Outline

Overview

Mastering essential clinical competencies and the application of the problem-oriented approach is essential for the transition into clinical practice. This unit of study will consolidate the skills and knowledge from DVM1 and DVM2 in a case-based approach to the diagnosis and treatment of common clinical syndromes in small animals (cats & dogs). An integrated multi-disciplinary approach will be used to highlight the importance and interrelatedness of all aspects of clinical practice (medicine, surgery, anaesthesia, behaviour, pharmacology and diagnostic imaging) in case management. The unit will provide grounding in the basic principles of diagnosis and treatment of neurological, ophthalmological, cardiorespiratory, endocrinological, musculoskeletal, haematological and oncological conditions. It focuses on developing the students' day one skills and professional attitude required for their clinical placements. Practical classes and small group learning will be included in the teaching of this unit to allow students to develop clinical thinking, practical skills and communication proficiencies.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	VETS6101 and VETS6102 and VETS6103 and VETS6104 and VETS6105 and VETS6106 and VETS6107 and VETS6108 and VETS6201 and VETS6202 and VETS6203 and VETS6204 and VETS6205 and VETS6206 and VETS6207 and VETS6208 and VETS6303
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Craig Ruaux, craig.ruaux@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Peter Bennett, peter.bennett@sydney.edu.au
	Christine Griebsch, christine.griebsch@sydney.edu.au
	Stacey Brady, stacey.brady@sydney.edu.au
	Sophia Morse, sophia.morse@sydney.edu.au
	Wendy Baltzer, wendy.baltzer@sydney.edu.au
	Lara Boland, lara.boland@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final exam No turn-back examination comprising short questions.	45%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Active participation in all RLAs 100% participation with Required Learning Activities (RLAs)	0%	Ongoing	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
In-semester test (Record+)	Mid-semester exam Case based Short answer/Extended answer no turn back.	55%	Week 09 Due date: 04 Oct 2022 at 09:00	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = Type B final exam ? = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

Material will be assessed via online examinations using ProctorU. These examinations are clinical case based, no-turn-back, short answer/essay questions.

In order to achieve a passing grade for the unit as a whole, a passing grade must be achieved in EACH OF the Intrasemester and Final examinations.

Grading for the unit as a whole, and for each of the Intrasemester and Final examinations, is applied using the common result grades set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

Within each no-turn-back question, the student may be required to:

Identify clinical problems from description of history and physical examination findings provided
Generate differential diagnosis lists relevant to the problems identified
Interpret relevant clinical test results and/or diagnostic imaging findings provided for the case
Determine a most likely diagnosis
Describe rational plans for management of the patient, based on the diagnosis obtained
Be able to describe the prognosis for the patient

Not all of the above bullet points may be required in all cases, students will be guided by progress within the question.

Assessment criteria

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

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory 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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	CAWS 3: The Community Animal Welfare Scheme Student led Desexing Program	Practical (8 hr)
	CAWS 4: The Community Animal Welfare Scheme Student led Desexing Program	Practical (8 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory	Practical (2 hr)
	Orthopaedics 3 (bandaging)	Practical (2 hr)
	Orthopaedics 2	Practical (4 hr)
	Neurology. Case studies on spinal disease, motor neuron disease and brain disease	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Neurology. Case studies on spinal disease, motor neuron disease and brain disease	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Endocrinology - PU/PD case studies	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Endocrinology - Hypoglycaemia case studies	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Oncology/Haematology Tutorial 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Oncology/Haematology 3	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory 3	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Orthopaedics 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Orthopaedics 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Endocrinology - Hyperadrenocorticism	Lecture (1 hr)
	Endocrinology - Hypoadrenocorticism	Lecture (1 hr)
	Endocrinology - Hypothyroidism	Lecture (1 hr)
	Endocrinology - Calcium Disorders	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Orthopaedics 3	Lecture (2 hr)
	Orthopaedics 4	Lecture (1 hr)
	Orthopaedics 5	Lecture (1 hr)
	Onc/Haem - Fundamental principles of managing the cancer patient	Lecture (1 hr)
	Onc/Haem - Biological behaviours of common cancers in dogs and cats	Lecture (1 hr)
	Onc/Haem - Chemotherapy - principles and WHS implications	Lecture (1 hr)
	Onc/Haem - Managing the complications of cancer and its treatment	Lecture (1 hr)
	Onc/Haem - Coagulation disorders	Lecture (1 hr)
	Oncology/Haematology - Anaemia	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	ECC - Cardiopulmonary Resucitation	Lecture (1 hr)
	ECC - Acid Base Disorders Lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Oncology/Haematology - Immunological Disease Principles	Lecture (1 hr)
	Oncology/Haematology - Immune Suppression	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Orthopaedics 6	Lecture (1 hr)
	Orthopaedics 7	Lecture (1 hr)
	Endocrinology - Diabetes Mellitus	Lecture (1 hr)
	Endocrinology - Insulin Resistance and DKA	Lecture (1 hr)
	Endocrinology - Feline Hyperthyroidism	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Ophthalmology 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Ophthalmology 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Ophthalmology 3	Lecture (1 hr)
	Opthalmology 4	Lecture (1 hr)
	Ophthalmology 5	Lecture (1 hr)
	Ophthalmology 6	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Ophthalmology	Practical (2 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory 3	Lecture (1 hr)
	Neurology spinal cord disease 1-3	Lecture (3 hr)
	Neurology brain disease, seizure disorders and anticonvulsant therapy 1-2-3 TL	Lecture (3 hr)
	Oncology/Haematology 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
	ECC - Clinical toxicology	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Neurology - Motor Unit disease	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Cardiorespiratory 4	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory 5	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory 6	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cardiorespiratory 7	Lecture (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

To successfully achieve a pass grae for VETS6309 you must comply with the attendance requirements as per the DVM Attendance Provisionshttps://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/12002/files/5241492/download?wrap=1.

Any required learning activities are identified online in Canvas.

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 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. Develop diagnostic and treatment plans for the management of key disease syndromes in small animals. Organ systems/disorders taught in this unit include cardiorespiratory, endocrinological, haematological, oncological, emergency and critical care, ophthalmic, neurologic and orthopaedic.
LO2. Apply diagnostic methods and techniques (physical examination, clinical pathology, diagnostic imaging) to formulate frameworks for the investigation of common disease syndromes of specific body systems (as per nr. 1 above) in small animals.
LO3. Apply and integrate the general principles of surgery to the management of specific body system (as per nr. 1 above) diseases in small animals.

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 Attributes - 1. Scientific method at a level adequate to provide a rational basis for present veterinary practice, and to assimiliate the advances in knowledge which will occur over their working life 10. To collect, organise and analyse information in relation to specific problems, assessing its validity and reaching probabilistic judgements 2. The normal structure, function and development of animals, their interactions with their environment and the factors which may disturb these 3. The underlying basis of health and disease in a broad range of species 4. Fundamental clinical skills in a broad range of species American Veterinary Medical Association - 1. comprehensive patient diagnosis (problem solving skills), appropriate use of diagnostic testing, and record management 2. comprehensive treatment planning including patient referral when indicated European Coordination Committee for Veterinary Training (EECVT) Day One Competencies - 1.18. Develop appropriate treatment plans and administer treatment in the interests of the patients and with regard to the resources available. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Day One Competencies - 19. Develop appropriate treatment plans and administer treatment in the interests of the patients and with regard to the resources available.
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Attributes - 11. To perform basic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures 4. Fundamental clinical skills in a broad range of species 9. The ability to acquire information from and about clients and perform and record a clinical examination of their animals and to store and retrieve such information American Veterinary Medical Association - 1. comprehensive patient diagnosis (problem solving skills), appropriate use of diagnostic testing, and record management European Coordination Committee for Veterinary Training (EECVT) Day One Competencies - 1.17. Perform a complete clinical examination and demonstrate ability in clinical decision-making. 1.21. Collect, preserve and transport samples, select appropriate diagnostic tests, interpret and understand the limitations of the test results. 1.23. Understand the contribution that imaging and other diagnostic techniques can make in achieving a diagnosis. Use basic imaging equipment and carry out an examination effectively as appropriate to the case, in accordance with good health and safety practice and current regulations. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Day One Competencies - 18. Perform a complete clinical examination. 22. Collect, preserve and transport samples, select appropriate diagnostic tests, interpret and understand the limitations of the test results. 23. Communicate clearly and collaborate with referral and diagnostic services, including providing an appropriate history.
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Attributes - 11. To perform basic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures 4. Fundamental clinical skills in a broad range of species American Veterinary Medical Association - 4. basic surgery skills and case management European Coordination Committee for Veterinary Training (EECVT) Day One Competencies - 1.29. Perform aseptic surgery correctly. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Day One Competencies - 31. Perform aseptic surgery correctly.

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

VETS6309: Small Animal Practice B

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camden, 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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect