Curriculum in the MCM Program

This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as it relates to the one health paradigm and veterinary health. This course is designed for novice GIS students with specific focus on mapping and spatial analysis for human, animal, and environmental health applications. Examples include vulnerability analyses of animal habitats, monitoring disease outbreaks for public health, calculating deforestation and land cover change, site analysis for alternative energy sources, and many more. Technical topics to be covered include GIS data discovery; GPS field data collection; data structure and management; principles of cartographic visualization and design; and basic overlay tools, analysis and modeling. Classes will consist of both a lecture segment and an in-class activity/demonstration. Students will complete weekly tutorials or project assignments and conclude the semester with a final mapping/analysis project of their choosing.

The concept that the health of the environment influences the health of humans and animals means that all students must understand fundamental principles of ecology and conservation biology. We review the foundational knowledge of how biodiversity and ecosystems foster healthy human and animal populations, through an understanding of population, community, and landscape ecology, and ecosystem resilience and stability. The conservation biology themes of rarity, demography, conservation genetics, and methods of conserving small populations are presented with the focus on sustaining long-term population viability. Students explore these concepts and apply knowledge through class discussion and presentations of case studies of current issues in the field. Students will be evaluated based on class participation (including presentation of selected topics, participating in and leading directed discussions), weekly written assignments based on readings and one final project (poster).

A basic and broad understanding of and fluency with human, animal and environmental health and disease is critical in conservation medicine. This class will review disease drivers and mechanisms, host defenses against disease, the role of vectors in spreading and maintaining disease, and basic principles of disease ecology. This class will review some current diseases of major concern for conservation medicine and ecosystem health. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of animal, human, and environmental health, and the environmental, economic, and anthropogenic factors promoting the emergence or persistence of infectious diseases and other major health threats. Students will be evaluated based on class participation (including presentation of selected topics, participating in and leading directed discussions), quizzes, and one written assignment.

In this course students will learn how to access, organize, analyze, interpret, and communicate data from existing sources of published primary research. Students will learn the process of conducting and writing a literature review on a conservation medicine topic. Students will be evaluated based on their individual active class participation in discussions, presentations, and group work.

The course will review biostatistics in the context of understanding and critiquing methods and results in published papers and using statistical software with an emphasis on applications in infectious disease and/or population health.

Conservation medicine practice requires empirical health assessments of individuals and populations. Through this course students will become familiar with commonly used field and laboratory methods used to study populations and to assess health. Through field experiences students will be introduced to methods for estimating the size, distributions, and movements of populations for a range of taxa including mammals, birds and aquatic vertebrates. Animal handling and safety, sample collection and analysis, permitting, and field project planning are covered through both practical experience and lecture material.  Students will participate in practical laboratory sessions using common research and diagnostics techniques including pathology, immunology, microbiology, molecular genetics, and parasitology. Students will be evaluated based on class participation, and one group report and presentation at the conclusion of the course

Journal Club will familiarize students with topical scientific articles relevant to conservation medicine, help students become conversant in the language of different contributing disciplines and enhance analytical reading and critique skills. Journal articles will be coordinated with course material. Students take Journal Club in both the Fall and Spring semesters.

Each student will undertake an intensive, year-long Case Study project to comprehensively analyze a challenging conservation medicine problem. The Case Study will culminate in a capstone project presentation and written report assessing the problem and recommending strategies to address identified challenges. Based on their own knowledge, skills and interests, each student will identify a relevant issue and be charged with synthesizing information and ideas from their coursework throughout the year and from a collaborative team involving appropriate faculty both within the University and through our network of conservation medicine partners. Completed Case Study reports will be evaluated by project partners and Tufts mentors. Students register for the Case Study each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer), complete their comprehensive written report during the summer, and present their Case Study in a special campus seminar in September of their graduating year.

Students are required to select one or more elective courses to augment the core curriculum and fulfill their own educational and professional goals. Students may choose from a wide variety of courses offered across the University, including the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, Fletcher School, Medical School, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine including the Center for Animals and Public Policy. With proper arrangements and limitations, courses can also be taken from the Boston area consortium schools - Boston University, Boston College, and Brandeis. Selections must fit within the scheduled time allotted to complete these electives. Courses available for electives vary by semester and year.

Fall Elective Courses Offered through the MCM Program

MCM 1013 Conservation Translocations: From Reintroductions to Rewilding – 1.0 credit, early fall

This course will introduce students to the science and practice of conservation translocations. We’ll explore the many forms that translocations can take, from reintroductions of endangered species, to rewilding efforts aimed at restoring ecosystem function, to assisted colonizations designed to protect species from climate change and other threats. Each week, we will dive deep into the applied management strategies employed by translocation experts while grounding these strategies in their underlying scientific principles. We will draw upon the field of decision science to learn how to navigate the complex ecological and social challenges inherent to translocations. By the end of the semester, we will have investigated a diverse set of case studies demonstrating the broad applicability of translocations across taxa and their growing necessity for biodiversity conservation worldwide.

MCM 1008 Participatory & Community Approaches in Epidemiology Research, Disease Surveillance and Health Service – 1.0 credit, late fall

This course is designed to be a practical introduction to epidemiological and service delivery methodologies that stress participation and community ownership. The course will combine a minimal amount of introductory lecture with in-class participatory learning exercises and discussion. The course will first look at the underlying concepts of participation and community-based development. Thereafter, the sessions will focus on specific methods and students will be asked to complete a group project using these skills. The group projects will consist of participatory assessments conducted within the University community on a health-related theme. The course will close with sessions on community-based health care and the policy and institutional frameworks required for sustainable community-based programs. At the end of the course, students should be adequately prepared to conduct a mentored summer research project in participatory epidemiology.

Human political, economic, and cultural considerations help create the conditions that govern animal, human, and environmental health, and establish the context in which conservation medicine solutions are implemented. This course will examine the roles of economics, local, national and international governmental regulations, treaties and policies. It will also explore the influences that communities and local culture have on agriculture, trade, conservation, environment, land use, and public health.

An understanding of epidemiology and surveillance methods is integral for collecting, analyzing, and presenting health and disease data. Fundamental concepts of epidemiology will be presented including study design, disease outbreak investigation, and sources of error. Surveillance methods and systems will be discussed with opportunities for students to practice the design, evaluation, analysis, and integration of surveillance systems in a conservation medicine context. This course will highlight and develop student skills in various web-based technologies for data capture, analysis, and visualization.

This course will cover important communication skills that will enhance collaboration and dissemination of information to stakeholders (scientific community, public and government agencies) as well as the practical skills needed to initiate, fund, and manage research projects. Style and strategies for publication in scientific and lay journals, delivery of legislative briefings, and use of other media will be explored. Project development topics will include team building, seeking funders, grant writing, project development and management, and program and policy evaluation. Sessions on collaborative writing, data visualization, team management and leadership will be included. Course exercises and final presentations will be based upon case study research projects.

See Fall semester for description.

See Fall semester for description

Spring Elective Courses Offered through the MCM Program

MCM 1010 Chiropteran Health – 1.50 credits, spring

One Health is an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment (definition by the CDC). Under the One Health working and teaching frame, this selective will explore the interrelationships between bat health, human health, and ecosystem health. The student will learn about the taxonomy, anatomy, physiology of bats, population monitoring approaches and technologies, threats to bat populations and human/bat conflict mitigation. Numerous guest lecturers, consisting of conservationists, rehabilitators and wildlife scientists, will share their expert knowledge and give the student insight on real-life bat work. If allowed, field trips to zoological institutions housing chiropterans will be organized. The students will be exposed to on-campus population monitoring efforts and species identification.

MCM 1011 Drones for Field Data Collection, Mapping & Analysis – 1.50 credits, spring

This course covers the foundations of drone technology and provides students with skills to manage, plan and execute manual and autonomous flight operations. Students will learn US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations to fly drones legally in the United States. The course focuses on safe and efficient collection and processing of aerial imagery for analysis and distribution in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students will also develop sufficient understanding to consider drone technology use in multiple applications including conservation medicine, agriculture, natural and cultural resources management, emergency response, and many more.

MCM 1012 Storytelling for Conservation – 1.0 credit, spring

What makes a compelling conservation story? How does a story take seed and spread? This course will explore the ways in which storytelling tools can help wildlife conservationists and animal advocates in their efforts to educate, persuade others, and create lasting results. We’ll look at examples of great storytelling (in literature, film, social media, art, and photography) that has changed minds and influenced conservation and animal policies. We’ll examine the role of storytelling in other cultures and as a way to bridge differences between social groups. We will explore new graphics and digital tools for communicating conservation messages. Over the semester, we’ll discuss books, study visual arts, explore social media, and watch films, looking at a wide array of conservation issues, tools, and messages. Several expert storytellers will join us as guest speakers. A final storytelling project, using the tools we have examined, will be developed and presented by student teams.

See Fall semester for description

Students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in conservation medicine work in their choice of a wide variety of settings for four weeks during the program year. Externships will provide students with insight into how conservation medicine issues are addressed and how interdisciplinary approaches can be applied in a real-world setting. Students can participate in field, clinical, analytical, laboratory, project management, policy or other experiences of their choosing that meet elective requirement and are approved by the Program Director or Assistant Director. Externships will be completed preferably during the winter break, though completion during the summer can be accommodated with permission, depending upon the opportunity.