SHSM13003U Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Analysis of Animal Health and Food Safety

Volume 2013/2014
Education
Master's Programme in Veterinary Public Health - compulsory
Content
Part 1 focuses on
- introduction to relevant guidelines and agreements and the difference between these (e.g. SPS-agreement, Codes alimentarius)
- introduction to surveillance concepts and different purposes of surveillance
- introduction to the three main elements of Risk Analysis (Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Risk communication)
- principles of risk assessment methods: Hazard identification, framing the question, drawing risk pathways, release assessment, exposure assessment, consequence assessment, epidemiology of the disease, evaluation of available data, uncertainty vs. variability, objectivity and transparency of models, types of risk estimates
- introduction to principles of quantitative risk assessment methodology including probability and probability deistributions, principles of probabilistic analysis including uncertainty and variability
- risk management: e.g. principles, required level of protection, risk mitigation, management in relation to animal health and food safety, risk management in international trade and traceability
- risk communication: credibility of communicating with decision makers and stakeholders
- application of risk analysis

Part 2 focuses on elements from Part 1 and with individual and group assignments. During these weeks the participants will work on different aspects of risk analysis in relatoin to specific case studies.
Learning Outcome
Upon completion of the course the participant should have qualifications to:

Knowledge:
- understand the concept of risk
- describe surveillance and control scenarios where risk estimates are used 
- define and describe potential animal health and food safety risks at the animal, farm, regional, national and international level
- chose among methods for risk assessment
- understand the type of uncertainties that are implicit in risk assessment and how to deal with these
- understand the principles of and differences between risk assessment, risk communication and risk management

Skills:
- phrase the appropriate risk question
- identify the hazard
- draw relevant risk pathways
- participate in the analysis of data and provide relevant information as input for risk assessment
- communicate risk estimates / levels of risk to decision makers

Comptences:
- collaborate scientifically and administratively with stakeholders/parties involved in all elements of risk analysis
- take responsibility and make decisions in the disease control process 
- and be prepared for changing decison when needed.
Literature
Handbook on Import Risk Analysis for Animals and Animal Products: Introduction and qualitative risk analysis. Vol. 1, 2nd ed. 2010. Published by OIE.
Selected papers and course 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.
It is recommended the participant has 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 on basic and applied topics 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 theoretical and applied topics introduced in Part 1, and relevant teacher support will be provided throughout
Part 1 is on Frederiksberg Campus.
Part 2 is conducted as distance learning (internet).
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 24
  • Lectures
  • 15
  • Practical exercises
  • 83,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 15
  • Total
  • 137,5
Credit
5 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 final examination count 50 % of the final mark.
Exam registration requirements
Participation in the whole 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:
- understand the concept of risk
- describe surveillance and control scenarios where risk estimates are used 
- define and describe potential animal health and food safety risks at the animal, farm, regional, national and international level
- chose among methods for risk assessment
- understand the type of uncertainties that are implicit in risk assessment and how to deal with these
- understand the principles of and differences between risk assessment, risk communication and risk management

Skills:
- phrase the appropriate risk question
- identify the hazard
- draw relevant risk pathways
- participate in the analysis of data and provide relevant information as input for risk assessment
- communicate risk estimates / levels of risk to decision makers

Comptences:
- collaborate scientifically and administratively with stakeholders/parties involved in all elements of risk analysis
- take responsibility and make decisions in the disease control process 
- and be prepared for changing decison when needed.