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Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (MC-DVETMED) // Attributes, outcomes and skills
About this course
Contact
Prospective students:
Currently enrolled students:
Principal Coordinator
Jennifer Carter
Professional accreditation
The veterinary program at the University of Melbourne is accredited by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (London, United Kingdom), and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Accreditation is reviewed on a 7 year cycle for all accredited veterinary schools. The accrediting authorities have been informed of the changes to the degree structure through the customary annual reporting process. A formal review of the program will occur in line with the normal accreditation process.
Australiasian Veterinary Boards Council
The veterinary program at the University of Melbourne is accredited by the Australasian Boards Council, the Royal College Veterinary Surgeons (London, United Kingdom), and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Accreditation is reviewed on a 7 year cycle for all accredited veterinary schools. The accrediting authorities are kept informed of all changes to the degree structure through he customary annual reporting process. A formal review of the program occurs in line with the normal accreditation process.
Intended learning outcomes
Graduates of the DVM course will:
- Demonstrate the professional behaviour expected of a veterinarian including prioritisation of ethics, animal health and welfare, public health, and the well-being and safety of patients, clients, team members and themselves
- Safely collect and appropriately interpret information, use knowledge of biological processes, and apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to recommend effective solutions, taking into account animal welfare, legal, ethical, prognostic, economic and public health considerations
- Safely perform preventative, diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures for the health, wellness and treatment of animals, appropriate to the context and life stage
- Prioritise and respond effectively to emergencies, including those related to biosecurity and infectious diseases, in order to protect the needs of people, animals and the environment
- Apply population management principles in compliance with legal regulations and taking into consideration economics and determinants of profitability, productivity and sustainability
- Critically evaluate the scientific literature in order to practise evidence-based veterinary medicine, to ask and answer research questions, and to advance knowledge in the profession
- Demonstrate adaptive and professional communication skills appropriate for the intended audience
- Practise reflection and self-directed learning, recognise personal and resource-related limitations, seek assistance as needed, and be aware of the breadth of non-clinical professional opportunities available
- Utilise business acumen to manage professional and personal decisions
Generic skills
The primary aim of the Melbourne DVM curriculum is to graduate highly capable veterinary scientists whose abilities to solve problems, to draw on the substantial body of veterinary knowledge, to interpret evidence, and to make decisions and act upon them within a clear ethical and professional framework embody all of the graduate attributes to which the Faculty aspires.
The DVM curriculum has been developed around five learning domains that describe the student’s progressive acquisition of the graduate attributes of a veterinary scientist. These domains or strands, that traverse all subjects of the DVM program, are:
- The scientific basis of clinical practice
- Ethics and animal welfare
- Biosecurity and population health
- Clinical skills, and
- Personal and professional development
The DVM program encourages students to achieve the attributes of all graduates of the University of Melbourne in terms of academic excellence, knowledge acquisition, community leadership and responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and international awareness.
As a Masters level course, the DVM assumes and builds on the prior knowledge and experience in scientific thinking of students entering the course. From the first year of study, an integrated and interdisciplinary approach is adopted. Students are expected to appraise data critically, to integrate concepts acquired in different disciplines, and to apply their understanding to authentic cases. They will be provided with opportunities to practise evidence-based decision-making, to solve clinical problems and to acquire clinical competencies in an ordered and sequential way.
Graduate attributes
The DVM program encourages students to achieve the attributes of all graduates of the University of Melbourne in terms of academic excellence, knowledge acquisition, community leadership and responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and international awareness.
In particular, the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences intends that graduates of its DVM program should:
- 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: 8 November 2024