General study plan for postgraduate study in the subject of Pathobiology
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, SLU
Established by the Faculty Board 6/12/2008
Responsible department: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health
(BVF)
Superior ordinances and decisions:
Higher Education Ordinance (HF) (SFS 1993:100) (for the current version see:
http://www.hsv.se/sv/)
Admissions ordinance for postgraduate education at SLU, established by the Board 4/26/2007
(Dnr SLU ua 41-1482/07).
Guidelines for postgraduate education in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal
Science(Dnr SLU ua 40-2008/07).
Postgraduate education in the subject of pathobiology is offered with areas of specialisation in
immunology, food safety, microbiology, pathology and toxicology and pharmacology.
1. Objectives of the Education
For postgraduate education at SLU, the objectives established by the Vice-Chancellor on
10/30/1996 apply (Dnr 17.31-1940/96).
Study at the postgraduate level aims to give the student both general scientific training as well
as broader and more in-depth knowledge in the subject area, and will result in a licentiate or
doctoral degree. The licentiate degree may serve as an intermediate degree which may be
credited towards continued studies to a doctoral degree. The contents and scope of the
postgraduate study programme shall be adapted so that upon completion of the doctoral
degree, the student can perform independent research work and will fulfil the objectives of the
degree in the Higher Education Ordinance, Appendix 2.
The specialisation immunology comprises study of the construction and basic function of the
components of the immune system. Also included is the study of immune defence against
various micro-organisms, of various immune deficiencies, of the principles of preventative
immunity (vaccinations, etc.) as well as the role of the immune system in allergies and
autoimmune diseases. Finally, study of the immune system’s function in the defence against
tumours and rejection of organ transplants is included.
The specialisation food safety addresses conditions and changes in food, primarily based on
how these may affect humans’ health and well-being, as well as what measures can be taken
to prevent the onset of illness or other negative effects on humans. The subject comprises
among other things:
-Meat inspection and meat control
- General food hygiene including the production and composition of various foods as well
as the changes that take place during handling and storage
- Food-borne infections and intoxications, their ethiology, epidemiology, diagnostics and
contagion control
The specialisation microbiology comprises the study of bacteria, fungi, parasites (protozoans,
worms and arthropods) prion diseases and viruses and the biology of these organisms, and
how they interact with their host on an individual, organic, cellular and molecular level. The
subject also comprises diagnostics, epidemiology and control of these organisms and the
disease they cause.
The specialisation pathology consists of a general part and a special part. The general part is
comprised of the molecular, biochemical, functional and morphological aspects of diseases in
an organism’s liquids, cells, tissue and organs. The special part consists of the organ diseases’
ethiology, morphology and pathogenesis as well as the different organ illnesses’ effect on the
organism as a whole.
The specialisation toxicology and pharmacology is comprised of the study of the effects of
medications and other foreign substances’ effects on the living organism, both in vivo and in
vitro including pharmaco- and toxicokinetics, i.e. the absorption, distribution, metabolism and
excretion of various pharmaceuticals and xenobiotics.
2. Eligibility requirements
In order to be eligible for admission to postgraduate study, one must fulfil both the
requirements for general eligibility (HF Chap 7. § 39) and the requirements for special
eligibility (HF Chap 7. § 40).
The applicant’s language abilities in English are documented by Eng B in the national high
school program in English, or a passing score on a comparable international test (a score of
500 on the international TOEFL test or an average of 6.0 on the IELTS test).
For special eligibility, the applicant must have a veterinary degree or another degree in
biomedical or natural sciences with content relevant for the subject area. Applicants with a
different, comparable educational background may be determined to be eligible on a case-bycase basis by the head of the department in question.
3. Resources and supervision
Selection requirements that apply to admission to postgraduate studies can be found in Chap 7
of the regulations of the Higher Education Ordinance and in SLU’s admissions ordinance for
postgraduate studies (Dnr SLU ua 41-1482/07).
Admissions decisions are made by the Faculty after approval from the head of the department
in which the research student is to be enrolled and the in which the main supervisor is
employed.
4. Scope, contents and planning
4.1 Scope
The study programme for a doctoral degree corresponds to four years of full-time study (240
higher education credits). For a licentiate degree, the corresponding study time is two years
(120 higher education credits).
4.2 Contents
The programme of study normally contains two elements: scientific and coursework
Scientific work
The doctoral student shall conduct scientific work during his/her period of study, which is to
be presented in a doctoral thesis corresponding to at least 165 higher education credits. Three
to five composite papers shall be included in the doctoral thesis, at least two of which shall be
accepted for publication. All composite papers shall be of sufficient quality such that they
may be accepted for published in respected international peer-reviewed journals. The doctoral
student shall be the first author on at least half of the composite papers. The thesis shall be
written in the English language and be a so-called compilation thesis.
For the licentiate seminar, scientific work corresponding to at least 82.5 higher education
credits is required. Two composite papers shall be included and these shall be of sufficient
quality such that they could be accepted for publication in respected peer-reviewed journals.
Basic scientific training
The scope of the coursework for the doctoral degree shall be between 30 and 75 higher
education credits and shall consist of both appropriate basic courses and individually chosen
subject courses. The coursework should be included early on in the programme of study. The
scope and direction of the courses should be adapted to the student’s academic focus.
The basic courses which the doctoral student completes should provide basic knowledge and
insights into research ethics and methods as well as research information. Additionally, a
course in basic statistics and training in laboratory animal science should be included.
Further, the student shall follow the relevant international research through independent
literature study, and shall participate in seminar series. In addition, the student should
participate in seminars, guest lectures, symposia and other activities associated with his/her
scientific work.
4.3 Planning
An individual study plan for postgraduate study shall be worked out in consultation between
the supervisors and the doctoral student and shall be approved by the Faculty in connection
with admission. In the individual study plan, the supervisors shall work together with the
doctoral student to make an assessment of suitable coursework elements. The study plan shall
be revised yearly, and after half of the net study time has elapsed, a half-time follow-up shall
be conducted in accordance with the department’s rules that went into effect 2/22/2005.
5. Examination/Theoretical test
A public oral defence of the thesis shall take place and shall be judged by an examining
committee according to the guidelines set forth by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and
Animal Science.
The licentiate thesis shall be defended orally at a public seminar and approved by an
examining committee according to the guidelines set forth by the Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine and Animal Science.
The theoretical test for the licentiate and doctoral degree is implemented by the supervisor
and at times by the course leader in connection with courses and seminars. Scope (of credits)
of the various course elements is determined by the supervisor.
A passing score on the test and an approved thesis are required for the doctoral and licentiate
degrees. Grades assigned are passing and not passing.
6. Degree title
The degree shall be given a title which corresponds to the eligibility-granting degree held by
the student, such as veterinary doctor, doctor of philosophy, doctor of agriculture, doctor of
pharmacy, etc.
7. Supervision
For each research student there shall be appointed one main supervisor and at least one
assistant supervisor (supervisory group). The main supervisor shall have associate professor
competence and shall be employed or working as an adjunct professor at the department at
which the student is enrolled. The assistant supervisor shall have a doctoral degree. If needed,
more assistant supervisors may be added to the supervisory group.
The supervisors shall support the doctoral/licentiate student in both practical and theoretical
issues and continually follow and go through the progress of the work with the student. The
supervisors shall also help the student choose the proper literature and courses.
8. Further information
For further information, please contact the head of the department or the department’s director
of postgraduate studies.