Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science

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)