VETS6207: Semester 2, 2024

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units VETS6207 Semester 2 2024 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

VETS6207: Research and Enquiry 2B

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit will build on previous Research and Enquiry units in Year 1 and 2 of the DVM. It will consolidate and extend student skills relevant to the planning and conduct of research, and to applications of enquiry and investigation encountered across units in Year 3 and rotation placements in Year 4. Skills in evidence based practice will be extended to the evaluation and conduct of systematic reviews relevant to a clinical question; consideration of the investigation of outbreaks involving multiple premises and the application of surveillance to inform evaluation of disease risk; and in communication to identification of communication tools appropriate for conveying research outcomes to specific target audiences. Awareness of ethical issues in research will be extended to research that involves sourcing data from people and the requirements for a human ethics application. Each student will prepare a project brief for research in an area of the veterinary science of interest to the student and receive feedback on the proposed work. Where appropriate, this unit will integrate with VETS6208 Principles of Animal Disease B by utilizing content and examples across aligned modules.

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 and VETS6201 and VETS6202 and VETS6203 and VETS6204
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Victoria Brookes, victoria.brookes@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jan Slapeta, jan.slapeta@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Jenny-Ann Toribio, jenny-ann.toribio@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Anne Quain, anne.quain@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Project brief Written assignment	40%	Week 07 Due date: 06 Sep 2024 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Investigation and communication assignment Written assignment	60%	Week 13 Due date: 03 Nov 2024 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Project brief: this task relates to Module 1 and links to preparation for R&E in DVM year 3
Investigation and communication task: this task relates to Modules 2 and 3. Students to work though an online case.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

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:

Late submission In accordance with the 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.

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 -01	Introduction to Unit of Study	Lecture (1 hr)
Week -01	What's happening in SSVS Research	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	Literature reviews	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Research Dissemination	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Self-guided study	Project (2 hr)
Week 03	Human ethics	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Outbreak Investigation: Characterising Outbreaks	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Outbreak investigations: Tools / application of tools	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Outbreak investigation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Self-guided study	Project (3 hr)
Week 10	Introduction to evidence based veterinary public health	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Surveillance and Disease Modelling	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Risk Assessment	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

It is expected that students attend (a) all assessments, b) at least 90% of lectures; and (c) all Required Learning Activities (RLAs) which are practical classes, tutorials, research workshops as part of the curriculum. You are expected to come prepared to engage and participate in classes and tutors will be expected to question you. Discussion in tutorials will demonstrate your ability to communicate scientific and health information in an effective manner.

The School of Veterinary Science will monitor attendance at RLAs using the University’s Student Relationship Engagement System (SRES) or similar. Absence, from more than 10% of RLAs of any course constitutes failure to make satisfactory progress for the purposes of the Coursework Policy 2014 and may lead to the award of a fail grade for the unit of study. Irrespective of the reason for absence or type of required learning activity missed, it is a student’s responsibility to lodge an application for Special Consideration and to ensure all relevant learning outcomes associated with the missed activities are addressed (to the satisfaction of the respective UoS coordinator). If you miss an RLA, an application must be submitted to the online Special Consideration unit.

All assessment tasks must be completed to pass this unit of study.

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.

Required readings

Textbook
Thrusfield, M. (2007). Veterinary Epidemiology. Oxford: Blackwell. 3rd edition.

Note: An online version of this book can be accessed via the University Library; a later version is available as a hardcopy.

Additional resources list can be found on Canvas

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. design and conduct an investigation to generate knowledge that will inform disease control and prevention in an ethical manner
LO2. synthesise and communicate scientific and health information in an effective manner to a target audience.

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) - 39. Critically review and evaluate evidence from traditional and digital resources, aligned to evidence-based veterinary practice. 40. Contribute as appropriate to the advancement and dissemination of veterinary knowledge to improve the quality of animal care and public health.
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - 39. Critically review and evaluate evidence from traditional and digital resources, aligned to evidence-based veterinary practice. 40. Contribute as appropriate to the advancement and dissemination of veterinary knowledge to improve the quality of animal care and public health.

Responding to student feedback

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

Adjustments to assignments to improve formats were made following 2023 feedback.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

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

Required readings

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