There are two post graduate programmes in the department of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary Public Health

1) MSc in Veterinary Microbiology

Objectives of the program

General objective

The general objective of the programme is to produce qualified veterinary specialists in the area of Veterinary Microbiology who are equipped with sufficient theoretical knowledge, practical skills and latest scientific techniques to deal with microbial pathogens, primarily affecting animals as well as zoonotic pathogens affecting human health.

Specific Objectives

• To offer specialized training that leads to an MSc Degree in Veterinary Microbiology;
• To provide veterinarians and related professionals with the latest knowledge and skills in applied microbiology, immunology of microbial pathogens, and molecular biology of microbes;
• To strengthen the teaching and research activities of the College, as well as related academic and research institutions in Ethiopia, and also that of African countries (with possible collaboration);
• To become nationally, regionally as well as internationally competent academic and research program aiming at cellular and molecular biology of microbial pathogens; evolution and diversity of microbial pathogens; microbial pathogenetic mechanisms; diagnostic techniques, host immune response against them; vaccine design and novel microbial therapeutic strategies.

Courses

 Module List (Syllabus)

Module No.	Module Title	Module code	Cr. hr	ECTS hrs	ECTS	Duration (Weeks)
	Common modules
1	Pedagogy	CTPD 601	2	175	7	2
2	Research Methods and Applied Statistics	BMSC 700	3	240	8	3
	General subject modules
3	Advanced Veterinary Microbiology	MVPH 711	4	330	11	4
4	Molecular Biology	MVPH 712	2	195	6.5	2
	Specialization modules
5	Microbial Genetics and Pathogenesis	MVPH 713	4	330	11	4
6	Molecular and Cellular Immunology	MVPH 714	4	345	11.5	4
7	Advanced Microbiological Diagnostic Methods	MVPH 715	3	270	9	3
8	Current Topics in Microbiology	MVPH 716	2	300	10	4
9	MSc Thesis	MVPH 817	4	2100	70	40
	Elective modules*
10	Basic Veterinary Epidemiology

Laboratory Animal Science

Wild Animal Medicine and Reproductive ManagementCLIS 711

PAPA 716

CLIS 7293

2

2270

159

1809

6.5

63

2

2 Total 30 – 314444 – 4555150 – 153 

Admission Requirements

The candidates who meet the following requirements may be admitted to the program in line with other Addis Ababa University rules and regulations governing graduate programs:

• A candidate must be a holder of a recognized degree in Veterinary Medicine or Human Medicine;
• Other types of applicants that may be eligible to attend the program include: graduates with Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc); graduates with BSc in Laboratory Technology (Vet. or Med.) + Diploma in Animal Health; as well as graduates with BSc in related fields of study (Ex. Biology).
• However, the second group of applicants may be required to take course pre-requisites from undergraduate DVM curriculum before joining the Master’s program. These courses are audited but not credited. This additional step of attending audited course pre-requisites will be based on assessment of their previous course taking relevant to the program.
• Preferably two years of work experience after a DVM or MD degree;
• A candidate would       be expected to produce a testimony of financial support;
• Candidates who satisfy all the above requirements will be required to sit and pass entrance examinations.

Graduation Requirements

Module work

• The teaching method is based on the principles of problem-centered activities of learning. Participation in lectures, practical (laboratory) sessions, projects, assignments, seminars, field and laboratory visits, individual and/or group presentation and discussion shall be employed in the program.
• At the end of each module, each candidate will be required to pass all examinations. All the modules with written final examination will be graded according to the rules and regulations of graduate programs of the AAU. A student should score a minimum of cGPA of 3.00.

Thesis

• The Master’s thesis project proposal, research work, thesis write-up and public defense is planned to be carried out during the 10 months period of the program, following the module work.
• A thesis shall constitute a partial requirement for the fulfillment for the attainment of the Master’s Degree in of Science in Veterinary Microbiology;
• The selection of thesis topics shall be based on the broad objectives of the country and priority areas of research set by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Addis Ababa University. The research work may be carried out in collaboration with other universities or institutions within Ethiopia;
• The subject of the thesis of each student shall be approved by the Department Graduate Committee (DGC) and the Faculty Academic Commission;
• The thesis work shall be submitted at the end of the 18 month study period;
• The thesis shall essentially reveal individual academic efforts to find and enrich scientific solution to identified problems in livestock health and production in Ethiopia. The conclusions arrived at and/or the methodology employed shall have such a standard of its level and the work would be judged original preferably with the context of its application to solve Ethiopian problems;
• The University-wide regulation for preparation, submission and examination of Master’s theses shall apply;
• A student to be recommended for graduation should be awarded a minimum score of Good (B) by the examination board based on the quality of thesis and viva voce.

2) MSc Program in Veterinary Public Health

Objectives of the program

General Objectives

The general objective of the programme is to produce qualified veterinary specialists in the area of veterinary public health equipped with sufficient theoretical knowledge, practical skills and latest scientific techniques to deal with common tropical veterinary public health problems.

Specific Objectives

• To offer specialised training that leads to an MSc Degree in Veterinary Public Health;
• To provide sufficient knowledge to veterinarians and other related professionals working in government and private institutions as well as from higher education, research institutions, food processing and export industries with modern knowledge and skills in veterinary public health;
• Become nationally, regionally as well as internationally competent academic and research program dealing with veterinary food hygiene; zoonoses, food borne infections and intoxications; emerging and re-emerging zoonozic microbial pathogens; and quality and safety control methods in animal products.
• To strengthen the teaching and research activities of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and related teaching and research institutes in Ethiopia, as well as, in East and southern African Region.

Graduate Profile

• Competent in the practice of Veterinary Public Health, sufficient competence in zoonotic disease control strategies and food safety and quality control in public and private sectors in the country;
• Equipped with the knowledge and skills in handling and solving VPH problems, technical planning and management of veterinary public health research, teaching and development programmes;
• Motivated for creativity, social consciousness, professional ethics and a sense of responsibility to work toward national goals and development.

Admission Requirements

• The candidates who meet the following requirements may be admitted to the programme in line with other Addis Ababa University rules and regulations governing graduate programmes:
• A candidate must be a holder of a recognized degree in Veterinary Medicine or Human Medicine;
• Graduates with Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) may also be admitted to the program; however, applicants may be subjected to attend course pre-requisites from undergraduate DVM curriculum before joining the masters program. These courses are audited but not credited. This additional step of attending audited course pre-requisites will be based on assessment of their previous course taking relevant to the program.
• Preferably two years of work experience after a DVM or MD degree;
• A candidate submits a testimony of financial support;
• Candidates who satisfy all the above requirements will be required to sit and pass entrance examinations.

Courses

Module List (Syllabus)

Module No.	Module Title	Size (%)	No of Modules	Module code	Cr. value	No of ECTS	No of ECTS hrs
1	Pedagogy	10	1.0	CTPD 601	2	7	175
2	Research Methods and Applied Statistics	10	1.0	BMSC 701	3	7	210
	General subject modules	25	2.0
3	Advanced Veterinary Food Hygiene			MVPH 711	3	8.5	255
4	Food Microbiological Techniques and Bioassays			MVPH 721	3	9	270
	Specialization modules	40	4.0
5	Zoonoses, Food borne Infections and Intoxications			MVPH 731	4	10.5	315
6	Food Quality and Safety			MVPH 742	4	11	330
7	International Trade in Livestock and Livestock products			MVPH 752	2	6	150
8	Current Topics in Veterinary Public Health			MVPH 762	2	3	90
9	MScThesis	15	1.0	MVPH 772	4	20	600
	Elective modules*		1.0
10	Molecular BiologyBasic Veterinary Epidemiology

Wild Animal Medicine and Reproductive Management  MVMB 721CLVE711

CLOG 782

23

267

6180210

180

3) PhD Program in Veterinary Public Health

Objectives of the program

The objectives of the PhD program is to prepare exceptionally qualified individuals for a career in research and teaching in veterinary public health. The aim is to provide students with wide and deep knowledge and assist to develop   updated skills in veterinary public health. The underlying objective is to enable graduates acquire the knowledge, develop skills   and confidence   in the science of veterinary public health and prepare them to make a positive contribution to the society (teaching, research, leadership).

Graduate profile

The graduate is expected to

• Formulate policy in veterinary public health at federal and regional level.
• have capacity to design, and implement  food safety  and quality control measures  in the production, distribution and marketing of food of animal origin
• To have the ability to conduct survey and surveillance of foodborne infections and intoxications and design control measures.
• Be competent in teaching and research in veterinary public health

Admission requirements

• Masters of Science or Masters of Veterinary Science degree with thesis or one article published in international journal as a main author for those without thesis.
• Two years of experience in teaching and/or research or professional activities in the area of animal/public health services after masters.
• Priority will be given to candidates from teaching and research institutions.
• A candidate should submit a testimony of financial support or a letter of sponsorship from sponsoring organization

Duration of the program

• The duration of the program is three years for course work, research and dissertation defense. There is a possibility of extending the duration by one academic year upon a request by the student, which shall be approved by the research advisory committee, DGC and AC.
• The first year is dedicated for coursework, while the next 12-18 months are meant for research undertaking. The remaining 6-12 months are for presentation of a seminar on preliminary results, preparation of dissertation and dissertation defense. Elective courses shall be offered by AAU or any other partner university or a university elsewhere.

 

Course work

The candidate is required to take all core and common courses and at least one elective courses.

Course number	Course title	Credit Hours
		Semester I	Semester II
Year I
BMSC 801	Advance Biostatistics and Research Methods	3
BMSC 803	Philosophy and Ethics in Science	2
BMSC 802	Communication Skills and Pedagogy	2
MVPH-801	Advanced Food safety	3
MVPH-802	Advanced Food Microbiological Methods		3
MVPH-803	Emerging and Remerging Zoonoses		3
MVPH-804	Veterinary Drug residues (E)		2
MVPH-805	Environmental hygiene (E)		2
MVPH-806	Import/Export risk analysis (E)		2
MVPH-807	Dissertation Research Project Proposal		P/F
Total		10	8
Year II & III
MVPH-808	PhD Research and Thesis work	–	P*/F

P=pass, F=fail,* qualified as excellent, very good, good, satisfactory. E=elective

Research and community services

Thematic research Areas:

• Safety of food of animal origin: Assessment of bacterial quality of foods of animal origin;
• Explorations in epidemiology, ecology, genetics and drug resistance of salmonella and staphylococcus in livestock food chain and humans for intervention and future vaccine development.

 

Current number of graduate students

Enrolment	MSc in Vet. Microbiology		MSc in Vet Public Health		PhD in Vet Public Health	Remark
	Regular	Summer	Regular	Summer
Male	9	22	4	15	8
Female	5	3	7	2	2
Total	14	25	11	17	10

 

Academic staff profile at department level: Present status

Academic staff

By qualification

Status	BSc	DVM	BSc+MSC	DVM+MSc	PhD	Total
Fulltime	2(1*)	–	–	6	4(2*)	15
Expatriate	–	–	–	–	1	1
Total	3	–	–	6	7	16

* = staff to be employed soon.

By academic rank

Status	Tech.Asst.	Asst.Lecturer	Lecturer	Asst.Prof.	Assoc.Prof.	Prof.	Total
Fulltime	2(1*)	–	–	8(2*)	2	–	15
Expatriate	–	–	–	–	–	1	1
Total	3	–	–	10	2	1	16

* = staff to be employed soon.

 

Facilities for Academic purposes

• Staff offices on Post graduate building
• Immunology Laboratory
• Bacteriology laboratory
• Virology Laboratory
• Molecular Biology Laboratory (Core lab , Ethio-Belgian project)