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Veterinary Professional Practice (VETS90096)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 100On Campus (Werribee)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Year Long
Year and Subject Co-ordinators
Assoc. Prof. Brett Tennent-Brown brett.tennent@unimelb.edu.au
Assoc. Prof. Cathy Beck cbeck@unimelb.edu.au
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Year Long |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is composed of 21 weeks of Core and Track clinical rotations undertaken within the University Veterinary Hospital and at external locations, and 17 weeks of clinical extramural placements. An additional two weeks are devoted to completion of a research project in an area of student interest, under the direction of an academic supervisor/mentor. Students also participate in the Capstone Week activities after the conclusion of their clinical training and assessment tasks.
The Core and Track rotations undertaken within the University Veterinary Hospital include training in such clinical disciplines as general practice, small animal medicine, small animal surgery, equine medicine and surgery, veterinary public health/epidemiology, practice management, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesiology, small animal emergency medicine, clinical pathology and anatomical pathology.
The Core and Track rotations undertaken at external sites include training in clinical disciplines such as behaviour, dermatology, conservation and wildlife medicine, small animal dentistry, advanced dairy medicine, dairy cattle medicine and surgery, equine general practice, and shelter medicine and surgery.
The 17 weeks of clinical extramural placements can be undertaken in approved veterinary practices in Australia or internationally, in government veterinary laboratories or other organisations, or in a veterinary research environment. Students may commence these extramural placements immediately after achieving passes in all subjects at DVM 3 level.
After completion of the 40 weeks of clinical training, the subject concludes with a capstone series of lectures and workshops which review topics that prepare students for transition to the workplace and their veterinary professional careers.
Intended learning outcomes
- 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 utilise 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
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
VETS90076 | Veterinary Medicine and Surgery A | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee) |
37.5 |
VETS90077 | Veterinary Medicine and Surgery B | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee) |
37.5 |
VETS90078 | Veterinary Research Project A | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee) |
6.25 |
VETS90079 | Veterinary Research Project B | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee) |
6.25 |
VETS90080 | Professional Portfolio A | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee) |
6.25 |
VETS90081 | Professional Portfolio B | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee) |
6.25 |
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Core and Track clinical rotations; 21 weeks total; Continuous assessment weekly, throughout the teaching period
| Throughout the semester | 75% |
Multiple Choice exam (2,000 words equivalence)
| End of the teaching period | 12.5% |
Research project Maximum length (including up to 50 references)
| Submission by 1 November | 12.5% |
Demonstrate proficiency in professional entry-level clinical skills through structured assessment of each clinical skill Hurdle requirement: Must successfully complete all assessments of professional entry-level clinical skills by the end of the teaching period | Throughout the teaching year at times nominated by the student | N/A |
Completion of clinical extramural placements
| by the end of the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Year Long
Coordinators Cathy Beck and Brett Tennent-Brown Mode of delivery On Campus (Werribee) Contact hours 1590 hours Total time commitment 2,400 hours Teaching period 16 January 2020 to 4 December 2020 Last self-enrol date 24 January 2020 Census date 31 May 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 2 October 2020 Assessment period ends 6 December 2020 Year Long contact information
Year and Subject Co-ordinators
Assoc. Prof. Brett Tennent-Brown brett.tennent@unimelb.edu.au
Assoc. Prof. Cathy Beck cbeck@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
2400 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is delivered either partially or fully in-person in Second Half Year 2020. Please ensure you are able to attend any essential in-person requirements or speak to Stop 1 about alternative subject options.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Recommended texts and other resources are rotation-dependent and will be provided prior to the start of each individual rotation.
- Subject notes
The requirement of students to complete extramural 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.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Last updated: 3 November 2022