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- Interdisciplinary Master's Programme in Human-Animal Interactions
Programme code
Language of instruction
through selective admissions process each winter semester
ECTS
semesters
places
successful completion of master’s thesis
Academic degree
Students can deepen their knowledge of current research issues in the relevant disciplines of the natural sciences and humanities in the research-oriented Master's programme IMHAI.
These include ethical issues as well as topics in behavioural and cognitive biology, comparative medicine and neuroscience, as well as research questions in the fields of animal welfare, animal husbandry, psychology and philosophy of science.
The programme is offered by the Messerli Research Institute in cooperation with the Institute of Animal Welfare Science, the Domestication Lab as well as the clinics and other institutes of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna.
1st Semester:
- Foundations of Human-Animal Interactions: Human Perspectives (7 ECTS)
- Foundations of Human-Animal Interactions: Animal Perspectives (10 ECTS)
- Foundations of Human-Animal Interactions: Ethical and Societal Perspectives (5,5 ECTS)
- Human-Animal Interactions: Practical Perspectives (7,5 ECTS)
2nd Semester:
- Research Methods in Human-Animal Interaction (20 ECTS)
- An interdisciplinary introduction to scientific methods
- General methods of life sciences, incl. statistics
- Current methods in the Behavioral Sciences and Animal Welfare
- Current methods in Comparative Medicine
- Philosophical Research Methods
- Research Project I (8 ECTS)
- Interdisciplinary Journal Club and Thesis Seminar in Human-Animal Interaction (2 ECTS)
3rd and 4th Semester:
- Research Project II (13 ECTS)
- Interdisciplinary Journal Club and Thesis Seminar in Human-Animal Interaction (2 ECTS)
- Electives (10 ECTS)
- The Human-Animal Interactions Symposium (5 ECTS)
- Master Thesis (27 ECTS)
- Master Examination (3 ECTS)
- Innovative research projects and the opportunity to interact with and learn from internationally recognised scientists in the field of Human-Animal Interaction one-to-one
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Interdisciplinary education with simultaneous subject specialisation
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Vetmeduni offers an optimal environment for teaching, research and direct interaction with animals, including an attractive research infrastructure with world-unique labs such as the Clever Dog Lab, the Haidlhof Research Station with Kea Lab, the Goffin Lab, the Comparative Medicine Lab, and the VetFarm with pigs, cows and other farm animals.
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Opportunity to participate closely in the discussion of current research questions and studies in weekly meetings and thus actively experience the local research community.
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Students become part of an internationally connected alumni network after graduation.
- research and/or teaching at the university and other institutions of higher education
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research institutions in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries
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NGOs or public institutions with a focus on animal welfare or animal-assisted therapy
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non-university research institutions
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public and private sector institutions (e.g. ministries, agencies, commissions)
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executive functions in institutions with animal husbandry
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expert committees and science journalism
IMHAI Coordinator: Professor Ludwig Huber
Institutes Office: Jennifer Bentlage, MSc.
Contact via email or phone.
