Study programme description

The learning objectives achieved in the study programme Food Hygiene, Level 3 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 8, the learning outcomes required are highly specialised knowledge, some of which is at the forefront of the field of work or study and underpins original and creative thinking and/or research; basic knowledge of all the related fields. The field requires solving problems in which many related factors are at work; learning is often highly specialised. The focus of the courses, the core knowledge and the required skills are described in detail in the syllabi of the compulsory courses. Additional knowledge is achieved by completing the other compulsory optional courses of the study programme. By completing the core courses, the graduate will gain knowledge about the importance of hygiene and quality of production of food of animal origin for their health safety. The students will acquire the latest methods of food production technology, while acquiring the latest scientific knowledge in the field of food production.

Graduates of the study programme Food Hygiene are qualified to Seminar the profession of a veterinary surgeon specialising in the hygiene, quality and health safety of produced food after completing the 3rd level of higher education. Graduates are proficient in scientific methods of research and development, focusing on the research in the field of hygiene and quality of food of animal and plant origin, development of food technology, laboratory diagnostic methods, development of food legislation, etc. The graduate can create and formulate new hypotheses, judgments and strategies to further develop the field they specialize in, evaluate theories, concepts and innovations, apply own findings resulting from theoretical analysis and own scientific research of complex and interdisciplinary nature, design, verify and implement new research and working procedures. The graduate employs critical, independent and analytical thinking, and is able to step up and draw up documents that would help the society move forward in terms of hygiene and quality of produced food. The graduate is able to present and publish his/her evidence-based research results to the professional and scientific community. The student is able to design, validate and implement new research and working methods, based on the results obtained, which are then presented and used in the application of new scientific and working practices. He/she is able to determine the focus of research and coordinate a team in the scientific field in research organisations, as well as to manage the solution of problems in food practice. In proportion to the impact of the issues studied, the need for professionals and the relevance of education in the field of specialisation of food hygiene increases.

Responsibility and autonomy, defined for EQF Level 8 are the ability to display considerable authority, innovation, independence, scientific and professional integrity and a sustained commitment to developing new ideas or practices that are at the forefront of a given work or learning environment, including research.

The graduate of the Food Hygiene programme is capable of independent, critical and analytical thinking. He/she takes into account social, scientific and ethical aspects when formulating research intentions and interpreting research results. The results of his/her own creative work contribute to the development of science, scientific knowledge and the application of acquired knowledge in practice. The graduate presents the results of research and development independently to the professional community, can determine the focus of research and coordinate a team in scientific investigation, independently design, validate and implement new research and working practices based on own outputs and findings.

1. Graduates of the study programme Food Hygiene, 3rd level can hold any position in the independent research in the field of production of safe and quality food, management of hygiene of food processing plants, as well as management of production technology in food processing companies. Graduates are prepared to work in accredited laboratories in the field of food analysis, as well as to provide consultancy in the field of hygiene of food production and sales.

Graduates of doctoral studies will also find employment in:

1. data-oriented organizations, statistical and information processes, correct setting of hygiene conditions and processing of raw materials of animal and plant origin,
2. management of food processing enterprises with a focus mainly on the hygiene of food production, evaluation of raw materials entering the production process and their impact on the quality of products of animal origin,
3. advice and oversigh in the field of hygiene of food production and sale, feed production, welfare compliance, advice and prevention of livestock diseases.

Relevant external interested parties who have provided a statement or a favourable opinion on the compliance of the acquired qualification with the sector-specific requirements of the profession: State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic.

1. On the basis of the previous long-term experience with the graduates of the study programme Food Hygiene, 3rd degree, we can state that graduates find employment mainly in the Slovak Academy of Sciences, as well as at workplaces of the State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic and also in the private sphere in the field of food production as well as consultancy in the field of hygiene of food production and sales. UVMP has drawn up questionnaires about graduates for employers.

Examples of successful graduates of the study programme Food Hygiene, 3rd degree are: Since 2008/2009 academic year, there have been no graduates in this study programme.

1. Employers' assessment of the quality of the study programme (feedback): The quality of the study programme can be positively assessed indirectly, on the basis of the interest in the study programme from graduates of universities from different fields (medical and pharmaceutical sciences, natural sciences and agricultural sciences). UVMP has prepared questionnaires about graduates for employers.

1. The rules for the formation of study plans in the study programme Food Hygiene are based on the general provisions contained in Article 2 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B.

• number of credits per core courses required for proper completion of the studies/completion of part of the study: 50
• number of credits for 2 selected compulsory optional courses required for proper completion of the study: 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: 30

Rules regarding student evaluation and the possibility of repeating exams: UVLF in Košice has described the rules regarding student evaluation and the possibility of repeating exams in Articles 17, 18 and 25 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B.

1. Conditions for the recognition of studies or part of studies: UVLF in Košice addresses the conditions for recognition of studies or parts of studies in Articles 19, 38 and 42 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, Part B.
2. Topics of the final theses of the study programme: Since the academic year 2008/2009 no dissertation topic has been announced in this study programme in the full-time form of study.

• the rules for assigning, processing, opposing, defending and evaluating final theses in Articles 25 - 27 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,
• Code of Academic Ethics in the internal regulation Disciplinary rules for Students of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice in the internal regulation UVLF Employee Code of Ethics and in the internal regulation UVLF Student Code of Ethics,
• 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.

Student representatives who represent the interests of students of the study programme (name and contact) - a member of the study programme Food Hygiene committee was a student of the study programme Miriam Sondorová, Mgr.; e-mail: miriam. sondorova@student.uvlf.sk.

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

All literary resources for study outlined in the syllabi are available either in print or electronic form, all information databases purchased and licensed by the university are widely available to students.

Description and scope of distance education in the study programme with per course. Access data, manuals of e-learning portals. Procedures for the transition from in-person to distance learning .

UVLF in Košice also provides distance learning for all courses via the MOODLE and MS Teams platforms. Each student can access manuals either in electronic form or in the form of video instructions .

For the purpose of practice, the following institutions and organisations are willing to provide a helping hand: the State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic, the Slovak Academy of Sciences and private companies in the food industry.

UVLF in Košice provides excellent conditions for the above .

Students of the Veterinary Nurse study programme are guaranteed the opportunity to participate in mobilities. The entire agenda containing instructions and conditions for applying for mobility, conditions and rules of participation as well as rules for recognizing mobility as part of the study plan is covered by the vice-rector for international relations and internationalization and the organizational unit managed by her - prof. MVDr. Zita Faixová, PhD., which is the UVLF Mobility Department. Participation in mobility and other aspects are regulated in Article 42 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B.

Admission procedures: they are laid down in Article 3a Article 4, Part B, Part II Organisation of Studies of the Internal Regulations of the Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice. The examination boards for admission examinations are at least 4-member and are appointed by the Rector on an ad hoc basis according to the focus of the study programmes to which students apply.

The students of UVMP in Košice can evaluate the quality of teaching anonymously through an anonymous questionnaire after graduation, where they evaluate the quality of a particular study programme and the quality of the lecturers who provide the course. Monitoring of study programmes is also continuously carried out by the coordinators of individual fields (5) of science and research 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 AYs and Annual Reports on the Quality of UVMP in Košice for individual AYs. They are also presented at the Teachers' Meeting, 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.

The feedback and measures to improve the quality of the study programme are part of the Annual Reports on the Educational Activity at UVLF in Košice for individual academic years and the Annual Reports on the Quality of UVLF in Košice for individual academic years. As part of the measures to improve the quality of the study programme, the vice-rector for education, study advisors and coordinators of individual fields of science and research step in and address the issues resulting from the feedback.