VET SC 7306RW - DVM Elective Topics

Roseworthy Campus - Summer - 2015

This course will allow students to select an elective from a list of topics offered by the School annually.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code VET SC 7306RW
    Course DVM Elective Topics
    Coordinating Unit School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    Term Summer
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Roseworthy Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 7 hours per day for 3 week intensive block
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites Some topics will require specific core Level III rotations
    Restrictions Available to DVM students only
    Assessment Attendance, on-rotation assessment, Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine review
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Stephen Pyecroft

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 To increase the knowledge and skills associated with a particular aspect of veterinary medicine/science
    2 To be able to critically appraise a topic based on an important aspect of the elective topic using the principles of evidence-based veterinary medicine
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1, 2
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 2
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1, 2
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1, 2
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1, 2
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1, 2
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The elective course will cover a continuous 3 week period. Within this time, students will be expected to attend sessions as appropriate and required.

    Some out of hours and weekend work may be expected within the period.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students will participate in a variety of activities to allow for a broad exposure to the elements of their topic of choice. These activities can include clinical rounds, case reviews, tutorials, surgery, farm visits, laboratory activities, diagnostics cases, participation in a research project, etc. Students will be expected to prepare daily for their activities. An average day will consist of approx 8 hours, with additional preparation time dependent on the natureof the activities. The workload for each elective will have to be approved by the SAVS LTCC.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Content will vary with individual elective topics and topic availability will vary between years. A list of available topics will be provided by the beginning of each year for students to nominate a preference.

    Examples of available elective topics are:

    Emergency and critical care in equine medicine

    Pre-requisite rotation: VET SC 7300RW Clinics in Equine Studies

    Learning objectives:
    To examine and evaluate emergency and critical care cases including physical examination, laboratory & other diagnostic testing and emergency procedures
    To monitor a critical care case and develop an advanced monitoring plan

    Syllabus:
    Basis of emergency and critical care
    Evaluation of emergency and critical care cases including physical examination, laboratory & other diagnostic testing and emergency procedures
    How to interpret, monitor and support a critical care horse with the goal of maintaining adequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and treating the underlying problem
    Mainstay of support: fluid therapy
    Determine and monitor hydration status
    Understand basic procedures of fluid therapy
    Determine which fluid products and equipment needed to develop and monitor fluid therapy plan
    Variable emergency and critical care cases
    Colic and other gastro-intestinal diseases including post-operative critical care
    Neonatal care
    Respiratory and cardiovascular critical care

    Veterinary Entrepreneurship & Leadership
    Pre-requisite rotation: N/A

    Learning objectives:
    To identify the attitudes, values, characteristics, behaviour, and processes associated with successful business and entrepreneurial behaviour
    To be able to articulate/develop a comprehensive assessment, feasibility report, proposition and/or plan for a veterinary business
    To be able to apply negotiation skills for resolving disputes and conflicts and management of change

    Syllabus:
    The elective will be a combination of face-to-face tutorials/workshops and on-line self-directed learning utilising components already developed by the Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre (Faculty of ECMS).

    Laboratory Animal Medicine
    Pre-requisite rotation: VET SC 7304RW Pathology & Diagnostic Services and VET SC 7303RW Comparative Diagnostic Imaging, Anaesthesia & Analgesia

    Learning objectives:
    To be able to explain the discipline of comparative medicine to a lay person and how it is distinct from the various species or discipline specialities that comprise it
    To understand the ethical review process and the role the veterinarian plays in it
    To demonstrate a basic knowledge of the biology of laboratory animals including, but not limited to, gestation periods, weaning ages, nutritional requirements
    To show a basic knowledge of common lab animal diseases which impact on animal welfare or research outcomes
    To be able to name commonly used animal models for major disease research areas (eg, cancer biology)
    To be able to advise a researcher on appropriate anaesthesia and analgesia for research use taking into consideration the various research, equipment and economic issues influencing this choice
    To understand health screening principles in order to be able to devise one for a facility, based on risk analysis, species, production status, etc

    Syllabus:
    The role of the laboratory animal veterinarian in research
    Review of the legislation related to animal research in Australia and common ethical frameworks
    Facility management – housing systems, biosecurity
    Animal models of human disease; techniques of experimentation
    Species medicine: mice, rats, rabbits, primates, amphibians & reptiles
    Basic biology, breeding systems, disease/health status, anaesthesia

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting HURDLE Learning Outcome
    Attendance/Participation Formative Throughout Course 0% YES 1
    Learning Objectives
    Summative
    Throughout Course 70% YES 1
    Critical Review Summative Throughout Course 30% YES 2
    Assessment Related Requirements
    HURDLES:

    To pass this course students must:
    1. Attend each full day of the elective course.
    · Students that fail the attendance hurdle will not be offered an additional or replacement assessment and will be required to repeat the rotation in its entirety.

    2. Achieve a minimum of 50% in the assessment of the Learning Objectives.

    3. Achieve a minimum of 50% in the Critical Review
    ·   Students that fail either of hurdles 2 or 3 will be provided with an additional piece of assessment.
    Assessment Detail
    Attendance & Participation (0%). Attendance at each day of the elective will be compulsory. Students will be able to apply for an approved absence with appropriate supporting documents, but must
    attend a minimum of 12 days (with approved absences) to be able to complete the course. Students absent without approval will automatically fail the course. Students will be expected to actively participate in the course activities.

    Learning Objectives (70%). Within each elective topic, individual supervisors will have prescribed
    learning objectives that students will be assessed against. Each set of learning objectives and their assessment strategy will have been pre-approved by the Program Co-ordinator & LTCC

    Critical Review (30%). Students will complete a critical review of up to 3000 words on an area
    based around an aspect of their elective topic using the principles of evidence-based veterinary medicine. Each review will be assessed by a rubric. The review will be due by the Monday morning following the
    completion of the course.
    Submission
    Late Submission

    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply.  A mark of zero will be allocated to late submitted assessment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.