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Production, Herd and Public Health A (VETS90097)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinator: Dr Stuart Barber srbarber@unimelb.edu.au
Unit 1 Applied Animal Production Health A
Dr Stuart Barber srbarber@unimelb.edu.au
Unit 2 Veterinary Epidemiology
Prof. Mark Stevenson mark.stevenson@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject builds on students’ knowledge of the principles of animal health and production in the context of animal production systems.
During placements in animal production industry, animal welfare and zoo settings, students acquire skills in animal handling and observe and participate in a range of animal management practices. Integrating knowledge and understanding derived from other subjects in their course, students evaluate issues relating to animal health, welfare and production and conduct critical analysis of data provided to them.
This subject also applies an understanding of host, pathogen and environmental factors and the way in which livestock are managed to develop a knowledge base that will allow disease and suboptimal productivity at the herd and flock level to be diagnosed and managed. The multifactorial nature of disease is reviewed, and techniques for measurement and prediction of disease prevalence and population health introduced.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate competency in the handling and restraint of common domesticated animal species
- Describe management systems and practices appropriate for the care and welfare of animals commonly farmed in Australian animal production industries
- Evaluate the productivity and profitability of animal production systems
- Apply epidemiologic principles to understand, control and prevent disease and production losses in animal populations
- Recognise that disease and impaired productivity in animal populations are multifactorial
- Develop interventions that acknowledge the latter principle when faced with disease or suboptimal productivity at the herd or flock level
- Describe the roles of veterinarians in contributing to public health through their involvement in animal production and management, food safety management, humane slaughter of livestock for food, and disease outbreak investigations
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should:
- Be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
- Understand the scientific method, and the history and evolution of scientific concepts
- Be intellectually curious and able to apply a rigorous, critical and logical approach to enquiry
- Be able to communicate ideas effectively in both written and verbal formats to both specialists and non-specialists
- Demonstrate skills in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
- Be efficient managers of information
- Be able to apply appropriate technology to the analysis of biological problems
- Demonstrate integrity and honesty in interactions with colleagues, the general public and clients
- Demonstrate empathy and concern for animals, their owners and the general community
- Possess an understanding of both the scientific and vocational aspects of veterinary science
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Satisfactory completion of all subjects at DVM 1 level.
Completion of an approved five day residential course in animal handling, environmental safety and management.
Corequisites
All students are to enrol in both corequisite subjects, unless directed otherwise by the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences.
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
VETS90064 | Veterinary Bioscience 2A | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
18.75 |
VETS90099 | Infections and Immunity A | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
18.75 |
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
VETS90068 | Applications in Animal Health 2 Part A | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
Recommended background knowledge
This subject assumes prior knowledge in one or more disciplines of science. All students will be familiar with the principles of scientific thinking, development, experimental designs, and data collection, analysis and interpretation.
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
Two units will be undertaken in this subject:
Unit 1 Applied Animal Production Health A (55% of total subject assessment)
- A written report (maximum 3000 words) demonstrating research and review of the literature on a relevant animal production industry and an overview of a placement enterprise, due in approximately Week 9 of Semester 1 (55%)
Unit 2 Veterinary Epidemiology (45% of total subject assessment)
- A one-hour test during Semester 1 (18%)
- A two-hour written examination held in the Semester 1 examination period (27%)
Hurdle Requirements:
Students must complete 10 weeks of approved placements in Category A (extensive production industries), Category B (intensive production industries) or Category C (educational farms, welfare/small animal shelters and zoos) by the end of VETS90098 Production, Herd and Public Health Part B. Approved placements may be local, regional, interstate or international.
Students must complete a brief (one page) written summary of each extramural placement they visit.
Students are required to pass the subject on aggregate mark.
The passing of each unit on aggregate mark is a hurdle requirement.
To be eligible to pass the subject and its two units, students must pass the written report in Unit 1 Applied Animal Production Health A and achieve a minimum mark of 40% in the written examination in Unit 2 Veterinary Epidemiology scheduled in the Semester 1 examination period.
Students must attend a minimum of 90% of all practical classes, workshops and case studies in this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Stuart Barber Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 21 Hours (plus 10 weeks of extramural placements during vacations) Total time commitment 204 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinator: Dr Stuart Barber srbarber@unimelb.edu.au
Unit 1 Applied Animal Production Health A
Dr Stuart Barber srbarber@unimelb.edu.au
Unit 2 Veterinary Epidemiology
Prof. Mark Stevenson mark.stevenson@unimelb.edu.au
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Last updated: 3 November 2022