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 and dogs). An integrated multidisciplinary approach will be used to highlight the importance and interrelatedness of all aspects of clinical practice (medicine, surgery, 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 VETS6301 and VETS6302 and VETS6303 and VETS6304 and VETS6305 and VETS6306 and VETS6307
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)	Wendy Baltzer, wendy.baltzer@sydney.edu.au
	Mary Thompson, mary.thompson@sydney.edu.au
	SARA RAVICINI, sara.ravicini@sydney.edu.au
	Samantha Livingstone, samantha.livingstone@sydney.edu.au
	Andrea Harvey, andrea.harvey@sydney.edu.au
	Christine Griebsch, christine.griebsch@sydney.edu.au
	Stacey Brady, stacey.brady@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Stella Vesovski, stella.vesovski@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam No turn-back examination comprising short questions.	50%	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:
Supervised test ?	Mid-semester exam Case based Short answer/Extended answer no turn back.	50%	Week 09 Due date: 23 Sep 2024 at 09:00	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Material will be assessed via written, paper-based examinations. The intrasemester examination will be administered at the Camden campus. These examinations are clinical case based, no-turn-back, and may include any of multiple choice, short answer, or essay questions.

In order to achieve a passing grade for the unit as a whole, a cumulative grade of 50% or more must be achieved.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

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.

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
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)
	Introductory Abdominal Ultrasonography	Practical (2 hr)
	Orthopaedics 1	Practical (8 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)
	Diagnostic Imaging of the Thorax 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Diagnostic Imaging of the Thorax 2	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)
	Diagnostic Imaging of the Thorax 3	Lecture (1 hr)
	Diagnostic Imaging of the Thorax 4	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Orthopaedics 6	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)
	Diagnostic Imaging of the Thorax 5	Lecture (1 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)

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 (D1Cs) - 1. Obtain an accurate and relevant history of the individual animal or animal group and its/their management and environment. 4. Identify and prioritise problems to develop differential diagnoses and a diagnostic plan, then interpret clinical and diagnostic evidence to establish a diagnosis. 5. Select appropriate diagnostic tests and techniques, including diagnostic imaging. Safely apply diagnostic techniques and safely collect, preserve and transport samples as applicable. Interpret results of diagnostics, accounting for their limitations. 6. Develop appropriate treatment and preventive plans and administer appropriate treatments
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - 1. Obtain an accurate and relevant history of the individual animal or animal group and its/their management and environment. 3. Perform a complete clinical examination relevant to presentation and context. 4. Identify and prioritise problems to develop differential diagnoses and a diagnostic plan, then interpret clinical and diagnostic evidence to establish a diagnosis. 5. Select appropriate diagnostic tests and techniques, including diagnostic imaging. Safely apply diagnostic techniques and safely collect, preserve and transport samples as applicable. Interpret results of diagnostics, accounting for their limitations.
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - 1. Obtain an accurate and relevant history of the individual animal or animal group and its/their management and environment. 11. Perform routine procedures, including surgeries, identifying associated indications and contraindications and adjusting the procedures as indicated. 3. Perform a complete clinical examination relevant to presentation and context. 4. Identify and prioritise problems to develop differential diagnoses and a diagnostic plan, then interpret clinical and diagnostic evidence to establish a diagnosis. 5. Select appropriate diagnostic tests and techniques, including diagnostic imaging. Safely apply diagnostic techniques and safely collect, preserve and transport samples as applicable. Interpret results of diagnostics, accounting for their limitations.

Responding to student feedback

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

For the offering this year there has been a change in the balance of assessment, addressing the issue that the intrasemester examination carried greater weight than the final examination. Examination durations have been reduced, and the grade is now established from cumulative scores across both examinations.

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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

VETS6309: Small Animal Practice B

Semester 2, 2024 [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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect