2008 Units of Study - Year 3

Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Science is the study of normal and abnormal behaviours in domestic and captive species. Animal Behaviour is one of the core knowledge areas for veterinarians because it facilitates the recognition of disease states and helps veterinarians to make informed comment on animal welfare issues. Additional training in the area would be required for those aspiring to become specialist veterinary behaviour therapists. The Unit of Study draws on knowledge of many aspects of animal husbandry, evolutionary biology and physiology, pharmacology and psychology. The course focuses on the importance of understanding ethology, learning theory and trainers' techniques and includes demonstrations from expert animal handlers and trainers.

Veterinary Microbiology encompasses veterinary bacteriology, virology, mycology and the newly discovered microscopic agents such as prions. It uses clinical cases and practical examples to explore the role of these microorganisms as agents of disease in companion and domestic animals. The study of veterinary microbiology is based on an understanding of the structure and morphology of bacteria, viruses and fungi of veterinary significance as well as the pathological and immunological processes taught in Principles of Disease. Veterinary microbiology helps to prepare students for Animal Disease, clinical subjects and life in veterinary practice.

Veterinary Parasitology is a study of the common diseases of companion and commercial animals caused by protozoan, nematode, platyhelminth, insect and acarine parasites. The course includes the biology of parasites, and the pathogenesis, diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and control of parasitic diseases. Veterinary Parasitology assumes an understanding of basic biological principles, and knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of animals. The unit is a preparation for Animal Disease (VETS3038).

Veterinary Pathology is the study of disease in animals and includes learning skills to understand and recognise disease in a range of animal species. The unit is designed to focus the learner on the diagnostic use of pathology in cases of animal disease, while providing an essential basis to the important features of pathophysiology of the major organ systems. Pathology is one of the core knowledge areas for veterinarians if they wish to become a good diagnostician. There is an emphasis on gross and microscopic descriptive skills, as well as interpretive skills to the level of morphological (pathological processes) and aetiological diagnoses. The unit of study is a practically-orientated systemic pathology unit that builds on the knowledge of normal structure and function, general pathology and agents of disease, developed in Years 1, 2 and 3 of the degree. VETS2013 Principles of Disease is a prerequisite for this unit of study. While pathology of the major domesticated species forms the majority of the unit of study, some aspects of comparative pathology of other species including aquaculture species will also be included. General principles of systemic pathology and pathophysiology learnt in this unit of study will allow the learner to approach disease problems in any animal species. The Integrative Case-based Applied Pathology (ICAP) modules are self-directed and assisted learning exercises that strongly integrate the theoretical and practical skills of pathology learnt in this unit of study with preclinical and paraclinical knowledge in a relevant clinical diagnostic setting.

Pharmacology is the study of the safe use of drugs in the therapy and prevention of animal diseases. Toxicology refers to pharmacologically active toxins which adversely affect animals. These subjects build on knowledge learnt in Chemistry, Cell Biology and Veterinary Physiology and provides the basis to understand how pharmacological agents work at their site of action and how they behave in the body. In order to link the diseases of animals and their therapy the course runs parallel with Units of Study in Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary Microbiology and Veterinary Parasitology. The application of knowledge learnt in Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology is a major component of clinical veterinary science. The Unit covers the principles of drug action and then deals with a range of drug classes pertinent to veterinary science and the peculiarities of drugs in the core species.

This unit extends and integrates knowledge in Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary Microbiology, Veterinary Pathology and Veterinary Pharmacology. The Unit is presented in a series of disease cases in a herd or individual animal. For each case students work through causative agents, differential diagnosis, diagnostic techniques and arrive at treatment and control solutions. The course includes diseases caused by a wide range of infectious organisms, as well as nutritional and genetic disease in a range of animals of veterinary interest. Linked to each case is a major topic which is one theme in Veterinary Public Health (epidemiology, zoonoses, hygiene) or therapy. The cases are also linked to Professional Practice themes.

This unit provides students with material to aid their understanding of financial and legal perspectives in the management of cases and scenarios typical of veterinary practice life. There is a focus upon the legislative environment through a preliminary study of the various Acts and other legislation pertaining to the practice of veterinary science. Other perspectives such as implications for practice management and finance are also developed through scenarios linked to clinical material presented in other units of study this semester. Classes comprise student presentations supported by talks from appropriate authorities, lectures and tutorials. The majority of learning for this unit of study is completed in groups and hence there is an additional emphasis upon the development of teamwork skills and their application to veterinary practice.

Veterinary Clinical Science is the first Unit of several which develop skills in the clinical sciences. It builds on all of the preclinical Units and precedes a species-based approach to clinical issues. This unit of study is designed to impart basic skills in imaging, anaesthesia, surgery and medicine using relevant clinical case material.

Veterinary Public Health encompasses 3 topics: veterinary epidemiology, food safety and zoonoses. Knowledge of these allows veterinarians to play a vital role in maintaining human health. Veterinary Epidemiology which is the study of disease patterns provides understanding of the occurrence of human and animal disease necessary for effective control. Veterinarians have an increased role in Food Safety from clinical practice to food standards regulation. There will be a number of practical classes to prepare students for their compulsory extramural visit to an abattoir during the following 12 months. Zoonoses are important for veterinary occupational health and safety and for the health of our clients. The course in Veterinary Public Health builds on Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary Microbiology and Veterinary Parasitology and runs concurrently with Animal Disease and Professional Practice 3. Topics are dealt with in the context provided by the Animal Disease cases.