University of Sydney Handbooks - 2018 Archive

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Veterinary Medicine

 

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2014, the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended), the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015 and the Academic Honesty Procedures 2016. Up to date versions of all such documents are available from the Policy Register: http://sydney.edu.au/policies.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course title

MAVETMED-01

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

 

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time.

3 Master's type

The master’s degree in these resolutions is a professional master's course.

4 Admission to candidature

With approval from the Dean, available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria:
(a)
Admission to the degree requires a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification, and completion of one semester of study in general chemistry (physical and inorganic), organic chemistry, biology and biochemistry.
(b)
Applicants must submit a veterinary science admission statement including relevant work experience and animal handling experience.
(c)
English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English.
(d)
If some applicants are ranked equally according to the above criteria, the Faculty may further rank applicants according to the demonstration of their aptitude for the practice of veterinary medicine as assessed at an interview and make recommendations to the Dean for admission accordingly.

5 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in the table for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
(2)
To qualify for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine a candidate must complete a prescribed program of 192 credit points, and:
(3)
the prescribed extramural placements including:
(a)
6 weeks of preparatory clinical placements and:
(b)
12 weeks of farm placements

6 Progression rules

(1)
Candidates for the degree may enrol in the units of study prescribed for Year 2 of candidature only after completion of Year 1.
(2)
Candidates for the degree may enrol in the units of study prescribed for Year 3 of candidature only after completion of Year 1 and Year 2.
(3)
Candidates for the degree may enrol in the units of study prescribed for the final year of candidature only after completion of Year 1, and Year 2 and Year 3.

7 Reassessment

Students enrolled in a postgraduate unit of study prescribed for Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 or Year 4 of candidature of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, who fail one unit of study only within a semester may be offered the opportunity for re-assessment for the failed unit of study.
(a)
The scope of the re-assessment will encompass all topics and learning outcomes within the unit of study. The methods used for re-assessment may differ from those used in the original delivery of the unit.
(b)
Re-assessment will only be offered to eligible students on the dates prescribed in the year schedule, and it is the student's responsibility to be available to attend at these times.
(c)
The maximum mark awarded for a unit of study in these circumstances will be Pass (50 - PS for units of study with Mark and Grade assessment type or SR for units of study with Grade only (Pass/Fail) assessment type).
(d)
Students who have been awarded an Absent Fail grade for a unit of study will not be eligible for re-assessment for that unit of study.

8 Award of the degree

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is awarded as a Pass degree only.

Course Overview

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is structured as a four year program with learning integrated across units of study in each year.

Clinical case examples are used throughout the program to demonstrate the relevance of each topic in understanding the complexities of animal diseases including their diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Research training is embedded throughout the course, to ensure students are proficient users and creators of research.

Training in professional and clinical skills forms an essential part of the course program, commencing in DVM Year 1 and consisting of interactive small group practical classes and intra- and extramural placements.

Final year is dedicated entirely to work-integrated learning where students undertake intra and extramural clinical placements, in addition to opportunities for placements in non-clinical sectors of the veterinary profession.

Year 1 Function of the Normal Animal Body and Year 2 Principles and Approach to Clinical Disease

Year 1 employs a body systems approach to learning about the basic veterinary sciences (anatomy, physiology, and histology) within a medical context.

During Year 2, students will develop skills in disease investigation by examining common disease syndromes and investigating the causes of disease (pathobiology, infectious diseases, pharmacology).

During Years 1 and 2, three days are timetabled for learning and teaching activities at the Camperdown campus per week. Aspects of all major disciplines are introduced via the following on-campus activities:

  • small and large group tutorials
  • case-based scenarios
  • interactive lectures related to the current topic
  • laboratory and computer practical sessions
  • interactive online learning.

Two days per week comprise practical and professional skills training in small group situations:

  • animal handling, personal safety and protection
  • basic surgical and laboratory skills
  • clinical consultation skills
  • clinic visits in the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

These activities take place at a range of locations including the University Farms, Camden Campus teaching facilities, University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals (Camperdown and Camden campuses), and the clinical skills lab (Camperdown campus). Students will also visit the University farm at Arthursleigh.

Animal husbandry placements commence during the second semester and must be completed by the end of second year.

Year 3: Animal Health and Disease Management

Building on the knowledge and skills attained during years 2 and 3, students will develop an advanced approach to maintaining health and managing disease across the major companion, exotic and production animal species. Third year is mostly based at the Camden campus, with some learning and teaching activities based at the Camperdown campus.

Preparatory clinical placements in which students spend time in private external veterinary practices must be completed by the end of third year.

Year 4: Professional Placements Program

Year 4 is a capstone experience combining intramural (in University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals) and extramural (in industry and private veterinary practices) placements. These extramural placements may be taken at any approved Australian or international industry or private veterinary practice.

These placements enable students to gain workplace experience in a broad range of small animal, large animal and industry situations in preparation for introduction to the workforce following graduation.

All students are required to undertake rotations at University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals (Camperdown and Camden campuses), extramural small animal and rural mixed practices, the Livestock Health and Pest Authority and at other sites on nomination.

Students are responsible for funding their transport and accommodations expenses to complete each rotation.

Practical and clinical professional experience

Clinical professional experience

The Sydney School of Veterinary Science maintains teaching hospitals at Camperdown and Camden campuses, where students and veterinarians work together in a clinical teaching and learning environment.

Referral and primary accession cases are seen at both sites, and the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Camden also provides veterinary services to farms in the region. A wide range of companion animals, farm animals, racing animals, exotic and native wildlife species are seen.

Visiting specialists complement school specialists in most disciplines in providing an excellent learning environment for veterinary students. Knowledge of medicine, surgery, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging, clinical pathology and production animal issues are developed with small group teaching.

Practical work requirements

Students are required to complete an extramural studies program of practical work in pre- clinical (animal husbandry) and preparatory clinical (veterinary practice) placements during vacation periods from Year 1 to Year 3.

Students are also required to attend a placement at an abattoir in Year 3 or 4.

In Year 4, students complete a minimum of 42 weeks of clinical rotations at approved extramural sites and the University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals (Sydney and Camden).

The extramural studies program meets requirements set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and is an essential component of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. All arrangements for placements in these programs are made through the School Office.

Accreditation

The school holds and maintains continuous accreditation through the transition to a new veterinary program.

Graduates of accredited programs are immediately eligible for registration with the Veterinary Practitioners Board in each state and territory in Australia.

The course is also recognised internationally by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK) and is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Students graduating from an AVMA-accredited school have their degree recognised in North America and are entitled to sit the US National Veterinary Licensing Examinations.

To maintain international accreditation, the school must constantly monitor, critically evaluate and improve the quality of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum, both in learning and assessment methods, teaching facilities and graduate outcomes.

This means the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program meets the highest international standards and is constantly being reviewed and improved as the profession changes. Graduates of the University of Sydney veterinary program can go on to work internationally with confidence that they have completed a rigorous and internationally scrutinised course.