Approved by the Council of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences on 22 May 2009

Confirmed by Resolution No. 20 of the Council of the Estonian University of Life Sciences of 28 May 2009

Estonian University of Life Sciences Curriculum title (in Estonian) Veterinaarmeditsiin ja toiduteadus (80134) (in English) Veterinary Medicine and Food Science Broad group of studies: agriculture Field of study: veterinary medicine Level of study: PhD study Volume in credits (ECTS): 240 ECTS Nominal duration of study: 4 years Curriculum accreditation: accredited Languages of teaching: Estonian and English Admission requirements: Veterinarians diploma, Masters degree or qualification equivalent thereto. General objectives of curriculum: The training of researchers and teaching staff competent in Veterinary Medicine and Food Science and associated areas. Graduates of Veterinary Medicine are qualified to hold veterinary inspection positions and executive positions in governmental Food Safety agencies or in foodstuffs businesses, be employed as top clinical diagnostics specialists at veterinary and food laboratories and as top Animal Health and Biotechnology specialists in agricultural and biotechnology enterprises. Graduates of Food Science are qualified to work as top Foodstuffs Technology and Biotechnology specialists and Product Development specialists in the business sector, as top Food Science specialists in research and analytical food laboratories and in training companies.

Learning outcomes of the curriculum (knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired from studies): A graduate of the PhD curriculum of Veterinary Medicine and Food Science: 1. in the areas of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Biomedicine, Food Hygiene and Food Science (according to the research topic), acquires the skills and methods for the effective performance of research, including is able to identify and establish problems in research planning, demonstrates original, independent and critical thinking, implements the principles of effective project management, has thorough knowledge in the area of Veterinary Medicine and Food Science and deep and up-to-date knowledge in his/her narrower area of research, is familiar with the research methods of his/her speciality and is able to modify

 2. 3. 4.

5.

them as appropriate; can critically assess, analyse and prepare research results. knows the research environment, including understands the context of research in the field of Veterinary Medicine and Food Science both on local and international levels, can associate the different areas within Veterinary Medicine and Food Science with other close areas of research and uses the interdisciplinary approach; understands the social importance of research in the field of Veterinary Medicine and Food Science; considers researcher ethics; is familiar with the process of the financing and evaluation of research and the process of the academic or commercial use of research results, including the questions regarding intellectual property. knows and develops the skills of personal efficacy and team work, including is able to identify his/her needs for new knowledge or skills and find suitable solutions for the acquisition thereof; is open and develops cooperation connections in the field of Veterinary Medicine and Food Science both in the home university and in the broader research community in Estonia and abroad. develops personal communication skills, is able to ask oral and written questions regarding Veterinary Medicine and Food Science and personal research from an audience of experts and also when communicating with people outside the speciality, is able to present arguments and participate in discussions regarding Veterinary Medicine and Food Science both in the mother language and in the specialtyspecific foreign language, including publish original research results in international peer-reviewed scientific journals; contributes to the popularisation of his/her speciality; is capable of conveying knowledge by way of teaching and supervising students. is committed to continuous professional self-development, sets realistic goals, is familiar with career opportunities both inside and outside the academic sphere; is able to transfer the research skills regarding Veterinary Medicine and Food Science beyond the research environment

Brief description of curriculum; structure of curriculum; learning outcomes of modules: PhD study comprises doctoral studies (60 ECTS) and the doctoral thesis (180 ECTS). Doctoral studies comprise: 1. Basic study (18 ECTS). The objective is to advance the knowledge of research methodology and pedagogy. Learning outcomes: - the doctoral student is familiar with the principal theoretical approaches, problems and arguments of research philosophy, and is able to analyse questions of research philosophy regarding his/her speciality, - knows the local and international research environment, orients in the principal

issues of research policy, research management and financing, and is able to prepare an application for research project funding, knows the basic rules of scientific writing, is able to write clearly, strategically and with authority in various formats, orients in legislation regarding intellectual property and copyright, knows and implements modern study and evaluation methods, is able to supervise the study, research and practical work of students, is familiar with the basic methods of statistical analysis relevant in his/her research work.

2. Speciality study (3745 ECTS). The objective is to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for individual scientific creative work, for communication and professional development, and for the publication and presentation of research results. More detailed knowledge within the curriculum is given in a speciality subject that enables narrower specialisation. Learning outcomes: the doctoral student has thorough knowledge in the area of Veterinary Medicine and Food Science and deep and up-to-date knowledge in his/her narrower area of research, knows modern research methods and techniques regarding Veterinary Medicine and Food Science and is familiar with the research environment is able to critically evaluate, analyse, prepare and present research results both in the mother language and in the speciality-specific foreign language; is familiar with the possibilities of practical implementation of knowledge accumulated through research in the area of Veterinary Medicine and Food Science; implements the principles of effective project management; is able to act in international work and study environment and develops speciality-specific cooperation connections at home and abroad; sets goals for professional self-development; is capable of conveying knowledge by way of teaching and supervision. 3. Electives (up to 5 ECTS) are chosen by the doctoral student from among the courses offered in EM, another university or the Doctoral School. Learning outcomes: the doctoral student has knowledge in the areas related to his/her narrower speciality and research area, and is able to associate them with his/her own speciality; is able to identify his/her needs for new knowledge or skills. 4. The doctoral thesis (180 ECTS) aims at the acquisition of the ability of individual research work through planning, the collection and processing of data, and the publication of results and conclusions. The doctoral thesis is an individual research or development work, presenting an original solution for a significant problem in a specific area of science or life. The doctoral thesis may be either 1) an independent work printed as a dissertation; 2) a series of publications presented with a summarising overview article; 3) a monograph published in print. Learning outcomes: - is competent in the independent planning, organisation and performance of

scientific research, is capable of the interpretation, statistical processing, analysis, comparison and presentation of research results, is capable of publishing the research results in leading internationally distributed publications of his/her speciality, is capable of discussion over the received results, and explanation of his/her views on the basis of speciality-specific knowledge.

Degree awarded: (in Estonian) Filosoofiadoktor (in English) Doctor of Philosophy; PhD VETERINARY MEDICINE AND FOOD SCIENCE PhD program (80134) Code Subject BASIC STUDY Philosophy of science Methodology of research Academic writing and presentation Copyright and legal protection of intellectual property Pedagogy of higher education Practice learning in university teaching Mathematical statistics and modelling SPECIALITY STUDY Presentations at international science conferences Presentations at practical science conferences and doctoral seminars Speciality subject (one of the following subjects can be choosed): Animal reproduction Animal health, welfare and behaviour Infectious diseases Food technology, hygiene and quality volume ECTS 18 3 2 2 1 3 2 5 3745 315 515

DK.0001 DK.0002 DK.0003 DK.0004 DK.0005 DK.0006 DK.0007

DK.0009 DK.0010

VL.0001 VL.0002 VL.0003 VL.0004

18 18 18 18

ELECTIVES Study in total Doctoral thesis TOTAL

kuni 5 60 180 240