This study area explores how infectious diseases emerge and spread across human, animal and environmental systems within a One Health framework. Students are introduced to key concepts in microbiology and epidemiology, including transmission pathways, host–pathogen interactions and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Through practical exercises and case studies, students learn to understand major transmission routes and how diseases are detected, monitored and controlled. The study area highlights how environmental change, climate and host–pathogen interactions—including the microbiome—influence disease emergence. Students also apply basic dynamic models to estimate key epidemiological parameters and evaluate control strategies, assess AMR risks and stewardship approaches across sectors, and critically interpret surveillance data and outbreak reports from a One Health perspective.
This study area focuses on hazards affecting the safety of food and water from source to consumption within a One Health framework. It examines microbial, chemical and physical risks, and introduces the role of surveillance systems, regulatory standards and preventive strategies in protecting public and environmental health.
Through applied examples, students learn to identify key food- and waterborne hazards, understand contamination pathways and assess associated health risks. The study area also explores how surveillance systems and preventive measures are implemented in practice, alongside relevant safety standards, policy frameworks and control approaches. In addition, students examine outbreak investigation, communication and response strategies from a multisectoral perspective.
This study area examines how human activities shape the health and well-being of animals, and how animal welfare, human welfare and ecosystem health are interconnected within a One Health framework. It introduces key principles of animal welfare science, including behavioural and physiological indicators, alongside human–animal interactions and ethical considerations.
Through applied examples, students learn to assess welfare in both domestic and wild species and to critically evaluate management practices that influence multispecies wellbeing. The study area also explores the ethical trade-offs required to balance human, animal and environmental health and welfare in complex real-world contexts.
This study area examines how environmental factors shape health across humans, animals and ecosystems within a One Health framework. It explores the impacts of climate change, pollution, land use and biodiversity loss, and introduces integrated approaches to surveillance, risk assessment and intervention.
Through applied examples, students learn how environmental changes influence multispecies and ecosystem health, identify key environmental hazards and interpret environmental health data. The study area also covers strategies to strengthen ecosystem resilience, including nature-based solutions that support biodiversity and health co-benefits. In addition, students analyse environmental surveillance data and explore prevention and intervention approaches that promote sustainability, ecosystem resilience and multispecies wellbeing.
This study area examines how social, cultural, political and economic contexts shape health across humans, animals and environments within a One Health framework. It explores the development of the One Health concept itself, alongside the historical and contemporary conditions in which health risks, care and interventions are understood and governed.
Through interdisciplinary perspectives—including anthropology, science and technology studies and social epidemiology—students learn how health risks and outcomes are shaped at human–animal–environment interfaces. The study area critically addresses ethical questions, power dynamics and inequalities in One Health research and practice, including whose knowledge counts in decision-making. Students also engage with qualitative approaches to understand lived experiences and evaluate interventions across diverse contexts, with attention to equity, ethics and multispecies perspectives.
This study area examines the governance and policy foundations that enable—or hinder—effective One Health action from local to global levels. It explores how institutions, legal frameworks, financing arrangements and coordination mechanisms bring together actors across human, animal and environmental sectors.
Through applied examples, students learn to map key governance actors and frameworks at European and global levels, and to understand how policies are developed, implemented and evaluated across sectors. The study area also addresses science-to-policy processes, policy coherence and the challenges of coordinating multisectoral action. Students develop skills to design feasible governance and financing approaches, and to communicate policy options to diverse stakeholders, with attention to ethics and equity.
This study area introduces the principles of public health and the role of health systems in promoting population health within a One Health context. It explores how health promotion and disease prevention are organised, and how public health systems respond to complex and evolving challenges such as emerging diseases, environmental change and health inequalities.
Through applied examples, students gain an overview of how public health interventions are designed and implemented across different contexts, and how health systems function at local, national and global levels. The study area also considers the coordination of services, preparedness and response capacities, and the role of multisectoral collaboration in addressing health challenges that span human, animal and environmental domains.
This study area explores how emerging technologies and digital tools support One Health approaches across human, animal and environmental domains. It introduces innovations used in surveillance, diagnostics and decision-making, and considers their role in addressing complex health challenges.
Through applied examples, students gain an overview of how data-driven and technological approaches can enhance early detection, monitoring and response to health risks. The study area also considers opportunities and limitations of new technologies, including data integration, implementation challenges and ethical considerations, in supporting effective and responsible One Health practice.