Study programme description

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

For level 8, the required learning outcomes are 'knowledge at the highest level in the field of work or field of study as well as at the interface between fields/fields'.

The carriers of the graduate's core knowledge are profile courses from the areas of livestock and pet animal breeding, toxicology, the environment in terms of its pollution, the impact of biological (microorganisms, parasites, pests), physical (radiation, noise, etc.) and chemical pollution on the individual components of the environment or ecosystems. The focus of the courses, the core knowledge and the required skills are described in detail in the information sheets of the compulsory courses. Additional knowledge is achieved by completing compulsory optional courses from related fields of study - analysis of contaminants, microbiology in animal hygiene and in individual environmental components including waste. Other complementary courses are environmental parasitology, ecotoxicology and ecoproduction of forages and feedstuffs. By studying the above compulsory and compulsory optional courses, the student should acquire a superstructural professional overview of the impact of negative factors (biological, physical and chemical) on the health of animals and their healthy breeding (including bees), on all components of the environment, learn about the fate of chemical substances in the environment, acquire methods of assessing biological, physical and chemical risks to animals and ecosystems and the environment as a whole.

The graduate acquires extensive professional knowledge in several areas of the study programme or field of study, which is used as a basis for research and development in the field of animal and environmental hygiene. It focuses on acquiring the latest theoretical knowledge and new scientific methods and practical skills based on the current state of scientific knowledge in individual areas of animal and environmental hygiene.

Its studies build on the knowledge acquired through second-level studies at veterinary and medical faculties (universities), as well as at pharmaceutical, natural sciences, and other faculties of medicine and natural sciences. On this basis, the principles of education in the 3rd stage are based on the acquisition of knowledge in the areas of livestock and pet animal husbandry, toxicology, the environment from the point of view of its protection, the impact of biological (microorganisms, parasites, pests), physical (radiation, noise, etc.) and chemical pollution on the individual components of the environment or ecosystems. Particular attention is paid to knowledge in the field of zoohygiene (hygiene of animal husbandry), toxicology, ecotoxicology, radiobiology, animal welfare, veterinary ethology, the production of quality or safe feed and fodder and the system of organic farming. It also focuses on the acquisition of the latest knowledge in the study of investigative, analytical, mathematical and statistical methods applied in scientific work and in the assessment of the risk of physical, biological and chemical factors on animals and the environment.

For level 8, the most 'advanced and specialised skills and techniques, including the ability to synthesise and evaluate, are 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 Animal Hygiene and Environment is qualified to perform highly qualified activities in state administration, research, veterinary care, environmental protection, organisation of organic agriculture, organisation of ecological and health-safe breeding of domestic and wild animals as well as bees. Graduates focused on the field of animal and environmental hygiene will improve their predisposition and are able to perform at the highest level, among other things, expert activities and act as specialists or highly educated experts studying the issues of environmental protection, animal breeding and health, quality and health safety of food, feed, organic farming and veterinary medicines, etc.

The focus of the professional profiling of the graduate of the School of Animal Hygiene and Environment is the orientation to master the functions of public veterinary medicine or expert in theoretical-cognitive, methodological and political-practical level. On the basis of the knowledge of theoretical possibilities, practical skills, methodological skills, graduates will be able to solve existing problems in the field of protection and recovery of the environment, in the field of healthy ecological animal husbandry with minimal impact on the environment, to minimize the negative impacts of animal husbandry while promoting its benefits on the environment, to assess and minimize the risks of physical, biological and chemical factors at the current level of scientific knowledge.

The graduate is able to formulate scientific problems (experimental, health, legal, environmental, ethical and other social aspects) to carry out creative and independent research in his/her field and independently present the results of his/her work in internationally accepted journals or present them at scientific events. The results of creative work not only contribute to the development of science and scientific knowledge, but their appropriate scientific value enables their application in human and veterinary medicine and agriculture.

1. The graduate of the study programme Animal Hygiene and Environment can apply as an expert in basic and applied research of the relevant focus, in state administration bodies, in the department of agriculture and environment.

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: State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic.

1. On the basis of previous long experience with graduates of the study programme Animal Hygiene and Environment, it can be stated that graduates find employment in the State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic, in the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons of the Slovak Republic, in universities where veterinary disciplines are taught, in research/diagnostic institutes where diagnostic methods in veterinary medicine and toxicology are implemented. It will also find application in laboratories of the Departments of Agriculture and Environment.

Examples of successful graduates of the Animal Hygiene and Environment programme are: In the academic years evaluated, there were no successful graduates in this study programme in the external form of study.

Employers' evaluation of the quality of the study programme (feedback): UVMP has prepared questionnaires about graduates for employers.

1. The rules for the formation of study plans in the study programme Animal Hygiene and Environment are based on the general provisions contained in Article 8 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B.
2. The recommended framework study plan for doctoral students for the part-time form of study is given in Table 1.

Table 1 Framework curriculum for PhD students in the part-time form of study in the study programme Animal Hygiene and Environment

Explanatory notes: S - examination, S - state examination, Z - credit

Compulsory elective courses (the postgraduate student chooses a total of 2 compulsory eoptional courses based on the focus of the dissertation) from the following courses:

1. Analysis of contaminants in food and feed
2. Microbiology in animal hygiene and the environment
3. Waste from agricultural and food production
4. Environmental parasitology
5. Ecotoxicology
6. Eco-production of fodder and forage

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 24 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 specified 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 number of credits, the achievement of which is a condition for the proper completion of studies and other conditions that must be fulfilled by the student in the course of study of the study programme and for its proper completion, including the conditions of state examinations, the rules for repeating studies and the rules for extending, interrupting studies:

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.

1. 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 full 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: 30

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:

Since the academic year 2008/2009 no dissertation topic has been announced in this study programme in the external form of study.

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 was a student of veterinary medicine Marek Ratvay, DVM e-mail: marek.ratvay@student.uvlf; Teodora Blatníková, DVM e-mail: teodora.blatnikova@student.uvlf.sk; Pavel Gomulec, DVM e-mail: pavel.gomulec@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: 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.

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 technology, 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 the educational activities of the study programme and characteristics of their participation: not the case

1. Characteristics on social, sporting, cultural, spiritual and social opportunities:

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

Students of the Animal Hygiene and Environment study programme are guaranteed the opportunity to participate in mobility. The whole agenda of the guidelines and conditions for applying for mobility, the conditions and rules for participation as well as the rules for 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 fulfilled. Participation in mobility and other contexts are regulated in Article 42 of the Internal Regulations of the Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B.

They are laid down in Article 1 and Article 2, Part B, Part II Organisation of Studies of the Internal Regulations of the Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice.

They are laid down in Article 3 and Article 4, Part B, Part II Organisation of Studies of the Internal Regulations of the Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice. 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.

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.