Veterinary - Dairy Herd Health
GradCert Dairy Herd Health
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 30)
This course draws on the experience gained by the UCD Dairy Herd Health Group in investigating many herd problems throughout Ireland. The programme will consist of modules in herd health skills, dairy herd fertility, nutrition and production disease, milk quality and mastitis, calf health and heifer rearing, and bio-secure/infectious diseases. The programme is designed for Irish conditions and production systems, and how Irish veterinarians deal with issues. It is expected that students will attend a number of face to face teaching days in Lyons research farm.
- Applicants must possess a degree in Veterinary medicine that is registerable with the Veterinary Council of Ireland (www.vci.ie).
- Applicants must have access to dairy farms and dairy farm data to complete relevant coursework such as farm reports.
- Applicants should have at least three years of relevant veterinary practice experience.
- Applicants must demonstrate a significant interest in dairy cattle practice.
Grad Cert Dairy Herd Health consists of modules in herd health skills, dairy herd fertility, nutrition and production disease, milk quality and mastitis, calf health and heifer rearing, and bio-secure/infectious diseases
- distance programme that is delivered on-line through the use of problem-based learning with current herd problems providing the necessary material.
- innovative online-learning activities coupled with hands on teaching of herd based clinical skills at the UCD Lyons Farm or the UCD Veterinary Hospital.
- practical sessions that will teach students a range of skills invaluable to cattle practitioners, for example body condition scoring, locomotion scoring, teat scoring, recent developments in reproductive ultrasonography for cattle.
Subjects taught
Each week students will be expected to contribute to a range of online-learning activities; this will require approximately 10-12 hours of work per week.
The learning activities will involve contributing to an online community to discuss relevant topics in the area of Dairy Herd Health e.g. providing examples of farm data, summaries of herd problems, accounts of successful or unsuccessful husbandry protocols (or other relevant information). The use of an online community discussion forum that will have a predetermined tutor input will assist in creating a truly innovative educational experience for participants. The use of problem based learning will ensure that participants are exposed to relevant case study material in an environment where their peer’s views and their own can be discussed to the benefit of all.
Finally, it is envisaged that some material will be taught by e-lectures, these will contain a synopsis of recent information of tried and tested protocols for herd investigations in all key areas that are used routinely by UCD Dairy Herd Health.
Entry requirements
Applicants must possess a degree in Veterinary medicine that is registerable with the Veterinary Council of Ireland (www.vci.ie). Applicants must have access to dairy farms and dairy farm data to complete relevant coursework such as farm reports.
Non-UCD Graduates must provide transcripts of degree(s).
International applicants must demonstrate proof of English proficiency.
If English is not your native language and unless you have completed your primary degree through English, an English language qualification is required (e.g. IELTS/TOEFL).
IELTS – an overall score of 6.0 IELTS (90-100 Internet Based)
TOEFL – 550 on the paper-based test TOEFL (213 on Computer Based)
An extensive induction to learning online will be provided, however applicants will also require:
1. Broadband Access
2. Access to a computer
3. Basic IT skills (e.g. the ability to browse the internet, use email and word processing applications etc.)
Application dates
How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
Grad Cert Dairy Herd Health Sep PT (X389)
Duration
18 Months
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised
Credits
30
Duration
18 months part-time. Mode of Delivery: Online.
Fees
GradCert Dairy Herd Health (X389) Part Time
EU Year 1 - € 3600
EU Year 2 - € 1190 aa
nonEU Year 1 - € 3600
nonEU Year 2 - € 1190 aa
aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2020 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2019/20
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
Enrolment dates
NEXT INTAKE: 2024/2025 September.