Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care (GC-SAECC)

Intended learning outcomes

At the completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Recall the physiological principles underlying homeostasis of the major body systems.
• Relate the clinical signs of common emergency and critical care conditions with underlying pathophysiology.
• Prioritise a patient's problems based on principles of triage.
• Interpret clinical signs and diagnostic tests as they apply to emergency and critical care patients
• Interpret clinical and diagnostic findings in order to identify sound management plans for patients with emergency and critical are conditions.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject students should have developed:

• problem-solving skills
• analytic skills
• increased confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems the capacity to manage competing demands on time

On completion of this course students become part of a cohort that has a bond through the common interest in the field of veterinary ECC.

Graduate attributes

Graduates of this course will have knowledge and skills in the area of ECC over and above what is expected of the graduate veterinarian. They will be able to prioritise and respond appropriately to life threatening clinical situations and will be able to apply knowledge and skills gain in this course to novel situations. They will gain a level of understanding and expertise that allows them to be able to give sound advice in the field of ECC to other practitioners.

The Melbourne Graduate

The University of Melbourne educational experience prepares well-rounded graduates who are academically outstanding, practically grounded and socially responsible. Melbourne's graduates are distinguished by their broad outlook and openness to different perspectives.

Melbourne's degrees develop research and reasoning skills that equip graduates to be influential citizens with high leadership potential. The University's graduates engage with national and global issues and are attuned to social and cultural diversity. They have high levels of self-awareness and value their personal integrity and well-being.

Academic distinction

A Melbourne degree provides graduates with in-depth knowledge of their specialist disciplines and skills in examining issues with multiple disciplinary perspectives. Melbourne graduates are critical, creative thinkers with strong reasoning skills. They can apply knowledge, information and research skills to complex problems in a range of contexts and are effective oral and written communicators.

The Melbourne educational experience prepares graduates to be entrepreneurial and innovative thought-leaders. Melbourne graduates bring research and inquiry skills to challenges in their workplaces and communities. They are adept lifelong learners who generate bold and novel ideas by critically evaluating alternative possibilities and viewpoints.

Active citizenship

Melbourne graduates have engaged with contemporary local, national and global issues and developed an appreciation of the Asian region. They have a high regard for human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment. Melbourne graduates are aware of the social and cultural diversity in communities and can work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. In particular, they have an understanding of and deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture and values.

The Melbourne experience supports a commitment to civic service in graduates' lives and careers, equipping them to be active, well-informed citizens who make substantial contributions to society. Graduates have the potential to be leaders in their professions and communities, with the capacity to work effectively across disciplines and cultures. Through advocacy and innovation they are able to lead change for a sustainable future.

Integrity and self-awareness

Melbourne graduates are motivated, self-directed and well-organised, with the ability to set goals and manage time and priorities. They are able to work effectively both independently and in groups. They are also highly self-aware and reflective, with skills in self-assessment, and place great importance on their personal and professional integrity.

The opportunities offered by the Melbourne experience help prepare graduates who are enthusiastic, self-assured and confident of their knowledge, yet flexible, adaptable and aware of their limitations. Melbourne's graduates are willing to explore, experiment and learn from mistakes. They have empathy and concern for the welfare of others and can manage their own well-being.