Master of Science in One Health

Executive Summary

The Master of Science in One Health is developed in response to the interconnected health challenges facing Somalia, where human health, livestock production, and environmental conditions are closely linked. In many regions of the country, recurrent droughts and floods, livestock diseases, zoonotic outbreaks, and limited coordination between sectors continue to affect livelihoods, food security, and public health outcomes. These challenges are further intensified by weak surveillance systems and a shortage of professionals trained to work in veterinary, public health, and environmental disciplines.

This program builds on existing university training in veterinary medicine, public health, and environmental studies by introducing a more integrated and applied approach to health problems.

It emphasizes field-based epidemiology, disease surveillance, risk analysis, and collaborative decision-making that reflects Somalia’s pastoral and agro-pastoral realities.

The aim is to equip graduates with the practical skills needed to support national institutions, strengthen One Health coordination, and contribute to sustainable solutions that improve both community well-being and the resilience of Somalia’s livestock-dependent economy.

Strategic Focus Domains

1. Theoretical Mastery & Academic Foundation
   Students develop an interdisciplinary foundation in veterinary, public health, environmental, agricultural, and social sciences, focusing on the links between human, animal, and ecosystem health. The curriculum covers key One Health areas such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, climate risks, food systems, and the social and governance factors shaping health outcomes.
2. Methodological & Analytical Implementation
   Students gain practical training in research design, field epidemiology, and data collection across human, animal, and environmental health systems. They develop competence in analytical tools such as R, SPSS, STATA, and GIS for statistical analysis and spatial mapping of disease patterns and risk factors. The training is complemented by exposure to field diagnostics and digital surveillance systems, enabling students to analyze complex datasets and translate findings into evidence-based solutions for real-world health challenges.

III. Research Integrity & Professional Leadership
The program promotes strong academic integrity and ethical research practice, with emphasis on scientific writing, proper citation, and originality in scholarly work. Students are guided through structured thesis development and defense preparation and are actively encouraged to publish their research in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Alongside research training, the program builds leadership and professional skills for multidisciplinary collaboration, policy engagement, and evidence-based decision-making within One Health systems.

Candidate Profile & Career Pathway

This postgraduate curriculum is strategically curated for dedicated academics, sector practitioners, and organizational executives who seek to drive institutional capacity building. Upon the successful defense of their original thesis, graduates transition dynamically into the following high-level sectors:

[Government] — [e.g., Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, Ministry of Agriculture, National Institute of Health (NIH), Public Health Emergency Centers, and Federal Member States]

[UN & Multilateral Agencies] — [e.g., World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)]

[Humanitarian & NGO Implementers] — [e.g., Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), International Rescue Committee (IRC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Save the Children, World Vision International

 [Research &Development Institutions] — [e.g International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), EcoHealth Alliance, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH)]

Curricular Roadmap & Academic Milestones

Academic Term	Code	Course Title / Module Name	Credits	Classification
First Semester	[OH-000]	Introduction of One Health	[3]	Core Requirement
	[OH-000]	Zoonotic Diseases	[3]	Core Requirement
	[OH-000]	Principles of Epidemiology	[3]	Core Requirement
Second Semester	[OH-000]	Biostatistics and Research Methods	[3]	Core Requirement
	[OH-000]	Emerging and re-emerging diseases	[3]	Program Elective
	[OH-000]	Environmental Health	[3]	Faculty Core
Third Semester	[OH-000]	Global Health and International Health Regulation	[3]	Specialization
	[OH-000]	Food safety	[3]	Faculty Core
	[OH-000]	One Health Economics	[3]	Specialization
	[OH-000]	One Health field practical	[6]	Specialization
	[OH-000]	Thesis Proposal & Seminar Defense	[3]	Research Pillar
Fourth Semester	[THES-000]	Postgraduate Thesis & Viva Voce	[9]	Degree Milestone