University of Pretoria MSc Tropical Animal Health (Coursework)

The degree is offered by the Department of: Veterinary Tropical Diseases.

The MSc degree in Veterinary Science is offered as either a research degree or a coursework degree.

This degree primarily aims to address an international audience involved in tropical livestock and wildlife health, management and production in support of rural development, also wishing to integrate the impact of the diseases and control activities on the local ecosystems in order to increase knowledge and effectiveness of control strategies. The degree is more geared towards veterinarians and professionals with a background in Animal Health and Zoology, but it may also be of interest to medical professionals who want to broaden their scope. The modular programme is structured in such a way that a learner can, by selecting the appropriate elective and skills modules, achieve a qualification that will support various career paths.

Students are required to confirm whether a module will be presented in any particular year. This enquiry should be directed to the relevant head of department according to the syllabi information provided in the list of modules in this publication.

This degree is offered as a combination of e-learning, face-to-face teaching and a compulsory collaborative induction/field-workshop.

It has the following components:

•           A one to two week compulsory induction/field-workshop

•           Compulsory core modules

•           Elective modules (Theory-based and Skills-based)

•           Mini-dissertation

For the MSc Tropical Animal Health the mini-dissertation will include an oral examination conducted face to face or via video conference. The oral examining panel will include an examiner from each institute (not the supervisor).  A mark will be given which will constitute 10% of the final mini-dissertation mark. The dissertation will also be examined by one internal and one external examiner as stipulated by the UP regulations; a mark will be given which will constitute 90% of the final mini-dissertation mark.

A qualification that will support various career paths, including microbiology or parasitology, veterinary field services, or general veterinary practice, to name a few.

Subject to the stipulations of the applicable General Regulations, a BScHons, a four-year BScAgric, BVSc or equivalent degree or a relevant postgraduate diploma (on NQF level 8) is required.

Two years of professional experience might be required in certain cases.

Additional Requirements

In cases where web-based/online modules are offered, basic computer skills is required in order to successfully participate in the degree programme.

In certain cases, it remains the prerogative of the head of department to require, in addition to the entrance requirements, the successful completion of an admissions test before registration. A student may be required to pass a proficiency test in English (TOEFL).

International requirements

International students have to ensure they are aware of all aspects pertaining to them to study at the University of Pretoria which can be found at www.up.ac.za/isd.

The University of Pretoria aspires to be internationally competitive and nationally relevant. The Faculty achieves this by ensuring that its academic and research programmes conform to the highest standards and that the national and international accreditation of its degrees by professional bodies is maintained. Furthermore, the Faculty strives that the market value associated with its degree will always be of competitive benefit to students.