VSC118 Veterinary Practice 1 (8)

Veterinary Practice 1 runs through two sessions of first year. It provides Veterinary Science students with an introduction to the realities of the veterinary profession, and skills essential for the remainder of the veterinary course. These include generic skills such as communication, effective use of scientific information in writing, and critical thinking and reflection.

Practical animal handling sessions will be undertaken on site, utilising CSU's Equine Centre and Pre-clinical centre.

Visits to clinical practices will be on a small group basis, and after visits students are required to attend a debrief session, thus ensuring that any areas of experiential learning are reinforced.


 

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: VSC118. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

Two sessions

School

School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Restricted to students enrolled in the following courses:

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
 

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Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to apply library and IT resources for scientific writing;
  • be able to demonstrate developing communication skills with peers, academic staff and work-based educators;
  • be able to work autonomously and as part of a team;
  • be able to describe how animal behaviour can be measured in a range of production and companion animal species;
  • be able to describe how measurement of behaviour can be used to assess welfare for animals;
  • be able to demonstrate proficiency and safety in handling a range of performance and companion animal species;
  • be able to recognise basic anatomical landmarks on the live animal for companion species, with respect to the clinical examination and administration of injections;
  • be able to perform a basic clinical examination on the live animal for a range of species;
  • be able to outline the structure of a veterinary consultation;
  • be able to demonstrate developing knowledge of the legal aspects governing animal ownership, animal use and veterinary practice;
  • be able to demonstrate developing knowledge of the ethical frameworks influencing animal use in society;
  • be able to demonstrate developing skills of critical analysis and personal reflection;
  • be able to demonstrate appropriate time management and organisational skills to permit completion of all assessment tasks.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Learning at University
  • Expectations of student conduct
  • Expectations of CSU
  • Generic skills
  • Library skills, ability to source relevant information
  • Scientific writing & reading
  • Introduction to the veterinary profession
  • Animal handling practical sessions and tutorials including animal examination/ medication techniques
  • Introduction to practice (4 days)
  • Expectations of participating practices
  • Legal issues with clinical activities
  • Safety issues with clinical activities
  • Communication skills (highlighting differences when dealing with different cultural groups, including indigenous and non-indigenous)
  • OHS in the veterinary workplace
  • Introduction to the human - animal bond and how this may differ between different cultural groups, including indigenous and non-indigenous
  • Introduction to Animal Husbandry Extramural Studies (AHEMS)

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 4 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component.

Students visit participating veterinary practices in pairs or small groups. After visits students attend a debrief session to discuss experiences seen on placement, and write reports outlining the structure of the clinic and major activities undertaken.

Special Resources

Students will be required to provide their own transport to visit veterinary clinics

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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