| Unit name | Animal Health and the Veterinary Profession |
|---|---|
| Unit code | VETS10022 |
| Credit points | 0 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Mrs. Jenny Mason |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Not applicable |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
There are no co-requisite units. However, as specified by the RCVS and outlined in the Extra-Mural Studies (EMS) handbook, you will need to undertake EMS placements during vacation time. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
Not applicable |
| School/department | Bristol Veterinary School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
This unit has two co-leads: Jenny Mason and Sarah O'Shaughnessy.
Do you know what the healthy animal body is made of, how it works, and how it differs between species? Have you wondered what a dairy cow gets up to, or what sort of food different animals need? Have you wondered how vets make the many decisions they make every day? In this unit, you will learn about a range of species commonly encountered by vets, from cats to cows. You will learn about an animal's structure (anatomy) and its function (physiology and biochemistry). You will also start to develop your surgical skills with a scalpel in anatomy practicals. Alongside this you will learn about animal welfare and different animal management systems whilst gaining the knowledge and skills to safely handle and care for common species. Using real scenarios and case-based learning, you’ll develop essential veterinary skills: taking a history, identifying problems, and considering factors such as the spectrum of care, tailoring clinical management to individual circumstances. You will start to develop your professional identity, working both independently and as a team member in your studies and on placement.
This unit forms a solid foundation for the following four years of your course, as you start to develop the competences and attributes required of a veterinary surgeon. Understanding the normal structure and function of an animal means that you can later understand the significance of disease processes and the impact diseases have on animals. Developing essential animal handling and husbandry skills will enable you to optimise your learning, safely, on placements (Extra-Mural Studies) throughout the course. All of the teaching and assessment in BVSc1 is incorporated within this unit which you must pass for progression to BVSc2.
This unit will cover the anatomy and physiology of a range of body systems (cardiorespiratory, reproductive, endocrine, urinary and gastrointestinal) and the husbandry and handling of common domestic species (eg. dog, cat, horse, cow, sheep). You will start to learn about the responsibilities and expectations of becoming a veterinary professional. Coursework will include, for example "deep dive" activities to enable you to explore a selected area in depth. Teamwork skills will be developed through group tasks and case based learning.
Independent study and case-based learning will support you to develop professional and lifelong learning skills, and to apply knowledge to veterinary scenarios. You will start to consider what it means to be a vet, and to reflect on your emerging professional identity. Learning outcomes related to the programme's five vertical themes are outlined below.
Scientific foundations of veterinary medicine
Explain the normal structure and function from molecular to whole animal level, with an understanding of routine animal husbandry, behaviour, welfare and ethics, and be able to use appropriate sources of evidence.
Practical and clinical skills
Demonstrate safe handling of common species and perform basic husbandry procedures in a safe and biosecure manner, and start to consider approaches to professional communication.
Clinical and professional reasoning
Describe a logical approach to a case, applying your knowledge of body systems and management to common problems, and outline the ethical and other considerations underpinning professional decision-making across a broad spectrum of care.
Developing as a professional and lifelong learner
Outline the professional responsibilities of a veterinary surgeon, with consideration of professional identity development, health and safety in the workplace, the importance of teamwork and wellbeing, and strategies for lifelong learning.
Animals, people and planet
Describe and recognise key principles of applied animal welfare, sustainable farming practices and veterinary public health.
You will learn through a blend of online resources (such as videos, readings and worksheets) and in-person teaching. The online resources, many of which you will work through independently, will prepare you for a range of in-person teaching and facilitated case-based learning (where you will work through real veterinary scenarios in groups), practicals and quizzes. The teaching will be structured in blocks, with each block focussing on a different body system. Coursework and other tasks will provide opportunities for reflection and "deep dives" to focus on specific areas. As specified by the RCVS, and outlined in the Extra-Mural Studies (EMS) handbook, you will need to undertake EMS placements during vacation time.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. VETS10022).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
