Study programme description

The learning objectives achieved in the study programme Animal Parasitic Diseases are methodologically based on the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF). This defines the requirements for learning outcomes for knowledge, skills and competences.

For Level 3, a broad knowledge of the field of work or field of study, including scholarly and pedagogical work and a critical understanding of theories and principles, are required as learning outcomes. The full-time doctoral study programme defines the prescribed course structure and course offerings, on the basis of which the doctoral student, in cooperation with his/her supervisor, develops his/her individual study plan and completes the enrolment form in the AIS. The content of the doctoral studies is determined by the supervisor in the form of an individual study plan. The study plan shall be drawn up on a uniform form within one month after the start of the studies, specific to the topic of the doctoral thesis, and approved by the person responsible for the implementation, development and quality assurance of the study programme. The study plan shall be supplemented by the basic methodology of the dissertation. The methodology, which shall be drawn up by the doctoral candidate in collaboration with his/her supervisor within three months of starting the studies, shall include in particular the state of the art of the course, the basic scientific, social and implementation objectives and the timetable for experimental activities. The doctoral student's study plan consists of a study part, which ends with the dissertation examination, a scientific part and the defence of the dissertation. Individual courses in the study part and activities in the scientific part are assigned credits (ECTS, Art. 10, Credit System). The study part represents 1/3 of the study programme. It focuses on the acquisition of in-depth theoretical knowledge and the acquisition of a methodological system supported by knowledge of selected courses. The doctoral candidate's individual study plan includes a list of courses, including a specialist foreign language, to be taken by the doctoral candidate, a list of dissertation examination courses selected from a list approved by the third cycle study programme committee, and a list of required and recommended literature to be studied by the doctoral candidate as part of his/her individual preparation for the dissertation examination. The compulsory courses are prescribed to the student on the basis of the requirements for the graduate profile of the field of study. The compulsory and compulsory optional courses are chosen by the student from the offer of courses of the study programme (Catalogue of compulsory and compulsory optional courses for the third cycle of higher education) in accordance with the topic of the dissertation and supplemented with the required number of credits. Completion of the courses is usually completed by examination. By completing the compulsory courses, the doctoral student will acquire knowledge in the field of helminthology, parasitology of bees and wildlife, protozoology and parasitozoonoses. By completing the compulsory optional courses, the graduate will acquire general knowledge of parasitology, including parasitic diseases of fish, arachnoentomology and molecular parasitology, where the graduate will acquire knowledge of the molecular properties and genomics of parasites. In the context of disease processes, it has knowledge of investigative diagnostic methods of parasitoses; it has scientific knowledge of parasitic diseases of companion animals with emphasis on zoonoses as classified by the OIE and WHO; the graduate is also able to navigate pathological processes and recognize clinical signs of parasitoses; he/she is proficient in the management of veterinary care of patients and clients and is proficient in laboratory techniques and scientific methods; he/she is proficient in the management of the administration of therapy for individual diseases; he/she is proficient in preventive veterinary health programs for different species of animals acquired scientific knowledge, knowledge and skills in the field of parasitology. It follows that the graduate will acquire the advanced and specialised skills and techniques, including the ability to synthesise and evaluate, required to solve fundamental problems in research and/or innovation and to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practices.

The graduate of the study programme of parasitic diseases of animals is qualified to work in various professional spheres of society (professional activities for private veterinarians, professional activities for diagnostic laboratories, specialized scientific workplaces of the Slovak Academy of Sciences), in the performance of epidemiological and epidemiological activities in the protection of the health of animals and humans, as well as in the prevention of parasitic diseases and the protection of the environment. The scientific part represents 2/3 of the study programme. It is carried out systematically by independent and team scientific research activities focused on the topic of the dissertation. An integral part of the study is the active participation of the student in conferences, seminars and his/her publishing activity. The individual study plan of the doctoral student includes the topic of the dissertation, which may be modified by the supervisor in the doctoral student's enrolment letter after the approval of the chairman of the third-degree study programme committee and the UVMP management in the period before the dissertation examination. By completing the profile courses, the graduate will acquire skills that will enable him/her to master the practical skills and scientific knowledge necessary to implement and complete scientific methods, including laboratory diagnostic methods in the instrumentation of individual workplaces. He/she will have the skills necessary to collect biological samples and perform laboratory methodological procedures in the field of parasitology. The broadly defined competencies for this level are - the ability to manage complex technical or professional activities or projects, to take responsibility for decision making in an unpredictable work or study environment, to accept responsibility for scientific work and for publishing the results of scientific objectives in national and international journals, and to manage the professional development of individuals and groups. The specific competences will be related to the employment status of the Level 3 graduate.

The graduate is characterised by the ability to display considerable authority, innovation, autonomy, scholarly and professional integrity, and a sustained commitment to developing new ideas or practices that are at the forefront of a given work or study environment, including research, as well as independent, critical and analytical thinking. Considers social, scientific and ethical considerations in the formulation of research objectives and the interpretation of research results. Contributes to the development of science, scientific knowledge and the application of acquired knowledge to practice through the results of his/her own creative work. He/she presents the results of research and development independently to the professional community. Is able to determine the focus of research and coordinate a team in the relevant study programme. Can independently design, validate and implement new research and working practices based on their outputs and findings

1. Graduates of the study programme Parasitic animal diseases can apply as assistant in veterinary practice, in the pedagogical process of universities of natural and medical sciences, in animal protection organizations, as a researcher in veterinary and pharmaceutical practice, for veterinary publishing, as an expert in parasitic animal diseases, as a laboratory supervisor for investigative methods for animals and humans, as a consultant in animal husbandry and in zoos, etc.

Relevant external stakeholders who have provided a statement or a favourable opinion on the compliance of the acquired qualification with the sector-specific requirements for the exercise of the profession: Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

1. The applicability of graduates of the 3rd degree of the study programme parasitic diseases of animals is high, especially in the pedagogical process of universities of medical or natural sciences, in the field of agriculture, in diagnostic laboratories in science and research departments of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Slovak State Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Society.

Examples of successful graduates of the study programme parasitic diseases of animals: There have been no graduates so far in the full-time study programme parasitic diseases of animals offered in English.

Employers' evaluation of the quality of the study programme (feedback): Employers' evaluation of the quality of the study programme (feedback): Employers' evaluation of the quality of the study programme (feedback): However, the quality of the study programme can be positively evaluated indirectly on the basis of the interest of graduates of the second cycle of higher education from different areas (medical and pharmaceutical sciences, natural sciences and agricultural sciences) in this study programme. UVMP has prepared questionnaires about graduates for employers.

1. The rules for the formation of study plans in the study programme of parasitic diseases of animals are based on the general provisions contained in No. 8 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B.
2. The recommended framework study plan for full-time doctoral students is presented in Table 1.

Table 1 Framework study plan for PhD students in the part-time form of study in the study programme parasitic diseases of animals

Explanatory notes: S - exam, SŠ - state exam, Z - credit

Compulsory optional courses (the doctoral student chooses a total of 2 compulsory optional courses based on the focus of the dissertation) from the following courses:

1. General parasitology
2. Arachnoentomology
3. Molecular parasitology
4. Pathological anatomy

The dissertation examination may be taken by a student who has achieved 50 credits for five PPs and at least 10 credits for two selected PVPs during the study period, no later than 36 months from the start of the doctoral studies. A minimum of 240 credits is required for graduation.

1. The study plan includes:

• listed individual parts of the study programme (in the structure of profile and compulsory optional courses),
• Allocate credits to each section based on the learning outcomes achieved
  and the associated workload,
• the listed locations of the course (if the study programme is carried out at more than one location),
• in the course information sheet for each educational part (course) are/is:
• defined learning outcomes and related criteria and rules for their assessment so that all the learning objectives of the study programme are met,
• set out the learning activities used that are appropriate to achieving the learning outcomes,
• the methods by which the educational activity is carried out,
• the designated course guarantor as well as other persons providing teaching of the course,
• the outline of the course (topics),
• the student's stated workload.

1. The condition for the proper completion of studies is the acquisition of 240 credits, which include credits for passing the dissertation examination and defending the dissertation. Other conditions that the student must fulfil during the study programme and for its proper completion, including the conditions of state examinations, rules for repeating the study and rules for extension, interruption of the study are specified in Articles 2, 15, 18, 19 and 29 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, Part B.
2. The conditions for completing the individual parts of the study programme and the student's progress
   in the study programme in the structure:

• Number of credits for profile (compulsory) courses required for the proper completion of studies/completion of part of studies: 50
• Number of credits for compulsory optional courses required for the proper completion of studies/completion of part of studies: 10,
• number of credits for the dissertation examination: 20
• number of credits for the defence of the final thesis required for proper completion of studies: 25

1. Rules for the verification of learning outcomes and the assessment of students and the possibility of corrective procedures against this assessment:

UVMP in Košice has described the rules for the verification of learning outcomes and evaluation of students and the possibilities of corrective procedures against this evaluation in Articles 17, 18 and 25 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, Part B.

1. Conditions for the recognition of studies or part of studies:

UVMP in Košice has regulated the conditions for recognition of studies or part of studies in Articles 19, 38 and 42 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, Part B.

1. Topics of the final theses of the study programme:

UVMP in Košice annually publishes a list of topics of the final theses in study programme parasitic diseases of animals in a table overview as well as on the UVMP in Košice website.

In the study programme parasitic diseases of animals provided in the English language in the full-time form of study, no doctoral student has studied so far, and no topic has been announced in this study programme, form and language version.

1. UVMP in Košice has described:

• the rules for assigning, processing, opposing, defending and evaluating final theses in Articles 1, 8, 9, 10, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B,
• possibilities and procedures for participation in student mobility in Article 42 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, Part B,
• rules of observing academic ethics and drawing consequences in the internal regulation Disciplinary Regulations for Students of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, in the internal regulation Code of Ethics of UVMP Employees and in the internal regulation Code of Ethics of UVMP Students,
• procedures applicable to students with special needs in Part II, Article 2, point 7; Article 3, point 12 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B,
• the procedures for filing complaints and appeals by the student are specified, in addition to the Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, in particular in the internal regulation Directive on the handling of complaints at UVMP in Košice.

The member of the committee for the preparation of the study programme of infectious animal diseases was a student of the study programme of general veterinary medicine Mgr. Miriam Sondorova; e-mail miriam.sondorova@student.uvlf.sk.

Study programme advisor: vice-rector for research and doctoral studies at UVMP in Košice

1. Other study programme support staff - assigned study officer: Mgr. Júlia Jančura, e-mail julia.jancura@uvlf.sk; career advisor: the function of the career advisor is performed by the doctoral student's supervisor.

1. Characteristics of information provision of the study programme (access to study literature according to course information sheets), access to information databases and other information resources, information technologies, etc.):

All literary resources for study listed in the fact sheets are available in either print or electronic form, and all information databases purchased and licensed by the University are accessible to students.

1. Characteristics and scope of distance learning applied in the curriculum with assignment to courses. Approaches, manuals of e-learning portals. Procedures for transition from full-time to distance learning.

UVMP in Košice has also distance learning for all courses, which is currently provided through MOODLE and MS Teams platforms. Each student has manuals available either in electronic form or in the form of a video tutorial.

Partners of the university in the provision of educational activities of the study programme and characteristics of their participation: the SAV and the ŠVPS SR.

1. Characteristics of social, sporting, cultural, spiritual and community opportunities:

UVMP in Košice provides students with the maximum possible conditions for their enjoyment in the above areas.

Students of the study programme in parasitic diseases of animals are guaranteed the opportunity to participate in mobility. The whole agenda containing the guidelines and conditions for applying for mobility, the conditions and rules of participation as well as the rules of recognition of participation in mobility as part of the study plan is covered by the Vice-Rector for International Relations and Internationalisation and the organisational unit managed by her, which is the UVMP Mobility Office. The whole process requires coordination with the supervisor, and is recommended after the study part of the study plan has been completed. Participation in mobility and other contexts are regulated in Article 41 of the Internal Regulations of the Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B.

They are laid down in Article 1 of the Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B, II. Part Organisation of studies.

Admission procedures: are laid down in Article 3 of the Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, Part B, II. Part Organisation of studies. Examination boards for admission examinations are at least 4 members and are appointed by the Rector on an ad hoc basis according to the study programmes to which students apply.

1. Procedures for monitoring and evaluating students' views on the quality of the study programme:

The students of UVMP in Košice have the possibility of anonymous evaluation of the quality of teaching through an anonymous questionnaire after graduation, where they evaluate the quality of a particular study programme and the quality of the instructors who provide the course. Monitoring of study programmes is also continuously carried out by the coordinators of individual domains of science and research at UVMP, while 5 domains of science and research are established at UVMP.

The results of the evaluation of doctoral studies are part of the Annual Reports on Scientific and Research Activities at UVMP in Košice for individual ARs and Annual Reports on the Quality of UVMP in Košice for individual ARs. They are also presented at the Teachers' Forum, which is held at the beginning of each academic year. In general, the principle that the results of the feedback are very important for drawing conclusions from the evaluations, which are implemented into concrete measures implemented with the aim of improving the quality of the study programme in its entire breadth and depth.

The results of alumni feedback and related measures to improve the quality of the study programme are part of the Annual Reports on Scientific and Research Activities at UVMP in Košice for individual AR and Annual Reports on the Quality of UVMP in Košice for individual AR. The Vice-Rector for Science, Research and Doctoral Studies and the coordinators of the individual domains of science and research act within the framework of measures to improve the quality of the study programme by personally entering into the solution of the problems arising from the results of the feedback.