Wildlife, Aquaculture, Exotics and Pigs (VETS90150)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Werribee)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2 (Early-Start)
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This subject focuses on identification of disease and impacts of disease in wildlife, farmed and ornamental fish, small companion animals (such as rabbits, rodents and reptiles), and pigs. Content will include a focus on husbandry, statutory regulations, and development of diagnostic reasoning skills, and will encourage a comparative view of veterinary medicine and surgery.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Describe the factors that affect the occurrence and impacts of disease in wildlife, fish, small companion animals (such as rabbits, rodents and reptiles) and pigs, including specific examples
  • Develop and communicate an effective plan for the husbandry of orphan marsupials, ornamental and farmed fish, small companion animals and pigs that addresses associated welfare issues
  • Recognise the clinical signs of common and important diseases in wildlife populations, farmed fish and pigs, describe the impacts of these diseases on the wider ecological and production systems, and apply principles of investigation, prevention and management of disease to these populations
  • Explain how to safely examine native Australian wildlife, fish, small companion animals and pigs, collect and interpret clinical history and physical examination findings and formulate a plan for the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, taking into account prognostic, economic, public health and animal welfare considerations
  • Explain legal obligations in relation to treating wildlife in private veterinary practice and the statutory regulations applicable to the husbandry, welfare, disease control and use of therapeutic substances in fish

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should:

  • Have a broad knowledge of science across a range of fields, with an in-depth understanding in one scientific discipline
  • Understand the scientific method, and the history and evolution of scientific concepts
  • Be intellectually curious and 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
  • Reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
  • Be efficient managers of information
  • Be able to apply technology to the analysis of biological problems.

Last updated: 4 March 2025