Intro to the Veterinary Profession (VETS90122)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This 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 will be able to:
- Describe the major non-production animal industries and the common management systems within them, and the role 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 varied roles of the veterinarian in the community and in industry, and develop and demonstrate the professional skills required to work effectively as a leader, a team member and independently
- Attend to the well-being of self and others, including applying principles of personal financial risk management
- Describe principles of scientific method and how research results are communicated and accessed
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students will:
- Be able to seek solutions to problems through the application of knowledge, be able to initiate and integrate new ideas, appreciate the broad picture of science, and understand the importance and application of scientific method
- Be able to deal with integrity and honesty with professional colleagues and clients
- Have the capacity to demonstrate empathy and concern for animals and people
- Have a deeper understanding of the vocational aspects of veterinary science
- Have a heightened awareness of the veterinarian's role in society, and the capacity to be a leader in the community.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the MC-DVETMED Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Corequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| VETS90123 | Animal Production Systems: Extensive | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| VETS90117 | Applications in Animal Health A | No longer available |
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Up to four online assessments, each equally weighted
| Throughout the semester | 10% |
Online activity - literature search
| From Week 1 to Week 4 | N/A |
Written test
| Mid semester | 25% |
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 | |
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% |
Aggregate mark Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the subject on aggregate mark. | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Rebekah Brown Coordinator Cam Raw Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 85 hours of seminars, lectures, case studies and animal handling practicals Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 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
Last updated: 4 March 2025