SVEK13040U One Health International Summer Course

Volume 2023/2024
Content

The course is a collaboration between University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) promoting transdisciplinary approaches in the fields of health, food- and veterinary science, and associated applied technical and social sciences.
The course comprises two modules:
a) a 5 week e-learning module, and
b) a 1 1/2 week on-campus module in Copenhagen, Denmark.

One Health is a concept that acknowledges and aims to provide efficient solutions to the multifaceted global challenges to human, animal and environmental health through cross- disciplinary research, education and collaboration between relevant institutions and stakeholders. One Health not only implies involvement of different sciences, but is also an approach which encourages coordination, communication, data sharing and joint efforts between the involved parties. In many countries, this requires development of new ways of handling challenges such as food security and safety, emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial and drug resistance, climate change and different types of environmental pollutants. Denmark has a long tradition of using One Health approaches and is among the world leading in pursuing good solutions to several of these challenges. Therefore the collaboration between the two universities offers an outstanding environment for the course.

The One Health approach has gained world-wide renewed attention during the last years as a way to handle emerging infectious diseases, food safety and environmental health problems. This One Health International Summer Cource provides insight into and a critical overview of the methods used in the One Health approach by drawing on the successful Danish achievements characterized by widely cross-disciplinary collaboration between public authorities, public administrations, research bodies and industry sectors.

Learning Outcome

General course objectives: 

The aim of the course is to provide participants with a background for understanding the concepts of One Health and a thorough introduction to the challenges and opportunities related to the One Health approach. By mixing basic concepts and illustrative examples (e.g. zoonoses, drug resistance and chemical contaminants), the participants are introduced to epidemiology, source tracking, risk and disease burden assessments, intervention options, and cross-disciplinary prevention and control scenarios. Cross cutting issues such as critical thinking and risk communication will be included in all themes addressing health in relation to humans, animals and the environment. The acquired knowledge can be used to improve risk management decision making and facilitating solutions to the challenges.

 

Learning objectives: After the course, the participants will

Knowledge:

  • Understand the One Health concept and its cross-sectorial perspectives
  • Know and be able to describe One Health cases within various areas
  • Know of the main methods to analyse the impact on human and animal health issues related to microbial and chemical contamination
  • Know of the principles for prioritising intervention between different health issues
  • Know of the principles for identifying methods for prevention and control of infectious diseases, food safety threats, antimicrobial resistance and dietary health risks
  • Know of the advantages and challenges of applying One Health approaches in industry and public administrations

 

Skills:

  • Be able to apply various One Health methods to specific topics
  • Be able to discuss and respond to One Health issues
  • Be able to identify the roles, responsibilities and needs of key stakeholders in One Health challenges

 

Competences:

  • Be able to identify challenges that need One Health approaches to be solved or mitigated, and be able to contribute critically to the implementation of the One Health approach when needed.
  • Be a valuable collaborator to stakeholders in One Health challenges by being aware of the core competences that each participant brings into the One Health collaborative groups.

 

Will be partly provided and partly searched by the course participants during the course.

Completed BSc degree
Mandatory Prerequisites: The course is relevant for master- and PhD students and postgraduates (employees) in the public health, food, veterinary and environmental sectors.
Active participation in the e-learning module is a prerequisite for on-campus participation.
During the e-learning-part, course participants will get familiar with One Health topics through theory and reading material, exercises and practical examples. The e-learning will focus on introducing methods commonly applied to understand and manage One Health challenges. Participants will discuss the One Health challenges present in their own countries, and the course will be a good opportunity to expand professional networks. The e-learning module includes quizzes after each module and an interactive discussion forum.
On-campus learning is characterised by short introductions and in-depth discussions on one or more broad One Health topics. Participants will work in groups on selected cases, where the theory and acquired methods will be applied. Each group presents its results for the rest of participants as the basis for plenum discussions.
There will be social arrangements in the afternoon or evening depending on the course-participants’ interests and initiative.
As the target group span from Master students to postgraduates working e.g. in public health, food and/or veterinary science or administration as well as in the agricultural or food industry, there will be a balanced focus on knowledge sharing and theoretical and practical exercises and discussions.
The teachers and instructors can come from UCPH, DTU and other national and international institutions of higher education and research, or from relevant administrative bodies or industrial sectors with specific international One Health competences and experience.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 12
  • Preparation
  • 24
  • Theory exercises
  • 32
  • E-Learning
  • 70
  • Total
  • 138
Written
Oral
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Practical oral examination
Practical written examination
Type of assessment details
Practical oral examination (group-work presentations during the on-campus/second part of the course)
Practical written self-reflection assignment on the last day of the course.
Exam registration requirements

Active participation in group work and evaluation of the oral presentations.
Attendance in at least 80 percent of the course is required in order to get certificate.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Internal Censorship
Exam period

Final course day i.e. August 22th, 2024

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the grade passed, the student shall (in an adequate level) be able to:

Knowledge

  • Describe the One Health concept and its cross-sectorial perspectives
  • Describe One Health cases within various areas
  • Describe main methods to analyse the impact on human and animal health issues related to microbial and chemical contamination
  • Describe the principles for prioritising intervention between different health issues
  • Describe the principles for identifying methods for prevention and control of infectious diseases, food safety threats, antimicrobial resistance and chemical toxins in food
  • Describe the advantages and challenges of applying One Health approaches in industry and public administrations

 

Skills:

  • Apply various One Health methods to specific topics
  • Discuss and respond to One Health issues
  • Analyse and identify the roles, responsibilities and needs of key stakeholders in One Health challenges

 

Competences:

  • Be able to identify challenges that need One Health approaches to be solved or mitigated, and be able to contribute critically to the implementation of the One Health approach when needed
  • Be a valuable collaborator to stakeholders in One Health challenges by being aware of the core competences that each participant brings into the One Health collaborative groups