Máster en Cuidados de Animales

Program Overview

The Postgraduate Program in Management, Welfare, and Veterinary Medicine in Aquariums and Zoos of the 21st Century equips students with the knowledge and skills to work in modern aquariums and zoos. The program emphasizes animal welfare, species conservation, and public education through interdisciplinary modules covering management, preventive medicine, and veterinary medicine. It combines theoretical and practical learning experiences, including internships, and prepares students for diverse careers in wildlife conservation, animal management, and related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Máster de Formación Permanente en Gestión Integral, Bienestar y Veterinaria en Acuarios y Zoológicos del Siglo XXI is a postgraduate program designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to work in the modern world of aquariums and zoos.

• The management, current state, innovation, and research in wildlife conservation, particularly in captivity.
• The importance of animal welfare in zoos and aquariums.
• The role of zoos and aquariums in public education and conservation efforts.
• The practical application of veterinary medicine in wildlife, especially in captivity.

Outline:

The program is divided into three thematic blocks:

Block 1: Gestión Integral (Integrated Management)

• Module 1: Bases de los centros del S.XXI y biología aplicada (Foundations of 21st-Century Centers and Applied Biology): This module covers the history, mission, and legislation of zoos and aquariums, as well as their role in science and nature education.
It also includes an introduction to taxonomy and the species most relevant to modern zoos and aquariums.
• Module 2: Gestión técnica y empresarial de zoos y acuarios (Technical and Business Management of Zoos and Aquariums): This module focuses on the overall management of zoos and aquariums, including financial management, marketing, human resources, sustainability, and risk management.
It also covers topics such as animal transportation, collection management, and diving in aquariums.

Block 2: Bienestar y medicina preventiva (Welfare and Preventive Medicine)

• Module 3: Investigación, innovación, educación y difusión (Research, Innovation, Education, and Dissemination): This module explores the role of research and innovation in zoos and aquariums, including projects related to One Health, conservation, and public education.
It also covers the use of technology, such as drones, in wildlife research.
• Module 4: Diseño de instalaciones, bienestar animal y enriquecimiento ambiental (Facility Design, Animal Welfare, and Environmental Enrichment): This module focuses on the design of facilities that promote animal welfare, including environmental enrichment and training techniques.
It covers specific examples of animal welfare practices for various species, such as giraffes, elephants, primates, and fish. It also explores hygiene and preventive medicine practices, such as nutrition, vaccinations, and quarantine protocols.

Block 3: Veterinaria y conservación (Veterinary Medicine and Conservation)

• Module 6: Medicina veterinaria y toma de muestras (Veterinary Medicine and Sample Collection): This module covers the challenges and advancements in wildlife medicine, including emerging diseases, epidemiology, parasitology, necropsy techniques, and sample collection methods.
It also explores anesthesia and monitoring techniques for various species. It also covers the cultivation of auxiliary organisms, such as phytoplankton and zooplankton.
• Module 8: Casos clínicos (Clinical Cases): This module presents common and uncommon clinical cases in zoo medicine, covering a wide range of species.
It also explores the use of 3D technology in clinical case resolution.
• Module 9: Trabajo fin de máster (Master's Thesis): This module requires students to conduct independent research and write a thesis on a topic related to the program's focus.

Teaching:

The program features a combination of theoretical and practical learning experiences. The teaching methods include:

• Lectures: Delivered by renowned professionals from various countries with experience in zoos, aquariums, and other relevant organizations.
• Case studies: Real-world scenarios are used to illustrate key concepts and provide practical application.
• Workshops: Hands-on activities allow students to develop practical skills.
• Field trips: Visits to zoos and aquariums provide students with firsthand experience.
• Internships: Practical experience in zoos and aquariums is a key component of the program.

Careers:

The program prepares students for a variety of career paths in the field of wildlife conservation, including:

• Zoo and aquarium management: Positions such as zoo director, curator, or animal care manager.
• Wildlife conservation: Roles in conservation organizations, research institutions, or government agencies.
• Veterinary medicine: Specializing in wildlife medicine or working in zoos or aquariums.
• Education and outreach: Positions in zoos, aquariums, or other educational institutions.

Other:

• The program is offered in Spanish.
• The program is delivered in a blended format, with both online and in-person components.
• The program is offered by the Universidad Europea de Madrid.
• The program has a duration of 12 months and a total of 60 ECTS credits.
• The program includes over two months of practical experience in zoos and aquariums.
• The program has partnerships with over 50 zoos and aquariums worldwide.
• The program features international speakers from over 10 countries.
• The program is taught at the Universidad Europea's Villaviciosa de Odón campus in Madrid.
• The program is open to graduates in veterinary medicine, biology, or environmental and sustainability fields.