Current Course Offerings for the Veterinary Homeland Security Graduate Certificate Program

Registration Deadlines
Summer registration is now open.
June 9 - Summer session begins

VCS 640 Introduction to Veterinary Homeland Security
VCS 644 High Consequence Disease Review: Swine
VCS 646 High Consequence Disease Review: Avian
VCS 647 High Consequence Disease Review: Zoonotic
VCS 648 Defining the Threat
VCS 649 Understanding the Response
VCS 651 Biosecurity for veterinary responders
VCS 653 Veterinarian's Role in Community Planning
VCS 657 Crime Scene Management
VCS 659 Business Continuity Management

For more information on this program follow This Link.

VCS 640 Introduction to Veterinary Homeland Security (1.0 Credit)

Introduction to Veterinary Homeland Security is a distance learning course presenting introductory material on a variety of topics in veterinary homeland security. Topics include the threat and impact of agroterrorism, government and veterinarian roles in animal health emergencies and community planning, foreign animal/zoonotic/food borne disease surveillance and early detection, radiological/chemical events, field epidemiology, and biosecurity for emergency responders. A distance laboratory module in which students become certified at the 100 level in Incident Command Training is required.

Lecture Topics:

  • Food production in the global environment, Dr. Marianne Ash, Director of Biosecurity and Preparedness Planning, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
  • Hurricane Katrina- responding to companion animal needs in an emergency, Dr. Sandra Norman, Director of Companion Animal and Equine, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
  • Agricultural-Foodborne Bioterrorism, Colonel Donald Noah, Department of Defense Liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Disasters & Business Continuity for Vets and their Clients, Dr. Daniel Wilson, Emergency Programs Division, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • High Consequence Disease Overview, Dr. William White, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island.
  • Rabies, Dr. Simon Kenyon, Associate Professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University
  • Foot and Mouth Disease, Dr. Simon Kenyon
  • Exotic swine diseases- Are you prepared? Are you ready?, Dr. Sandra Amass, Associate Director Purdue Homeland Security Institute
  • Zoonotic Diseases, Dr. Marc Mattix, Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Asst. Chief, US Army Vet Corps.
  • Food and waterborne diseases, Dr. Marc Mattix
  • The response, where do you fit in, Dr. Don Otto, USDA/APHIS
  • Community Planning for Agricultural emergencies, Denise Derrer, Dr. Jen Greiner, Steve Nichols, Indiana State Board of Animal Health/ Purdue University Extension
  • Chemical Events, Dr. Tam Garland, Program Manager for Agricultural Security Manager for Joint Agro Defense Office, Department of Homeland Security
  • Radiological Events, Dr. Marianne Ash
  • Principles of outbreak investigation, Dr. Sandra Amass
  • GIS applications, Dr. Marianne Ash
  • Biosecurity for emergency responders, Dr. Sandra Amass
  • Influenza, Dr. Marc Mattix

VCS 644 High Consequence Disease Review: Swine (0.5 Credit)

A didactic course presenting etiology, transmission, clinical signs, lesions, diagnostic methods and differential diagnoses for high consequence diseases that affect pigs. Actual cases will be included when available.

Lecture Topics:

  • Pork Industry Overview, Dr. Paul Sundberg, Vice President of Science and Technology, National Pork Board
  • African Swine Fever, Dr. Richard French
  • Classical Swine Fever, Dr. Samia Metwally, Head of Diagnostic Services Section of the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, USDA / Aphis
  • Swine Vesicular Disease and Vesicular Exanthema of Swine, Dr. Thomas McKenna
  • Brucella suis, Dr. David Schmitt, Acting State Veterinarian, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
  • Porcine Teschoviral Polioencephalomyelitis, Dr. Gregory Stevenson, Head of Pathology of the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University
  • Trichinella, Dr. David Pyburn, Staff Veterinarian with the USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services (VS), National Center for Animal Health Programs
  • Swine Diseases in Malaysia, Dr. Raymond Choo Pow Yoon, Private Practice in Malaysia

VCS 646 High Consequence Disease Review: Avian (1.5 Credits)

A didactic course presenting a review of the avian industry; and, etiology, transmission, clinical signs, lesions, diagnostic methods and differential diagnoses for high consequence diseases that affect birds. Actual cases will be included when available.

Lecture Topics:

  • Breeders, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Turkeys, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Game birds, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Broilers, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Layers, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Layer flock management, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Biosecurity: backyard poultry and egg production, Jim Combs, DVM, Field Veterinarian, District 7, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
  • Indiana poultry industry and avian influenza surveillance, Paul Brennan, Executive Vice President, Indiana State Poultry Association
  • Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Michael Kopp, DVM, Director of Avian Health, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
  • Case management of suspect avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection in humans, Tom Chester, MD, MPH, Career Epidemiology Field Officer, Indiana State Department of Health
  • Animal health emergencies: Avian influenza (H5N1), Marianne Ash, DVM, DACVPM, Director of Biosecurity and Preparedness Planning, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
  • Avian infectious bronchitis, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Avian infectious laryngotracheitis, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Duck viral hepatitis and Duck viral enteritis, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Infectious bursal disease (Gumboro disease), Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Fowl pox, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Exotic Newcastle disease, Leon Thacker, DVM, PhD, Director, Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Fowl cholera, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Avian tuberculosis, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Salmonella (typhoid and pullorum), Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Marek's disease, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Avian mycoplasmosis, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Avian chlamydiosis, Pat Wakenell, DVM, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Population Health & Reproduction, UC Davis
  • Chicken necropsy, Tsang Long Lin, DVM, PhD, Head of Avian and Aquatic Section, Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Professor of Veterinary Pathology, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, and Donna Schrader, Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

VCS 647 High Consequence Disease Review: Zoonotic (1.0 Credit)

A didactic course presenting etiology, transmission, clinical signs, lesions, diagnostic methods and differential diagnoses for high consequence diseases that affect both animals and people. Actual cases will be included when available.

Lecture Topics:

  • Rift Valley Fever, Dr. Samia Metwally, USDA/APHIS/VS/NVSL/FADDL and Dr. Kebba Daffeh, Epidemiologist, PACE Gambia, Department of Livestock Services, The Gambia
  • Rabies, Dr. Jim Howell, Indiana State Department of Health and Dr. Alfinus Gazali, Veterinary Pathologist, Disease Investigation Center, Maros, Indonesia
  • Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Dr. Ron DeHaven, Administrator, USDA/APHIS
  • Equine Encephalitides, Dr. Peter Fernandez, USDA/APHIS/IS/FAS/USEU
  • Nipah Virus Outbreak, Col Mike Bunning, USAF, National Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC
  • Comments on Nipah and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Malaysia, Dr. Wan Mohd. Kamil b. Dato' Wan Nik, Veterinary Officer, Department of Veterinary Services, Perak State
  • Monkeypox, Dr. Ingeborg Langohr, Purdue University
  • Anthrax, Dr. Barbara Bielska, Arnett Clinic, Infectious Diseases Department and Dr. Simon Kenyon, Purdue University
  • Baylisascaris and Echinococcus, Dr. Kevin Kazacos, Purdue University
  • Staphylococcal Infection, Dr. Willis Tacker, Jr. Purdue University
  • Lyme Disease, Dr. Emily Morin
  • Plague, Col. Marc Mattix, Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Asst. Chief, US Army Vet Corps.
  • Hantavirus, Dr. Todd Damrow, State Epidemiologist with the Montana Department of Public Health
  • West Nile Virus, Dr. Michel Levy, Purdue University
  • SARS, Dr. Todd Damrow
  • Leptospirosis, Dr. George Moore, Purdue University
  • MRSA in Animals, Dr. Sandra Amass
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis, Dr. Sandra Norman, Director of Companion Animal and Equine, Indiana State Board of Animal Health

VCS 648 Defining the Threat (0.5 Credit)

A didactic course defining the threat of terrorism to livestock, companion animal, and public health. Course content will include threat assessments, profiles of terrorist groups, specific threats, impact of threats, and veterinarians' role in mitigating threats to animal health.

Lecture Topics:

  • The Bio/Agro Terrorist Threat, Dr. Jerry Jaax, Associate Vice Provost for Research Compliance at Kansas State and the University Veterinarian
  • The Post 9/11 Threat, Donald Mahley, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State with the United States Department of State
  • Crop Biosecurity, Dr. Ray Martyn, Purdue University
  • Economic Impact of an Animal Agricultural Threat, Dr. Chris Hurt, Purdue University
  • Activists Opposition to Research, Jacquie Calnan, Americans for Medical Progress
  • Employee Screening, Jill Lynn, Human Resources, BASi
  • Socio-economic impact of Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Martha Littlefield, Assistant State Veterinarian, Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

VCS 649 Understanding the Response (0.5 Credit)

Understanding the response is a distance learning course presenting material on response to disease outbreaks, acts of terrorism, and natural disasters that affect our animal population. Laboratory modules in which students become trained in the National Response Plan are required.

Lecture Topics:

  • Defense Support to Civil Authority, William A. Foley, Jr., PhD, Senior Homeland Security Planner, Indiana Department of Homeland Security
  • State-Federal Interagency Cooperation and Actions, William A. Foley, Jr., Ph.D., Senior Homeland Security Planner, Indiana Department of Homeland Security
  • Animal Health Emergency Response, W. Ron DeHaven, DVM, Administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
  • Communicating Animal Health Issues to the News Media, W. Ron DeHaven, DVM, Administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
  • Mole in the Mouse House, Neil Caudle, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • The Response to Hurricane Katrina, Martha A. Littlefield, DVM, MS, Assistant State Veterinarian, Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • Managing the Stress of a Traumatizing Work Environment, Chaplain (MAJ) Daniel Sherar, Indiana National Guard

VCS 651 Biosecurity for Veterinary Responders (1.0 Credits)

Biosecurity for veterinary responders is a course outlining biosecurity procedures for veterinarians responding to animal health emergencies. Topics include quarantine establishment, personal protective equipment, general biosecurity procedures, and decontamination techniques.

Lecture Topics:

  • Reporting and communications during an animal health emergency, Denise Derrer, Public information officer, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
  • Shipping Infectious Substances and Diagnostic Specimens, Lanie Hazelwood, Hazardous Material Program Coordinator for the department of Radiological and Environmental Management at Purdue University
  • Challenges and solutions to trace-forwards and trace-backs, Dr. Jennifer Greiner, former ID Programs Director for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health
  • Investigation of the ability to determine final destinations of pigs exhibited at the 2002 Indiana State Fair, Dr. Sandy Amass
  • Basic principles of cleaning and disinfection, Dr. Sandy Amass
  • Vehicle biosecurity, Dr. Sandy Amass
  • Biosecurity considerations for people, Dr. Sandy Amass
  • Zoonotic disease prevention for personnel, Dr. Sandy Amass
  • Biosecurity considerations for law enforcement, Dr. Sandy Amass
  • Personal Protection, Michael Bigler, Indiana Department of Homeland Security
  • Review of emergency response equipment, Tim Batta
  • Training & certification for shipping infectious substances and diagnostic specimens, Lanie Hazlewood
  • Biosecurity issues: Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Martha Littlefield, Assistant State Veterinarian in the Department of Agriculture and Forestry for the state of Louisiana

VCS 653 Veterinarian's Role in Community Planning (0.5 Credit)

The veterinarian's role in community planning is a distance learning course presenting fundamental materials on understanding and creating an emergency and disaster plan. Students will be required to participate in emergency planning for their community as part of this course.

Lecture Topics:

  • Understanding Emergency and Disaster Planning, Steve Cain and Abigail Borron, Disaster Communication Specialist for Purdue Extension Homeland Security Project Director,EDEN/Communication specialist for the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
  • Completing an Emergency and Disaster Plan, Steve Cain and Abigail Borron
  • Resource Management, Dr. Marianne Ash, Director of Biosecurity and Preparedness Planning/Keys to Effective Communication/Animal Health Organizations, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
  • Animal Health Planning/Keys to Effective Communication/Animal Health Organizations, Dr. Peter Fernandez and Dr. Alfonso Torres, Regional Director for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Service (APHIS)/Associate Dean for Public Policy at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Evaluating and Updating Plans for Animal Issues in Emergencies, Dr. Sandra Norman, Director of Companion Animal and Equine, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
  • Lessons Learned, Dr. Marianne Ash and Joyce Woodall, Ms. Woodall is an animal health technician for the United States Department of Agriculture

VCS 657 Crime Scene Management (1.0 Credit)

A didactic course outlining the protocol law enforcement will utilize when conducting a crime scene investigation where veterinarians are expected to give assistance. The course framework will include initial response, scene processing and evidence collection, documenting the crime scene, and crime scene equipment. Actual cases will be included when available.

Lecture Topics:

  • Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation, Sgt. Don McCay, Indiana State Police
  • Initial Response/ Prioritization of Efforts, Captain Robert Rich, Indiana State Police
  • Crime Scene Management/ Evidence Handling and Documentation, D/Sgt. Anthony Bontrager, Crime Scene Investigator, St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit
  • Crime Scene Documentation, Detective Patrick Cicero, Crime Scene Investigator, LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
  • Crime Scene Equipment, Sgt. Don McCay, Sgt. Rob Ewing, Sgt. Steve Weigle, Sgt. Rick Hammer, Eric Lawrence, Indiana State Police
  • Fire Investigations, Mike Koppes, Fire Protection Engineer, and Tom Cooper, Fire Safety Specialist, Purdue University
  • Basic Digital Crime Scene Investigations, Dr. Marcus Rogers, Purdue University
  • Interview and Interrogation, Sgt. Don McCay, Indiana State Police
  • Explosions and Bombings, Sgt. Dan Goris, Commander Indiana State Police Bomb Squad
  • Methamphetamine, Sgt. Don McCay, Indiana State Police
  • Completing and Recording the Crime Scene Investigation, Deputy Prosecutor Christine Wrage

VCS 659 Business Continuity Management (0.5 Credit)

A didactic course outlining considerations for managing business continuity during an emergency.

Lecture Topics:

  • Introduction to Business Continuity Planning and Your Business, Jackie Rees, PhD, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems, Krannert School of Management Purdue University
  • Risk Assessment and Business Impact Analysis, Jackie Rees, PhD, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems, Krannert School of Management Purdue University
  • Business Continuity Strategies, Jackie Rees, PhD, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems, Krannert School of Management Purdue University
  • Creating a Business Continuity Culture, Jackie Rees, PhD, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems, Krannert School of Management Purdue University
  • Developing and Implementing a Business Continuity Management Response to Disaster Part 1, Dean Larson, PhD, CEM, CSP, CPT, Purdue University Calumet
  • Developing and Implementing a Business Continuity Management Response to Disaster Part 2, Dean Larson, PhD, CEM, CSP, CPT, Purdue University Calumet
  • Exercises, Maintenance and Audit, Dean Larson, PhD, CEM, CSP, CPT, Purdue University Calumet