Outline

Overview

This unit will continue to build on previous Research and Enquiry 1A and 1B units of study. This unit will continue to expand students' appreciation of the contribution of research to the veterinary sciences and develop their skills in the synthesis and communication of new and existing knowledge. Where possible this unit will integrate with the UoS Principles of Animal Disease A VETS6204 by utilising content and examples from the relevant module/s as triggers to explore this unit`s themes. The themes for this unit are to i) synthesise an animal ethics proposal that complies with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes with an emphasis on the '3Rs' (reduction, replacement and refinement) of animal use; ii) elaborate on principles introduced in Research and Enquiry 1B to explore diagnostic test validation in a laboratory and field settings using pathogen susceptibility testing to anti-infective drugs as an exemplar and how the results are interpreted with reference to population data from both the animals and pathogens (with this theme culminating in consideration of the 'prudent use' of anti-infectives; iii) appreciate and utilise effective practices in the generation of visual communication tools and verbal presentation techniques and iv) explore the skills and tools applied to investigate a disease outbreak or herd problem involving one premise or event

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations
Credit points	3
Prerequisites ?	VETS6101 and VETS6102 and VETS6103 and VETS6104 and VETS6105 and VETS6106 and VETS6107 and VETS6108
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Kate Worthing, kate.worthing@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Merran Govendir, merran.govendir@sydney.edu.au
	Carola Venturini, carola.venturini@sydney.edu.au
	Kate Worthing, kate.worthing@sydney.edu.au
	Evelyn Hall, evelyn.hall@sydney.edu.au
	Nichola Calvani, nichola.calvani@sydney.edu.au
	Jan Slapeta, jan.slapeta@sydney.edu.au
	Rachael Gray, rachael.gray@sydney.edu.au
	Jenny-Ann Toribio, jenny-ann.toribio@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Caroline Marschner, caroline.marschner@sydney.edu.au
	Victoria Brookes, victoria.brookes@sydney.edu.au
	Ruth Zadoks, ruth.zadoks@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam 10 minutes reading time. MCQ and/or short responses, Exam 1 hr in duration	30%	Formal exam period	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Active participation in RLAs 100% participation with Required Learning Activities (RLAs)	0%	Ongoing	2 hour tutorials
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment A Written responses to questions	40%	Week 06 Due date: 28 Mar 2024 at 23:59	4 pages & extra page for bibliography
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment B Written responses to questions	30%	Week 11 Due date: 12 May 2024 at 23:59	3 pages & 1 extra page for bibliography
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Final exam: If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

A pass mark of at least 50% MUST be achieved for the final examination in order to pass the unit of study.

Note: In alignment with the DVM Attendance Provisions 2018 at the University of Sydney students are required to complete all Required Learning Activities (RLA’s) and assessment tasks.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with the University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 23:59 on the due date: 1) Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. 2) After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 02	Introduction to unit of study	Lecture (1 hr)
	Analysis of veterinary pharmacokinetic data	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Incorporating the 3 ‘R’s (Reduction, Replacement & Refinement) into experimental design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Introduction to prudent use of antimicrobials	Lecture (1 hr)
	Introduction to prudent use of antimicrobials	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Assessment A questions	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to antibacterial susceptibility testing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to antibacterial susceptibility testing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Principles to calculate sample size for research studies	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Principles to calculate sample size for research studies	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Know your poison: how to interpret flea control product lables	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Know your poison: creating comparative table from flea control product lables.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Haematological and biochemical analyte reference intervals	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Haematological and biochemical analyte reference intervals	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Limitations of bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility testing	Lecture (1 hr)
	Limitations of bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility testing	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Assessment B questions	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Assessment B questions	Independent study (3 hr)
Week 11	Scenarios of drench or parasite treatment failure and its management	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Scenarios of drench or parasite treatment failure and its management	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	The Investigation Process – when n>1 - single premise or event (1)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	The Investigation Process – when n>1 - single premise or event (1)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	The Investigation Process – when n>1 - single premise or event (2)	Tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Referencing guidelines: The default style referencing style recommended for the Sydney School of Veterinary
Science is Harvard-Flinders.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate factual and persuasive arguments for the study design in an animal ethics application to justify use of animals in a research study
LO2. test population data to predict the clinical status of an individual or a group of patients
LO3. propose principles to minimise selection of resistant microbes when antimicrobials are administered to an individual or group of animals
LO4. elaborate on analytical and exploratory (evidence based) approaches to investigate a disease or suboptimal productivity involving a single premise or event.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - 18. Implement and advise stakeholders on practices that promote animal welfare for an animal or group of animals. 22. Develop, evaluate, recommend, and practise protocols for biosecurity, biosafety and infection prevention and control (IPC). 25. Communicate effectively with clients, the public, professional colleagues, and responsible authorities, using language appropriate to the audience and context. 30. Act professionally and ethically, compliant with legal and regulatory requirements of the relevant veterinary statutory body. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 2.11. Communication skills 2.5. Disease prevention and control programs 2.8. Animal welfare 2.9. Veterinary legislation and ethics 3.1. Organisation of Veterinary Services 3.3. Management of contagious diseases 3.5. Application of risk analysis 3.7. International trade framework
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - 16. Assess and advise, at individual and population levels, on clinical and production factors such as the physical condition, welfare, nutritional status, performance and associated management factors of an animal/ group of animals. 17. Apply principles of population medicine and epidemiological skills to investigate veterinary problems. 19. Recognise suspicious signs of reportable biosecurity risks (endemic, exotic and zoonotic diseases) and take appropriate action, including notifying the relevant authorities. 8. Utilise traditional and digital technologies and information sources to inform patient care and manage health data. 9. Adapt and apply knowledge and skills to varied scenarios and contexts, including where information is incomplete. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 2.1. Epidemiology 2.2. Transboundary animal diseases 2.3. Zoonoses 2.8. Animal welfare 3.5. Application of risk analysis
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - 21. Use One Health principles in veterinary practice, promoting the health and safety of people and sustainability of the environment. 22. Develop, evaluate, recommend, and practise protocols for biosecurity, biosafety and infection prevention and control (IPC). 24. Apply veterinary elements of food safety standards and practices throughout the production chain, including on the farm and during food processing. 30. Act professionally and ethically, compliant with legal and regulatory requirements of the relevant veterinary statutory body. 32. Prescribe, dispense and use medicines correctly and prudently, including recording and reporting adverse reactions, in accordance with legislation and current prescription guidelines. 38. Promote health and safety of patients, clients, colleagues and themselves in the veterinary setting, including applying risk management principles to practice. 40. Contribute as appropriate to the advancement and dissemination of veterinary knowledge to improve the quality of animal care and public health. 7. Tailor the diagnostic, treatment, preventive, and control plans when providing veterinary services, considering animal welfare, client expectations and economic contexts. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 2.5. Disease prevention and control programs 2.6. Food hygiene 2.7. Veterinary products 2.8. Animal welfare 2.9. Veterinary legislation and ethics 3.1. Organisation of Veterinary Services 3.3. Management of contagious diseases 3.4. Food hygiene (2) 3.5. Application of risk analysis 3.6. Research 3.7. International trade framework 3.8. Administration and management
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - 17. Apply principles of population medicine and epidemiological skills to investigate veterinary problems. 19. Recognise suspicious signs of reportable biosecurity risks (endemic, exotic and zoonotic diseases) and take appropriate action, including notifying the relevant authorities. 21. Use One Health principles in veterinary practice, promoting the health and safety of people and sustainability of the environment. 24. Apply veterinary elements of food safety standards and practices throughout the production chain, including on the farm and during food processing. 39. Critically review and evaluate evidence from traditional and digital resources, aligned to evidence-based veterinary practice. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 2.1. Epidemiology 2.2. Transboundary animal diseases 2.3. Zoonoses 2.6. Food hygiene 3.4. Food hygiene (2) 3.5. Application of risk analysis 3.6. Research 3.7. International trade framework

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes to content have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Q-fever vaccination and completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

VETS6203: Research and Enquiry 2A

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect