examination group (experts in the field; to be appointed by the TOC; minimum grade 5.5) (see also table 1). Tabel 1 assessement within AWMT component/course assignments weight for final component grade Ethology and Welfare result Major assignment 1 Major assignment 2 mean = 25% grade Minor assignment 15% grade Written exam 60% grade weight for final track grade 10% 8
(Neuro)biology of Behaviour Ethics of Animal Welfare Legislation National exam for art. 9 certification (task presentation must be passed successfully (grade 5.5) in order to take the written exam) Master thesis (RAP) Master track thesis (AWMT) WCO 30% grade Written exam 70% grade 10% WCO 50% grade Write a paper task 50% grade 10% Write a paper task 70% grade Written exam 30% grade 10% Written exam 100% grade 5% Practical work 40% grade Report 40% grade 15% Presentation 20% grade Report 80% grade Presentation 40% 20% grade Personal development Oral feedback (at least twice during track) - Oral summative feedback by mentor Minimum track grade: 5.5 - Supervision Both the animal welfare risk assessment plan and the animal welfare management plan will be written by students under the guidance of a personal mentor with knowledge of the subject. Feedback Students will be given personal feedback on their individual education program by a personal mentor, to be appointed by the TOC. This mentor will have regular feedback sessions (at least two) with the student to discuss learning outcomes and personal development (see also table 1). 9