VET-20003 - Animal Health Sciences
Coordinator: Eleanor Vesty
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 45
Study Hours: 450
School Office: 01782 733928

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

An understanding of the various causes of disease is essential in the development of differential diagnoses and informs decision making on diagnostic testing and the methods of disease prevention and control. The role and responsibility of the vet in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease is informed and enhanced by a sound understanding of the underlying scientific concepts. This module will contain significant laboratory class content and problem-based learning to consolidate and contextualise the core module content.

Aims
The aims of this module are to:
1. Introduce students to the underlying scientific fields that inform prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease in animals
2. Give students an appreciation of the range of microorganisms and parasites that can cause disease
3. Describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind genetic, metabolic and age-related diseases
4. Show the range of diagnostic methods and explain the scientific basis of these and how this informs selection of the right method in practice
5. Evidence the contribution of the vet across fields such as public health, antimicrobial resistance and emerging technologies
6. Demonstrate to students that the role of the vet relies on a sound scientific understanding of multiple fields that affect animal health

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe and explain the nature of a range of animal diseases and how the underlying scientific understanding can be applied to animal health and welfare: 1,3
Describe how a range of parasitic, microbial, molecular and cellular mechanisms contribute to disease: 1,3
Apply scientific understanding of a range of laboratory tests and their implementation in veterinary diagnostics: 3
Evaluate the role of the vet in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease: 2,3

Study hours

Lectures - 122 hours
Practicals - 58 hours
Tutorials - 54 hours
Supervised online study (GOAL) - 54 hours
Independent Learning 162 Hours

School Rules

VET-10005 Animal Management for Health
VET-10001 Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 25%
Critical essay
Critical essay on cellular and molecular disorders of clinical relevance. Word limit of 1,500 words.

2: Poster Presentation weighted 25%
Poster presentation
Poster presentation on the current or future role of the vet in animal health sciences. Posters will be presented at a poster conference day. 15% of mark awarded on poster content and structure 10% of mark awarded on presentation and discussion of poster Formative peer assessment of poster included within Communication and Professional Skills module.

3: Exam weighted 50%
Written Exam
A combination of MCQ (single best answer and extended matching items) and short answer questions will sample all indicative content and understanding.