Food Regulatory Affairs - Veterinary Public Health VPH

MSc Food Regulatory Affairs VPH
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

MSc Food Regulatory Affairs (Veterinary Public Health VPH) covers the regulation of the entire food chain from "farm to fork".

This part-time programme provides postgraduate training in Food Regulatory Affairs together with a specialism in Veterinary Public Health (VPH) and is particularly designed for veterinarians employed in the food sector who wish to develop their career in this field.

The programme is entirely distance taught and Internet delivered.

European and global experts in veterinary and food science, law, economics, and policy contribute to the programme

The awards are granted jointly between Ulster University (UK), and University College Dublin.

Applications are direclty with University of Ulster. Queries on Application and Entry Requirements should be directed to University Ulster

Vision and Values Statement
Food Regulatory Affairs is an interdisciplinary subject area - integrating science, law and food/health policy as applied to the regulation of the entire food chain from pre-harvest to the consumer. International perspectives on Food Regulatory Affairs have become increasingly important, particularly since the formation of the World Trade Organisation and the international acceptance of Codex Alimentarius standards. This MSc programme in Food Regulatory Affairs (Veterinary Public Health) is designed to provide postgraduate training in for individuals who wish to pursue a career or are currently employed in the food sector, regulatory agencies, government departments, and trade organisations. The programme provides students with broad knowledge and understanding of food regulatory affairs and promotes their ability to assess available evidence and data, make sound judgements and communicate findings effectively to all stakeholders in the food chain – producers, regulators, industry and consumers. Relevant EU food regulatory policy is integrated within the lectures and translated into a coherent regulatory framework so that students will grasp the complex idea of total regulation of the food chain from primary production through to consumer health issues. The programme is entirely Internet delivered and are offered on a part-time and full-time basis. Core material will be delivered through lectures and online discussions and tutorials, complemented by group tutorials, case study oriented problem based exercises, private study and module assignments. Structured coursework will assess outcomes and facilitate learning and the integration of knowledge and will include including problem solving, case studies, critical reviews, preparation of presentations and preparation of briefing documents and a research project dissertation. The award is granted jointly between the University of Ulster (UK), and University College Dublin (IRL), in association with University College Cork (IRL). European and global experts in science, law, economics, and policy contribute to the courses.

Programme Outcomes
-Acquire, organise, critically analyse, interpret and present information relating to issues in Food Regulatory Affairs- Veterinary Public Health

-Apply the principles of scientific enquiry to design, plan and undertake a hypothesis driven research project in Veterinary Public Health

-Demonstrate at professional level an ability to communicate scientific information related to peers, colleagues and others as appropriate

-Display an advanced knowledge of the application of key food regulatory principles to public health

-Have a critical awareness of principles relating to scientific integrity and ethical issues in food regulatory affairs - Veterinary Public Health

-Integrate knowledge of key principles underlying the modern risk based, food chain approach to food regulation

-Think independently, evaluate and reflect, set tasks and select appropriate and reasoned approaches to solve problems and construct and defend reasoned conclusions

-Use the principles of scientific inquiry including evidence-based practice, audit and evaluation to research a particular Food Regulatory- Veterinary Public Health issue that merits a detailed investigation

-Utilize library, computer and other resources to acquire, apply and disseminate scientific knowledge in reports, presentations, and coursework

-Present competent scientific report suitable for submission to a relevant peer-reviewed journal, prepared in a format required for (i) a review article and(11) an original research paper in Veterinary Public Health

Queries on Application and Entry Requirements should be directed to University of Ulster.

How to apply?
Queries on Application and Entry Requirements should be directed to University of Ulster

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

2 Years Part-Time

Careers & Employability
There are excellent job prospects for graduates in food and projections for graduates in this discipline are extremely positive. At a time when the importance of the link between food and regulation is becoming increasingly evident, this programme will provide graduates with the skills necessary to function in technical, advisory and management roles in the food industry, public sector and regulatory agencies. Within the food industry graduates will work in areas such food regulatory affairs, food labelling, product development and innovation, research and development, technical sales, product quality enhancement, with the distinct advantage of bringing a regulatory perspective to each of these roles.