Animal Agriculture and Food Safety Risk Analysis
London, 28th August - 7th September, 2012
Duration: 2 weeks
Course overview
EpiX Analytics have successfully taught this ever-popular public course for many years, and have also used it as the basis for private courses that they have delivered in universities and research institutions around the globe. For the second consecutive year this course will be delivered jointly with the Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health Group of the Royal Veterinary College. You can also visit a mirror of this course page on EpiX Analytics’s website.
The course is split into two self-contained modules.
Module 1
This module lasts five days and provides the basic principles of risk assessment and where it fits into the risk analysis process. It also examines resources, strategy and communication issues that management face in risk assessment. During the course we cover core risk modeling principles, and also provide the participants with hands-on skills to effectively use a risk modeling software environment (in this case @Risk® with Microsoft Excel®, but the material taught applies equally well to other modeling environments). We also teach essential probability and statistics theory and various stochastic processes. This module covers material that is essential for Module 2.
Module 1 will be useful for analysts with basic knowledge of simulation modeling and who require an introduction to animal health, microbial, antimicrobial or toxicological food safety risk assessment. It is also relevant for risk managers in general. This is a key module that should be taken before attending Module 2.
Module 2
This module also runs for five days and should appeal to those who have already attended one of our previous courses. During this module we review advanced modeling methods while maintaining the focus on producing models that risk managers can understand. Thus, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of mechanistic vs. empirical models, and we emphasize the importance of parsimony in model building. We also discuss effective ways to communicate results to risk managers, and how to choose between potentially conflicting models and sources of evidence.
Module 2 provides participants with in-depth knowledge of the modeling techniques required for risk assessments of internationally accepted standard. We critically look at risk models, and the participants are encouraged to discuss modeling problems they are currently faced with. Attendance of Module 1 or prior knowledge of the material covered in Module 1 will be needed. If you are considering only attending Module 2, please contact us to make sure you have the knowledge provided in Module 1.
This module is suited to those already familiar with spreadsheet modeling, who have some modeling experience and who are interested in developing these skills further. The module content will enable the participants to produce realistic, professional quality models. It is designed to encourage the modeler to develop problem solving skills through a variety of exercises and case studies.
Please review the prerequisites section before attending the course. The requirements are very basic but ensuring that all participants arrive with this basic level prevents us from spending too much time on familiarization with Excel® rather than learning about risk assessment modeling.
Training materials
All lecture notes are provided as PDF versions of PowerPoint files. A CD of these files is provided to each participant. Printed handouts are also provided. The CD also contains all model files produced for the course. Any additional models developed during the course are downloadable from a specific page on the web site dedicated to the course.
Course format
The course runs from 09:00 to 17:00 each day. Morning and afternoon coffee and lunch are provided. Group dinners will be provided at least once during each module. The course will be delivered in English.
Who should attend
Animal health, microbial, antimicrobial and toxicological food safety risk analysts and risk managers who have basic knowledge of spreadsheets and simulation modeling. Statisticians and scientists providing input to a risk assessment.
Prerequisites
Participants will be primarily using @Risk® (version 5.0 or newer) with Excel® to solve the exercises.It is important that participants have basic working knowledge of Excel. However, no prior experience using @RISK or other simulation tools is required. The R software environment for statistical computing and graphics and the WinBUGS® statistical software will also be briefly used for some exercise sessions. However, participants can also choose to use another Monte Carlo package of their choice (e.g. CrystalBall®).
- A Trial version of @Risk is available from Palisade's website. As the trial license only lasts 15 days, participants should install it only a few days before the course - download @Risk.
- R can be downloaded from the Comprehensive R Archive Network - download R
- WinBUGS can be downloaded from the BUGS Project - download WinBUGS
In addition to @Risk® and Excel®, R®, and WinBUGS®, participants are required to bring computers with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint installed, and with a functional CD drive.
Participants very proficient in R® can work through the exercises using this software environment. The instructor will help them solve their problems, but the solutions to group problems will be shown in Excel® and @Risk®.
Free ModelAssist
ModelAssist is a comprehensive risk analysis training reference and is free of cost. This reference tool provides an in-depth explanation of all of the risk analysis concepts, techniques and methods introduced in this course and greatly complements the course material.
ModelAssist is available directly from EpiX Analytics - download ModelAssist.
Teaching philosophy
All our courses aim to help the participants understand risk analysis and develop practical skills in setting up risk assessment models. We believe that this is best achieved through a relaxed, informal and interactive environment, using plenty of examples and hands-on exercises where students apply and adapt what they have learned. We have also modified our courses to include more case studies, allowing participants to see how the different risk assessment modeling techniques are applied as part of a risk analysis.
Social events
An added value of participating in such training courses is the opportunity to develop or extend the network of professional contacts when working with other course participants. This is a relatively long and intensive course, and we'll need a break from time to time. The entertainment we provide is an excellent opportunity to relax, have some fun, establish some contacts, and sample some of the local culture.
We therefore arrange optional fun, interactive social events which take advantage of local attractions, cuisine and culture. All social events are included in the course fee.
Course content
The programme can be downloaded as a PDF from EpiX Analytics - Full Course Programme (PDF)
Registration
This course will be held at the Royal Veterinary College's Camden campus in London (UK).
The course fee is US$2,995 per week (when taking either module individually) or US$4,995 for the two weeks (taking both modules together).
To register please download and submit your completed Registration Form.
Lodging and transportation
Course participants must arrange their own accommodation. Please download Lodging & Transportation (PDF) for a description of accommodation and transportation options for a variety of budgets.
For travel directions please see Camden Campus Travel Directions.
The Royal Veterinary College
Established in 1791, the RVC is the UK’s longest-standing veterinary college—with a proud heritage of innovation in veterinary science, clinical practice and education.