Applications are hereby invited from suitable candidates for admission to the Master of Science course in One Health Analytical Epidemiology at the University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine for the academic year 2011/2012. The deadline for this call for applications is 15th August, 2011. Successful candidates will be informed by 30th August, 2011 and will be expected to be ready to embark on studies on 19th September, 2011.

About the course
The aim of the course is to equip scientists with skills in analytical epidemiology for efficient prevention and control of human, animal and zoonotic diseases. One Health is a scientific concept, whose mission is to establish closer professional interactions, collaborations, and educational opportunities across the veterinary and medical professions, together with their allied sciences, in order to improve public health and animal health. It also encompasses inter-sectoral collaboration in disease surveillance, epidemic disease preparedness and response as well as development of enabling policy platforms, across the human, animal and eco-health sectors.

This course has been designed to train  a new generation of world class scientists who will serve to address the heavy burden and threat of emerging infectious diseases in Africa that greatly hamper public health and animal health and thus socio-economic development of developing countries. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with the UK’s London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London, together with institutions under the umbrella of the  Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS). The course is offered by the School of Veterinary Medicine in close collaboration with the School of Medicine of the University of Zambia and benefits from support from other SACIDS consortium universities in Southern Africa as well as the LSHTM, RVC and other internationally reputable institutions.

Minimum admission qualifications:
The following shall be eligible for registration for the MSc One Health Analytical Epidemiology degree programme:

• Graduates with a degree from any recognised University in the field of biological science, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine/Science and any other related field of study.
• Graduates in health related fields of study such as statistics, demography, food science and public health may apply provided they are graduates from a recognised University.
• The minimum requirement for medical and veterinary candidates is a first degree with at least B grade in Epidemiology, Statistics or Community Medicine. Applicants must also have obtained a minimum grade of B in A-level mathematics.
• Medical and veterinary graduates with at least one (1) year of related medical or veterinary experience will have an added advantage.
• Graduates from Biological Sciences must have at least a Merit grade and those with at least two (2) years of post-qualifying experience will have an added advantage.
• Candidates wishing to pursue any specific course(s) under this programme may be considered, and will be awarded a certificate upon successful completion. Such students shall not be eligible for the award of the MSc. in One Health Analytical Epidemiology.
• In general, rules and regulations prescribed by the Directorate of Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Zambia shall apply (http://www.unza.zm)

APPLICATION FORMS
Application forms can be obtained from the Directorate of Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Zambia or downloaded from our web sites www.unza.zm. Such duly-filled forms, including a CV, copies of degree certificate, transcripts of results and references can be returned physically or mailed to the undersigned not later than 15th August 2011 together with a money order of ZMK150,000.00 (USD 32) for applicants from SADC countries or USD 60 for applicants from non-SADC countries.

The application fees can also be deposited in the following account
Name: Postgraduate
Name of Bank: Standard Chartered Bank Main Branch, Lusaka
Account Number: 0100110272200

Applications should be addressed to:
The Director
Directorate of Research and Postgraduate Studies
University of Zambia
P. O. Box 32379
Lusaka, Zambia.

Through funds from the Wellcome Trust, SACIDS has funds to sponsor a limited number of candidates from SADC member countries. The sponsorship will include travel, tuition fees, accommodation, and subsistence allowance.

NB: Only candidates who have been offered university admission will be considered for sponsorship by SACIDS.

THE COURSE IN DEPTH

About the sponsor
SACIDS is a One Health consortium of southern African academic and research institutions involved with infectious diseases of humans and animals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania. Initially this programme is funded through a Wellcome Trust African Institutions Initiative Grant to the SACIDS, and UK institutions coordinated by the London International Development Centre (LIDC).

Further Information
For further information, please contact:
The Course Coordinator
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: +260 968808511
Website: www.unza.zm/
Address:Department of Disease Control
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Zambia
P.O Box 32379,
Lusaka


Secretariat email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.sacids.org

Please ensure that your email is titled Application One Health Analytical Epidemiology Course and contains all necessary documentation