Conservation medicine is an emerging discipline that involves the integration of veterinary science, conservation biology and public health. This course will help to you to advance biodiversity conservation; address issues associated with the interrelationships between human, animal and ecosystem health; and study the effects of global environmental change on these health interrelationships. There is increasing recognition that veterinarians have an important role to play within interdisciplinary teams working on environmental conservation projects.

In this course, you’ll gain an understanding of the fundamental issues associated with conservation medicine. Issues such as wildlife management, habitat protection, and sustainable development.  You’ll also be trained to deal with sick and injured wild fauna, which could be presented for examination and treatment to veterinarians in private practice. 

You can choose to complete the course entirely through coursework or select a placement with a conservation project either in Australia or overseas.

4 reasons to study Master of Veterinary Studies in Conservation Medicine at Murdoch

• Network and gain practical skills through placement programs with wildlife conservation projects nationally and internationally.
• Specialise your degree depending on your career goals by choosing from a wide range of electives.
• All units are offered completely online, allowing you to upskill while you are working.
• Study on your own terms with flexible full or part-time study.

Develop your skills

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:

• understanding of the challenges and complexity of conservation medicine
• familiarity of wildlife conservation strategies
• ethical capture, restraint and diagnostic sampling of wildlife
• differences between domestic animal medicine and wildlife medicine
• wildlife pathology.

Graduates can pursue interests in wildlife and conservation medicine. Wildlife agencies, zoos, agricultural departments and other non-governmental organisations require veterinary expertise for endangered species recovery and conservation programs. This training will also be relevant to graduates seeking to incorporate wildlife and exotic animal medicine into private practice.

Professional recognition

The Australian Veterinary Association recognises veterinary graduate study as fulfilling requirements towards required professional development (Continuing Veterinary Education).