1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Vet Bioscience: Locomotion
  4. Print

Vet Bioscience: Locomotion (VETS90129)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2023 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
Summer Term, January and February subjects, where the teaching ends prior to the commencement of Semester 1, 2023, will be taught on campus with some subjects offered in dual-delivery and online modes.
From Semester 1, 2023 our undergraduate programs will be delivered on campus. Graduate programs will mainly be delivered on campus, with dual-delivery and online options available to a select number of subjects within some programs.
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.

Overview

Availability
Semester 1
FeesLook up fees

This subject continues the integrated and inter-disciplinary approach to the study of body system function and dysfunction in animals that was introduced in year one of the DVM course. Building on students’ prior knowledge of body system function and dysfunction and their experience of scientific and clinical reasoning, this subject introduces students to the structure and normal functioning of those body systems that contribute to locomotion. Dysfunction and the consequences of dysfunction will also be explored. Studies will encompass the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system and those elements of the integumentary system that contribute to locomotion. The development and organisation of the nervous system will be introduced in this unit, and the focus will then turn to those elements of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system essential for locomotory control. Students will be introduced to the clinical disciplines of gait analysis and lameness assessment, orthopaedics, diagnostic imaging and anatomic pathology as they relate to these systems. Using case-based teaching approaches, they will apply their understanding of system structure, function and dysfunction to authentic situations that enhance the development of integrative clinical reasoning abilities.

Intended learning outcomes

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

  • Apply knowledge of microscopic, developmental and gross anatomy of the structures that contribute to locomotion in order to explain how the locomotory structures enable animals to stand and move
  • Apply knowledge of locomotory anatomy to the identification of normal structures in animals, tissues and diagnostic images, and to differentiate between abnormal and normal structures
  • Apply an understanding of pathological changes in the locomotory apparatus to predict the clinical manifestations of locomotory diseases, and to distinguish between the commonly caused diseases of bones, muscles, joints, spinal cord and peripheral nerves
  • Work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and apply an understanding of locomotory structure and function in order to analyse and interpret clinical problems related to this system in animals

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: 24 January 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Satisfactory completion of all subjects at DVM 1 level

Corequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
VETS90132 Veterinary Professional Practice 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
VETS90064 Veterinary Bioscience 2A 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: 24 January 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

2x written tests, equally weighted

  • 30 minutes (each)
From Week 2 to Week 1040%

Written examination

  • 2 hours
Hurdle requirement: Students must achieve a minimum mark of 40% in the written examination to be eligible to pass the subject		During the examination period60%

Aggregate mark

Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the subject on aggregate mark.		N/A

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorChristina Murray
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours43 hours of lectures, practical classes and case studies
    Total time commitment100 hours
    Teaching period27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023
    Last self-enrol date10 March 2023
    Census date31 March 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023
    Assessment period ends23 June 2023

    Semester 1 contact information

    cmmurray@unimelb.edu.au

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).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseDoctor of Veterinary Medicine

Last updated: 24 January 2023