Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (MC-DVETMED) // Course structure

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Course structure

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All subjects in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course are core.

Across the first and second year of the course, students must undertake 12 weeks of animal husbandry/pre-clinical extramural placements across extensive, intensive, and other types of sites. Students undertake preclinical and animal husbandry WIL in an extramural workplace settings of each of the following species/disciplines: equine, production animals, and companion animals.

YEAR ONE (DVM 1):

All of:

Code Name Study period Credit Points
VETS90122 Intro to the Veterinary Profession
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS90121 Vet Bioscience: Cells to Systems
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS90120 Vet Bioscience: Digestive System
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS90123 Animal Production Systems: Extensive
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS90124 Vet Bioscience: Cardiovascular System
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS90125 Vet Bioscience: Metabolism
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS90126 Vet Bioscience: Respiratory System
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS90127 Animal Production Systems: Intensive
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
      

 

YEAR ONE (VIA THE VETERINARY BIOSCIENCE MAJOR in the B-SCI)

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science - Veterinary Bioscience Major should enrol in all of the following:

Code Name Study period Credit Points
VETS30029 Veterinary Bioscience: Cells to Systems
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS30016 Veterinary Bioscience: Digestive System
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
VETS30014 Veterinary Bioscience: Cardiovasc System
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS30018 Veterinary Bioscience:Respiratory System
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS30017 Veterinary Bioscience: Metabolism
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS30032 Animal Production Systems 2
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
      

 

YEAR TWO (DVM 2):

All of:

Code Name Study period Credit Points
VETS90128 Vet Bioscience: Integument and Immunity
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS90129 Vet Bioscience: Locomotion
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
VETS90130 Veterinary Virology
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
VETS90131 Veterinary Parasitology A
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
VETS90133 Animal Production Systems: Epidemiology
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
VETS90132 Veterinary Professional Practice 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
VETS90134 Vet Bioscience: Nervous System
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
 
Code Name Study period Credit Points
VETS90135 Vet Bioscience: Reproduction
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
VETS90136 Veterinary Public Health
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
VETS90137 Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
VETS90138 Veterinary Parasitology B
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
VETS90139 Veterinary Professional Practice 2
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
VETS90140 Animal Production Systems: Applications
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
     

YEAR THREE (DVM 3):

All of:

Code Name Study period Credit Points
VETS90141 Veterinary Professional Practice 3
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 12.5
VETS90142 Dogs and Cats A
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 12.5
VETS90144 Horses A
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25
VETS90145 Poultry and Aviary Birds
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25
VETS90143 Ruminants and Camelids A
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25
VETS90078 Veterinary Research Project A
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25
VETS90147 Dogs and Cats B
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 12.5
VETS90149 Horses B
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25
VETS90148 Ruminants and Camelids B
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 12.5
VETS90150 Wildlife, Aquaculture, Exotics and Pigs
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25
VETS90146 Veterinary Professional Practice 4
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25
VETS90079 Veterinary Research Project B
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25
      

Across the third and fourth year of the of the course, students must undertake 21 weeks of clinical extramural placements including experience across the following species: equine, production animals, and companion animals.

The third year of the DVM course incorporates Pre-Tracks. Pre-Tracks provide opportunities for students to undertake practical classes and activities in a chosen area of veterinary science to complement their core training. The four Pre-Tracks available to students are Production Animal, Small Animal, Equine, and Government, Industry and Conservation Health. Pre-Track practical classes and activities are components of VETS90141 Veterinary Professional Practice 3 and VETS90146 Veterinary Professional Practice 4 within DVM 3.

In the fourth year of the DVM course, students undertake four weeks of Track activities in Production Animal, Small Animal, Equine, or Government, Industry and Conservation Health to further enhance their clinical skills and experience and to expand their professional networks.  Students have complete flexibility as to which Track they select at DVM 4 level.

For further information about Pre-Tracks and Tracks, see: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/doctor-of-veterinary-medicine/where-will-this-take-me/

YEAR FOUR (DVM 4):

Code Name Study period Credit Points
VETS90096 Veterinary Professional Practice 5
Year Long (Extended) (On Campus - Werribee)
 100

Last updated: 5 April 2025