Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science double degree is a six-year program that prepares graduates for a career as a registered veterinarian in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

CSU's Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science arose from the need of rural communities for more veterinarians who wish to live and work in regional areas and who have the knowledge and skills to work with a broad range of animal species, from farm livestock to horses, companion animals and wildlife.

The course has been designed in close consultation with the veterinary industry to address these needs and aims to provide highly competent veterinary graduates with a strong commitment to animal health, welfare and research, and to the development and protection of animal industries. Graduates will be able to pursue a career as a veterinarian in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore or the United Kingdom.

Eligibility

Admission to this course is highly competitive, with over 400 applications received for the 60 available places each year. Successful applicants are able to demonstrate excellent academic achievements, as well as a genuine commitment to animals, livestock industries and to working in rural and regional communities.

Applicants are required to meet the following selection criteria:

• a high level of academic ability through previous studies. More about academic requirements
• an interest in and commitment to rural communities, veterinary science and animal production
• an understanding of the unique ethical and practical issues that confront veterinarians involved with rural practice and animal production
• the capacity to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

More about selection criteria

Applications open on August 1 and close on Friday 27 September for entry in 2014.

Please complete the eligibility checklist to establish whether you are eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science.

Credit

Credit for prior learning will be granted to eligible applicants. CSU does not normally expect students to repeat relevant study completed at an acceptable standard at university level, however, under normal circumstances credit will only be considered for the following subjects: ASC221 Animal Genetics, ASC273 Animal Nutrition, BCM210 Foundations & Techniques in Biochemistry and CHM104 Chemistry 1A (prerequisite for VSC226).

Credit eligibility will be conferred by the Subject Coordinator for each subject. Awarding of credit will not result in the shortening of the degree.

More information about credit and pathways.

Your course is recognised by industry

This course is fully accredited with the Australian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), the Veterinary Council of New Zealand and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the UK. This means that graduates of CSU's Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science will have achieved the necessary veterinary graduate attributes and will be eligible for registration as veterinarians in all states of Australia, in New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

To meet these professional expectations, CSU graduates must be able to demonstrate their ability to perform various animal handling, manipulative, therapeutic and diagnostic techniques.

Requirements for registration as a veterinarian

The Veterinary Surgeons Board may refuse to register a person not deemed fit to practice veterinary science by reason of infirmity, injury, mental or physical illness, habitual drunkenness or addiction to a deleterious drug. In order to meet and maintain accreditation standards with the AVBC, CSU is required to train and graduate students who are eligible to be registered as veterinarians.

This is a broad veterinary science degree; it is a requirement that graduates have the skills to practise veterinary medicine and surgery across all species of domestic and production animals, as well as native and wild animals. All students must demonstrate the ethical, physical and emotional capacity to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the level of competence required by the School in order to graduate and be registered as a veterinarian.

Honours

Completing an Honours degree provides you with the learning skills required to undertake research and develop enhanced critical thinking. It provides a stepping stone for further postgraduate study such as a PhD or animal health research, as well as an edge when presenting your CV for employment.

If you achieve a high academic grade (a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 or higher across all subjects studied in second, third and fourth years) you have the opportunity to transfer into the Honours stream at the beginning of fifth year.

Successful students will be included in a special program of Honours workshops and tutorials. You will have the opportunity to produce your own research contributing to the veterinary profession through a supervised research project, which may be published and provide opportunities to speak at professional conferences.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Workplace learning

What will I learn?

You will develop skills in the diagnosis and management of disease in all common species of farm animals (cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and fish) and companion animals (horses, dogs, cats, and others).
To achieve this, the course provides a solid grounding in agricultural production systems and the integration of nutrition, genetics, economics and epidemiology into the management of herds and flocks.

In addition to your scientific and technical training, you will also develop a range of life and business skills which will help you in your work as a rural veterinarian.

The course is broken into three phases.  Phase one takes place over years one, two and the first half of year three and consists mainly of traditional lectures and tutorials. This phase is the foundation of veterinary science and provides you with a high level of knowledge in relevant sciences including pathology, parasitology, microbiology, nutrition, reproduction and the integration of veterinary medicine into animal production systems.

Phase two takes place from the second half of year three, year four and the first half of year five. In this phase you have the opportunity to integrate all your prior learning in clinical, case-based contexts through a unique problem based learning (PBL) approach, internal rotations and in the spey clinic.  You will receive clinical teaching in surgery, anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, individual animal medicine and population medicine. You will develop the ability to solve problems in the health and disease management of individual animals, herds and flocks.

Your final phase, which takes place over the second half of year five and year six, fully prepares you to enter the workforce. You will cement your theoretical and practical knowledge through an extensive program of clinical rotations which take place in a wide variety of Veterinary practice settings.

How will I learn?

Your study will be based in a single rural site for the six years of your course. This creates a strong sense of collegiality between staff and students at all levels of the program. CSU also enjoys the support of an enthusiastic and interested rural community, ready access to a wide range of veterinary practices and farms, and the relaxed, enjoyable and affordable lifestyle which comes with living in a thriving regional centre of over 60,000 people.

The course has been designed to develop a well rounded foundation of knowledge and a well developed set of practical and communication skills. To achieve this you will study in a range of learning environments such as lectures, tutorials, self directed learning activities, practicals and workplace environments.

You will have the opportunity to develop very high level practical skills and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real life practice through a unique problem based learning program and through workplace learning opportunities.

Veterinary Science is an academically challenging course which requires a high level of self discipline. You should expect to spend a minimum of 50 hours per week in both structured and unstructured (self directed) learning tasks.

Workplace learning

CSU's Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science is unique in its focus on development of practical skills and client communication, particularly to agricultural business clients.  Throughout your course you will consistently have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real life cases.

Students begin learning in a real life practical environment in the CSU livestock facilities from first year where you animal handling pracs which includes cattle, sheep, horse, dog and cat handling.

From the second half of year one, you will also begin attending placements in a wide range of vet clinics, some of which will occur during your holidays, building up to continuous three week rotations at a wide range of clinics, which may include participation in after hours patient care in your final year and a half of study.

In your fourth year you will move into working with private commercial farms and in the equine and small animal teaching facilities during internal rotations. Internal rotations involve attending five different rotations which include dairy, farm animal, small animal, equine and clinical (anesthetics and diagnostic imaging) and prepares you for the transition from theory to practice which you begin in the second half of your fourth year.  

During this practical component students will see a wide range of cases, develop important diagnostic, animal handling and client communication skills as well as a thorough understanding and familiarity with the way different clinics operate, all of which will provide them with a competitive edge as a new graduate.

In the first three years, students are required to travel to veterinary practices within a radius of about 100km of Wagga Wagga. Students will either need a car of their own or will travel with another student who may expect some contribution for travel expenses. The University does not contribute to these costs.

In the last three sessions of the course students will travel to several off campus locations in three week blocks of clinical rotations. Some funding is available to assist with these additional expenses.

Facilities

Students are afforded the opportunity to learn in some of the best facilities of their kind in the world. The purpose-built facilities are on a relaxed and spacious campus in one of the best cities in regional Australia.

Some of the on campus facilities include:

• animal handling facilities
• campus farm and field sites
• a state-of-the-art pre-clinical centre which includes the anatomy laboratory and museum
• modern large animal hospital
• modern veterinary teaching hospital (small animals)
• state-of-the-art veterinary diagnostics laboratory
• equine centre
• practical classrooms
• cutting-edge nuclear medicine (gamma camera)
  

Admission requirements

Academic requirements

There are no formal prerequisites for the Veterinary Science course at CSU, but as it is a science based course, it is highly recommended that school leavers will have studied mathematics and chemistry at Year 12 level and university students will have studied a science based degree at university.

The following three points apply to any applicants who wish to be considered for entry into the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science.

• study must have been undertaken within the last 10 years
• there is no special pathway for mature aged students
• STAT test scores are not considered.

All applicants must be able to meet the selection criteria and also be able to meet one of the categories listed in the academic requirements. Approximately half the applicants to this course have previously studied at university.

School leavers, gap year students and university students who will not have completed one year full-time equivalent by the end of the current year

• a minimum ATAR of 90 for applicants who attended a metropolitan school, an OP of approximately 6 for Queensland students or an IB of approximately 33
• for applicants eligible to receive the CSU Regional Bonus, a minimum ATAR of 85 or an OP of approximately 8 for Queensland students. Applicants who attended a non-metropolitan school for their final two years of high school are eligible for the bonus.

Students who have previously attended university

Undergraduate applicants

• one or two years full-time equivalent - a minimum GPA of 5.1
• three or more years full-time equivalent - a minimum GPA of 4.8

Postgraduate applicants

All postgraduate courses must be satisfactorily completed or the applicable GPA achieved.

Honours

• Coursework Honours: GPA minimum of 5.0 (must have completed one year full-time equivalent)
• Research Honours: Honours Class 1

Master

• Coursework Master: GPA minimum of 4.8 (must have completed one year full-time equivalent)
• Completed Research Master

PhD

• Completed PhD

For consideration of other postgraduate qualifications not listed, please contact the Veterinary Science Admissions Officer by email: vetselections@csu.edu.au

Please note: A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 is equivalent to a Credit average. The GPA is an average over all sessions in which you studied. Your most recent degree will be considered.

Application process for Australian citizens and residents

As there is a high demand for entry into this course, please note that students are selected based on the selection criteria.

Applications open on 1 August and close on Friday 27 September for entry in 2014. Late applications will not be considered.

The application process involves three steps:

• apply through UAC - this course cannot be added to your UAC preferences after the UAC closing date
• complete and submit a Supplementary Application Form - this provides the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to animals, livestock industries and rural and regional communities
• if selected, attend an interview at CSU in Wagga Wagga, over four business days commencing the last Thursday in November. Applicants are chosen to attend the selection interview based on their academic score (ATAR or equivalent) and their responses in the Supplementary Application Form.

The Supplementary Application Form, which includes detailed instructions on applying, must be submitted to the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences directly and must be postmarked on or before Friday 27 September.

From the interview approximately 60 students will be made an offer to enrol into the course.

Year 12 students are also required to request their school (principal or careers adviser) to submit the Predicted Score Letter. This is to be sent electronically directly to CSU.

Forms

The following forms are required to apply for the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science:

• Supplementary Application Pack and Additional Section 3 if required 
• Predicted score letter (for principals and careers advisers)

More information on Frequently Asked Questions

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 7.0, and with no score lower than 7.0, within the last two years;  or
2. have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
3. were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries
4. have completed senior secondary studies or at least one year of full-time university study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
5. have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

International student admission requirements

Note: If you are an international student but living in and undertaking an educational qualification in Australia, follow the application procedures as for Australian citizens and residents. See Admission requirements.

CSU is one of Australia's highly respected national universities, offering almost 400 courses to more than 38,000 students worldwide.

As a national university for the professions, CSU prides itself on providing practical, hands-on courses that ensure graduates are prepared for a range of employment opportunities. You will enhance your future by studying at CSU.

More information about studying at CSU

Application process for international applicants

To gain entry to the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science, international applicants are required to meet the following selection criteria:

• a high level of academic ability through previous studies
• an interest in, and commitment to, rural communities, veterinary science and animal production
• an understanding of the unique ethical and practical issues that confront veterinarians involved with rural practice and animal production
• the capacity to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• have completed the International Language Testing System (IELTS) or other government approved language test with an average overall score of 7.0 or better, with a minimum of 7.0 in all sections, undertaken within the last two years, or have completed formal education in an English-speaking country.

More about selection criteria for international students

Download the Supplementary Application Form - international

Application closing dates

Applications open on 1 August and close on 30 September 2013 for entry in 2014. Applications received after 30 September will be considered for entry in 2015.

Application to the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science involves a number of steps:

1. Apply online. Applications received after 30 September 2013 will not be considered for entry in 2014. Ensure you submit your complete academic transcript, including grade key and any other information that will assist in converting your grade
2. Complete and submit the International Supplementary Application Form to the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Email the completed application to: vetselections@csu.edu.au
3. Supplementary application forms will only be accepted between 1 August and 30 September each year. No late entries will be accepted.
4. Applicants selected for interview will be advised by email in due course. Interviews will be conducted by telephone.

Credit

Credit will be granted for only a limited number of subjects in the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science. Under normal circumstances, credit will only be considered for the following subjects: ASC221 Animal Genetics, ASC273 Animal Nutrition, BCM210 Foundations & Techniques in Biochemistry and CHM104 Chemistry 1A (prerequisite for VSC226).

Credit eligibility will be conferred by the Subject Coordinator for each subject. Awarding of credit will not result in the shortening of the degree.

Contact

For information regarding the International Supplementary Application please email: vetselections@csu.edu.au

Recruitment agents

CSU's International Recruitment Representatives (agents) are trained to provide you with information about CSU and its courses and will help you find the answers to all your questions.

More information about recruitment agents.

Cost of study

For more information about fees, visit the Cost of study tab. Allowance must also be made for additional costs such as accommodation, books, protective clothing (laboratory coat, overalls, boots) and travel to veterinary practices to complete the required work placements during the course.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 7.0, and with no score lower than 7.0, within the last two years;  or
2. have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
3. were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries
4. have completed senior secondary studies or at least one year of full-time university study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
5. have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.
 

Frequently asked questions

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