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Production, Herd and Public Health A (VETS90097)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
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 |
---|---|
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
- Apply an understanding of animal production systems, management practices and the principal determinants of animal health in reflective and critical analysis of personal industry-based experiences
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: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
UNIT 1: APPLIED ANIMAL PRODUCTION HEALTH A (55% of total subject assessment) Hurdle requirement: Must pass Unit 1 Applied Animal Production Health A on aggregate mark | N/A | |
Unit 1: Applied Animal Production Health A Written report demonstrating research and review of the literature on a relevant animal production industry and an overview of a placement enterprise
| Week 9 | 55% |
UNIT 2: VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGY (45% of total subject assessment) Hurdle requirement: Must pass Unit 2 Veterinary Epidemiology on aggregate mark | N/A | |
Unit 2 Veterinary Epidemiology Written test (1,000 word equivalence)
| During semester | 18% |
Unit 2 Veterinary Epidemiology End of semester exam (2,000 word equivalence)
| During the examination period | 27% |
Students must complete 12 weeks of approved extramural 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 B.
| 12 weeks during non-teaching periods over the first and second years of the course | N/A |
Brief (500 words) written summary of each extramural placement
| By the end of VETS90098 Production, Herd and Public Health B | N/A |
Agreggate mark Hurdle requirement: Must pass the subject on aggregate mark | N/A | |
Attendance Hurdle requirement: Must attend a minimum of 90% of all practical classes and case studies | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 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: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024