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Professional Veterinary Practice (VETS40018)
Undergraduate level 4Points: 100On Campus (Werribee)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Year Long
Overview
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This subject is undertaken as a series of 25 weeks of scheduled clinical rotations, internally within the University Veterinary Hospital and in external placements, 19 weeks on extramural elective placements, and concludes with a one week capstone 'transition to the workplace' lecture and workshop series. The subject comprises 45 weeks of study.
This subject addresses and assesses the five core learning domains of Veterinary Professional Practice:
- Personal and Professional Development
- The Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice
- Clinical Skills
- Ethics and Animal Welfare, and
- Biosecurity and Population Health
The internal rotations include training in clinical disciplines such as; general practice, small animal medicine, small animal surgery/neurology, equine medicine and surgery, production animal medicine, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesiology, small animal emergency medicine and pathology.
The external rotations include training in clinical disciplines such as; veterinary public health, dairy cattle medicine and surgery, and shelter medicine and surgery.
Nineteen weeks of extramural elective placements must be completed, of which 15 weeks are scheduled in the final year rotation schedule. The remaining 4 weeks may be completed immediately after achieving passes in all subjects in Year 2 of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (i.e. BVSc2). The scheduled 15 weeks must be completed after achieving passes in all subjects in BVSc3. These may be taken in sequences lasting from one to five weeks' duration. They may be undertaken in approved veterinary practices in Australia or internationally, in government veterinary laboratories or other organisations, or in a veterinary research environment. A research project may be undertaken during extramural elective rotations.
A compulsory Capstone series of lectures and workshops concludes the year with reviews of topics that prepare students for transition to the workplace. An annual research project under supervision of an appropriate mentor is also required to be completed.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an extensive body of contemporary knowledge encompassing all disciplines and aspects of veterinary science
- Apply research methodology and integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question in veterinary science
- Apply knowledge and skills to solve problems that arise in practical settings and professional contexts in veterinary science and develop an integrated understanding of knowledge and practice
- Apply an understanding of the development of evidence-based practice and evidence-based methods in practical setting in veterinary science.
- Recognise the importance of and utilize evidence-based methods in veterinary practice
- Investigate, evaluate, interpret and manage problems encountered as a veterinary scientist employing practical skills and the application of knowledge
- Perform the Day One Competencies as outlined in the document Day One Competencies of a Graduate of the Melbourne School of Veterinary Science
- Graduate and register as a veterinarian with certifying bodies that recognise the DVM degree
- Contribute to the further advancement of veterinary knowledge and veterinary practice
Generic skills
Students completing this subject will:
- Be able to seek solutions to problems through the application of knowledge, the ability to initiate and integrate new ideas, an appreciation of the broad picture of science, and an understanding of the importance and application of scientific method
- Deal with integrity and honesty with professional colleagues, clients and the general public
- Demonstrate empathy and concern for animals and people
- Possess an understanding of both scientific and vocational aspects of veterinary science
- Be motivated to be a veterinarian, aware of the veterinarian’s place in society, and prepared to be a leader in the community
- Have broad knowledge of veterinary science and be able to develop intellectual and physical skills as circumstances dictate
- Be trained in all disciplines and aspects of veterinary science
- Be adaptable to changes in their specific field of employment and to advancements in veterinary science in general
- Be confident in their veterinary capabilities on day one post-graduation whilst recognising the limitations of their training
- Be aware of the global society and equipped to contribute to it
- Be a graduate of choice for employers
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Passes in all subjects in Year 3 of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science course.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
A sound understanding of structure, function and dysfunction in domestic animals, animal management systems and diseases of importance in domestic animals and principles of their treatment.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
Overall assessment
- Core internal/external clinical rotations, and elective clinical rotations (60%)
- Extramural placements (20%)
- 2-hour multiple choice/short answer written examination in the second half of the year (10%)
- Research project (10%)
Core internal and external clinical rotations and elective clinical rotations (60% of total subject assessment) PLUS Extramural placements (20% of total subject assessment)
Continuous assessment of performance in the internal clinical rotations at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital and in the external clinical rotations and in the extramural placements. Students will be assessed in each of the five core themes of Veterinary Professional Practice (80% of total subject assessment).
Each of the five core themes will be equally weighted (16% each of total subject assessment). Rotation marks and feedback will be provided to the students within approximately 1 - 2 weeks of each rotation.
HURDLE REQUIREMENTS 1-5:
Passing each of the five core themes individually, averaged across all internal and external clinical rotations, and extramural placements, is a hurdle requirement for this subject.
Internal and External Clinical Rotations
All students must perform satisfactorily in each of the clinical rotations. Performance appraisal is undertaken by veterinary staff supervising the rotation and generally encompasses evaluation of attendance and punctuality, theoretical knowledge, practical skills, professional demeanour, oral and written communication skills, initiative and enthusiasm. Some rotations may require submission of a short written assignment or case report, an oral presentation, and /or successful completion of objective assessment tasks as part of the assessment. Refer to the Clinical Rotation guides for full details of each individual rotation.
HURDLE REQUIREMENT 6:
Achieving a pass in each of the clinical rotations is a hurdle requirement for this subject.
Extramural Placements
Students must perform to a satisfactory standard (as assessed by the designated Academic Associate or Supervising Veterinarian) during each of the 19 weeks of extramural placements.
HURDLE REQUIREMENT 7:
Achieving a pass in each of the extramural placements is a hurdle requirement for this subject. Refer to the Clinical Extramural Rotation guides for full details.
Written examination (10% of total subject assessment)
2-hour multiple choice/short answer written examination scheduled in the second half of the year covering all components from the DVM curriculum relating to Veterinary Public Health and also all applied aspects of all clinical disciplines of DVM3 and DVM4 (10% of total subject assessment).
HURDLE REQUIREMENT 8:
Students must pass the written examination.
Research Project (10% of total subject assessment)
Details to be provided to students at the end of DVM3.
HURDLE REQUIREMENT 9:
Students must pass the Research Project.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Year Long
Principal coordinator Caroline Mansfield Mode of delivery On Campus (Werribee) Contact hours 1590 hours Total time commitment 2,400 hours Teaching period 8 January 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 18 January 2019 Census date 31 May 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 Year Long contact information
Time commitment details
2400 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
This is rotation-dependent and will be provided prior to the start of each individual rotation.
- Subject notes
The requirement of students to complete 19 weeks of extramural elective placements and some rotations on sites external to the Werribee campus may incur additional incidental costs associated with travel and/or accommodation. The amount of these incidental expenses will depend on the location of these external placements. Students should take into account expected incidental expenses prior to organising or confirming external placements.
Last updated: 3 November 2022