Introduction to Professional Practice (VETS30030)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This capstone subject introduces students to aspects of professional practice for veterinarians, such as the role of the veterinarian in the community, characteristics of veterinary leadership and the skills required to work effectively as a team member and attend to the well-being of self and others. This subject also examines the major non-production animal industries in Australia and internationally, with a focus on the impact of management practices on the health and welfare of animal populations.
Students will develop an appreciation of the major determinants of profitability, productivity and sustainability of these industries, be able to describe the basic principles of breeding, management, nutrition, animal welfare and disease control as they relate to non-production animal industries and specify where veterinary input may be important. Students will gain an understanding of the ethical and legal frameworks that govern animal industries in Australia, assuring the safe, ethical and legal management of animals. Students will be given the opportunity to develop skills in risk assessment and handling of cattle, horses, sheep, dogs and cats before demonstrating their proficiency in the structured assessments.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Describe the major non-production animal industries and the common management systems within them in order to maximise learning from placements and understand the context of the veterinarian in these industries
- Describe the basic principles of breeding, management, nutrition, animal welfare and disease control as they relate to non-production animal systems and specify where veterinary input may be important
- Apply principles of animal behaviour and risk assessment in order to safely handle and restrain the common domesticated animal species
- Describe the ethical and legal frameworks that govern the major non-production animal industries in Australia in order to understand the role of the various players, including veterinarians, in assuring the safe, ethical and legal management of animals
- Describe the role of the veterinarian in the community, the important characteristics of veterinary leadership and demonstrate skills required to work effectively as a team member and independently
- Attend to the well-being of self and others, including applying principles of personal financial risk management
Generic skills
- Be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
- Have enhanced analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
- Have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
- 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.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Permission of the Faculty of Science is required to enrol into this subject. Enrolment is limited to BSc students who have been selected into the Veterinary Bioscience major, leading to articulation into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Students must have successfully completed the following subjects:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| VETS20019 | Frontiers in Veterinary Science | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
| AGRI20043 | Biochemistry in Agricultural Systems | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| VETS30029 | Veterinary Bioscience: Cells to Systems | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| VETS30030 | Introduction to Professional Practice | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| VETS30031 | Animal Production Systems 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
Students must comply with the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Fitness to Practice Rules, which are accessible from Schedule 1 of the Student Fitness to Practice Policy (MPF1345).
Current vaccinations for tetanus and/or documented immunity to Q Fever are requirements for enrolment.
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Up to four online assessments, equally weighted
| Throughout the semester | 10% |
Attendance and participation in animal handling practicals Hurdle requirement: Students must attend and participate in all timetabled animal handling practicals to be considered as 'safe to attempt' the structured assessments of safe animal handling skills | N/A | |
Written test
| Mid semester | 25% |
Up to five structured assessments of animal handling skills
| Throughout the semester | N/A |
Personal reflection
| From Week 8 to Week 11 | 20% |
Written examination
| During the examination period | 45% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Rebekah Brown Coordinator Cam Raw Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 100 hrs seminars, lectures, case studies and animal handling practicals Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Major Veterinary Bioscience
Last updated: 4 March 2025