Unit information: Animal Health Science 1 in 2014/15

Unit name	Animal Health Science 1
Unit code	VETS10012
Credit points	0
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. Frankie MacMillan
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	Animal Health Science Foundation, VETS10300 Animal Management, VETS14000 Professional Studies 1
School/department	Bristol Veterinary School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit explores the integrated structure and function of body systems in 3 elements: ‘Cardiovascular and Respiratory’, ‘Alimentary and Renal’, ‘Endocrinology and Reproduction’. The unit aims to:

• Provide students with knowledge of healthy body structures and their function
• Enable students to understand mechanisms which govern the functions of body systems and control
• Link the underpinning science of animal health to pathological processes and clinical cases as appropriate
• Develop students’ capacity for lifelong learning and to foster an understanding of the importance of basic science in clinical practice

Please note – This unit is taught from week 7 onwards. Weeks 1-6 are dedicated to the introductory unit Animal Health Science Foundation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students will:

• Have integrated their knowledge of the structure and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, alimentary, renal, reproductive and endocrine systems, for common domestic species and will appreciate the relationships between the systems, the clinical relevance of this knowledge and the application to the live animal
• Understand the structure and function of the cardiovascular system
• Understand the structure and function of the respiratory system and have a basic knowledge of the principles of cellular respiration
• Understand the structure and function of the alimentary tract and have an appreciation of the basic principles underpinning animal nutrition
• Understand the processes of digestion, energy homeostasis and metabolism
• Understand the structure and function of the renal system and its role in homeostasis
• Understand the principles of communication via hormones including the production and effects of hormones
• Have an understanding of reproductive processes, the development of the mammalian body and genetics

Teaching Information

• Lectures
• Practical classes (laboratory and dissection)
• Group work on integrated directed self-education (IDSE) task
• Facilitated small and large group activities
• Technology enhanced learning

Assessment Information

Summative examinations

Mid-sessional examination

Students will sit a mid-sessional examination in January consisting of a written/computer-based examination to test knowledge, understanding, data interpretation and problem solving skills, and an integrated spot test. This examination will count for 10% of the AHS1 unit mark (7.5% written/computer-based, 2.5% spot test).

End of unit examination

Students will sit an examination at the end of the year consisting of two written/computer-based papers and a written/computer-based integrated spot test. These will test knowledge and understanding of material covered in the Animal Health Science 1 elements as well as interpretation and problem solving skills. Additionally there will be integrated structure and function (ISF) orals (which will test the ability to integrate and apply material across the disciplines using a defined examination structure and marking criteria) and two IDSE tasks (related to review of clinical and scientific evidence) and pre- and post-practical tests in eBiolabs. Assessments may also draw on material delivered in Animal Health Sciences Foundation. Assessments will examine all the intended learning outcomes.

Overall unit mark is made up of:

• Mid-sessional - 10%
• Written/computer-based 1 - 30%
• Written/computer-based 2 - 20%
• Written/computer-based ISpot - 10%
• ISF Orals - 10%
• IDSE - 10%
• eBiolabs - 10%

Formative assessment

Students will have regular formative assessment throughout the unit with questions presented in lectures (e.g. using TurningPoint) and / or available online via Blackboard. There will be formative spot questions before both mid-sessional and end of year examinations. There will be a practice ISF viva and students will receive guidance and feedback on coursework, including eBioLabs and IDSE tasks.

Passing AHS1 is a requirement for progression to Year 2.

There will be an opportunity to re-sit the examinations in September. Marks for coursework will be carried forward to the resit examination.

Reading and References

The unit integrates the traditional disciplines of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry and therefore reading related to each of these is recommended:

• Dyce KM, Sack WO, and Wensing CJG, Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy, Saunders Co. 2nd edition, or
• Pasquini C, Spurgeon T and Pasquini S, Anatomy of Domestic Animals; Systemic and Regional Approach, Sudz Publishing

• Sjaastad, Hove and Sand, Physiology of Domestic Animals, or
• Cunningham, Text book of Veterinary Histology
• Burkitt et al. Wheaters Functional Histology

• Hames & Hooper, BIOS Instant Notes in Biochemistry (4th Ed) Garland Science
• Baynes and Dominiczak, Medical Biochemistry (3rd Ed) Mosby Elsevier