SFKM10195U Animal Health Economics

Volume 2013/2014
Education
Master's Programme in Veterinary Public Health - compulsory
Content
Part 1 gives an introduction to the basic principles in economics and their applications with focus on topics like:
What is economics about? Animal Health Economics in a veterinary context – the physical transformation process; Measuring the effect of disease on human welfare; Who gains and who loses from animal disease control?

This part continues with focus on application of economic principles such as:
- An overview of modelling approaches in animal health economics
- From data to decision making in animal health economics
- Partial budgeting, gross margin analysis and decision tree analysis
- Benefit cost analysis
- Examples of case studies with emphasis on decisions at herd and national level

Part 2 is conducted as distance learning (internet) during eight weeks with focus on elements from Part 1 with individual and group assignments. During these weeks, the participants will work on different aspects of animal health economics in relation to specific case studies (e.g. disease outbreak of Bluetongue or Classical Swine Fever).
Learning Outcome
The goals of the course are to provide knowledge on basic theoretical and applied animal health economics. The course gives qualifications to apply the decision support necessary to evaluate economic effects of different methods and strategies for disease control in animal production systems.
At the end of the course, it is expected that the participant can do the following:

Knowledge:
- define, identify and describe links between economics and disease outbreaks in farm animals
- understand basic economic principles relevant for quantifying costs of disease control
- state advantages and disadvantages of alternative control strategies from an economic viewpoint

Skills:
- analyse the economic impact of animal disease
- argue from an economic viewpoint for specific disease control strategies to farmers, veterinary practitioners, official veterinarians, the industry and to the public

Competences:
- collaborate scientifically and administratively with economists on evaluation of the economic impact of a disease outbreak
- participate in the development and planning of economic approaches to disease control
- take responsibility and participate in choosing among alternative disease control strategies from an economic point of view
Literature
Selected papers and teaching notes.
A BSc or MSc degree in veterinary medicine, human medicine, agricultural sciences, engineering or natural science is required - and at least two years of relevant professional experience. If you wish to attend single courses, the above mentioned requirements can be deviated. Good English language skills are required.
The participants is recommended to have completed Veterinary Epidemiology part 1 (SFKM10189U) or Statistics for Veterinarians (SHSM13004)
Participants are provided with introductory literature to read before the course. During Part 1 of the course, lectures and exercises are given. Participants work individually and in groups on theoretical and practical exercises, with emphasis on understanding basic principles and practical applications.
During Part 2, the e-learning period, participants will work individually and in groups on topics introduced in Part 1, and relevant teacher support will be provided throughout.
Part 1 is given on Frederiksberg Campus with lectures and exercises on basic and applied topics.
Part 2 is conducted as distance learning (internet) with e-tivities on theoretical and applied topics.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 24
  • Lectures
  • 37,5
  • Practical exercises
  • 121
  • Theory exercises
  • 37,5
  • Total
  • 220,0
Credit
8 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Written examination, 24 hours
Examination questions are uploaded on the e-learning homepage and answers must be returned electronically within 24 hours. You can use all resources at your disposal to answer the questions, but you must submit your own individual answers. Group answers are not accepted.
Weight: The final examination counts 50 % of the final mark. Activities prior to the examination count 50 % of the final mark.
Exam registration requirements
Participation in the course and successfully complete 75 % of the course assignments prior to the final exam.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
Knowledge:
- define, identify and describe links between economics and disease outbreaks in farm animals
- understand basic economic principles relevant for quantifying costs of disease control
- state advantages and disadvantages of alternative control strategies from an economic viewpoint

Skills:
- analyse the economic impact of animal disease
- argue from an economic viewpoint for specific disease control strategies to farmers, veterinary practitioners, official veterinarians, the industry and to the public

Competences:
- collaborate scientifically and administratively with economists on evaluation of the economic impact of a disease outbreak
- participate in the development and planning of economic approaches to disease control
- take responsibility and participate in choosing among alternative disease control strategies from an economic point of view