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

includes:

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
AQF level 8
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science
AQF level 8
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology
AQF level 7

Awards

Academic Senate has approved the following awards for conferral at graduation on a testamur:

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology BVetBiol

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science BVetBiol/BVetSc

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) BVetBiol/BVetSc(Hons)

Availability

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science (4488BS)

On Campus - Wagga Wagga

Availability is subject to change, please verify prior to enrolment.

Normal Course Duration

Course duration referenced below is the effective time taken to complete a course when studied full time (full time equivalent duration). At Charles Sturt the standard calendar refers to 32 points a session over a 2 session calendar year. The Actual Duration is the time taken to complete the course following the prescribed enrolment pattern. A course's actual duration can be affected by the session calendar (number of sessions undertaken per year) and/or mode (full time, part time or mixed) and credit packages which may have been granted upon admission. Therefore, depending on the prescribed enrolment pattern, mode, calendar utilised and credit awarded a course may take less time or more time to complete than the duration noted as full time equivalent years. Students are advised to consult the Enrolment Pattern to determine the actual duration of study.

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science

Full-time: 6.0 years (or part-time equivalent)

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

Full-time: 6.0 years (or part-time equivalent)

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology [Exit Point Only]

Full-time: 3.0 years (or part-time equivalent)

Admission Criteria

CSU Admission Policy

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science

Applicants with higher education study

  • Successful completion of one year full time equivalent university level study (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in the most recent of these studies.
    AND
  • A Supplementary Application Form
    AND
  • An interview at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

  • Applicants must have appropriate higher education studies or recent secondary education.

Applicants with work and life experience

  • Applicants must have appropriate higher education studies or recent secondary education.

Applicants with recent secondary education

  • A completed High School Certificate (or equivalent), with a minimum ATAR of 90, inclusive of adjustment factors.
    AND
  • A Supplementary Application Form
    AND
  • An interview at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga

Year 12 students are also required to request their school (principal or careers adviser) to submit a Predicted Score Letter. Further information and a link to the letter is provided in the Supplementary Application Form.

English Language Requirements
Completed the International Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average overall score of 7.0 or better, with a minimum score of 7.0 in all sections, undertaken within the last two years, or have completed formal education in some English-speaking countries. Refer to http://futurestudents.csu.edu.au/apply/english-language for the specific requirements.

Academic Requirements
Although there are no formal prerequisites for the Veterinary Science course at Charles Sturt, it is highly recommended that school leavers will have studied one or more science disciplines and high level mathematics at Year 12 level and university students will have studied a science based degree at university. If you have not studied these subjects and are accepted to the course, it is strongly recommended you undertake a STUDY LINK subject before commencing the degree.

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 seven years
  • there is no special pathway for mature aged students
  • STAT test scores, ATAR equivalents or Unilearn 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 below.

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, or 85 for applicants who are eligible to receive the CSU Regional Location Adjustment
  • an OP of approximately 6* for Queensland applicants who attended school in a metropolitan area or approximately 8* for Queensland applicants who are eligible to receive the CSU Regional Location Adjustment
  • an IB of approximately 34 (IB scores are not eligible to receive the CSU Regional Location Adjustment).

*Please note the OP and IB scores are based on prior year equivalents, and are subject to annual change.

For applicants to be eligible to receive the Charles Sturt Regional Location Adjustment, they must have attended a non-metropolitan school for their final two years of high school.

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

For those applicants who have subject credits from previous study included in their current course, the actual result of those subject credits will be included when calculating your GPA.

Honours applicants

  • Coursework and integrated Honours: Completed with GPA minimum of 5.0 or Class 1 Honours
  • Research Honours: Completed with Class 1 Honours only

Postgraduate applicants
Master

  • Coursework Master: Completed with GPA minimum of 5.0
  • Completed Research Master

PhD

  • Completed PhD

For consideration of other postgraduate qualifications not listed, please contact the Veterinary Science Course Administration 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.

Supplementary Application Form

The Supplementary Application Form provides the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to animals, livestock industries, veterinary science and rural and regional communities.

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

  • Detailed instructions on applying are included within the form;
  • The form must be uploaded with your UAC application; and 
  • Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews

  • Applicants deemed to be competitive, based on the application for admission and the supplementary form, will be invited to interview. 
  • The aim of the interview is to provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your communication skills and further discuss your interest in and commitment to animal production and rural and regional veterinary practice.
  • Interviews are held over four business days, in late November and early December.

Offers

  • Offers will be sent to successful interviewees following each UAC offer round December and January.
  • Due to multiple offer rounds, interviewees will not receive notification of their outcome until the final UAC round offers have been accepted (February/March).  

Numeracy Exercise

  • The aim of the numeracy exercise, which you will complete during the first weeks in the course, is to assess your numeracy skills and your ability to think clearly and critically in a short period of time under test conditions.
  • The numeracy exercise will be used as a tool to identify and provide support to students who may need to improve their numeracy skills. If identified, you may be advised to undertake remedial study by way of successfully completing Charles Sturt Study Link subjects and/or attending relevant tutorials.
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)

In order to be eligible to transfer into the Honours stream at the beginning of Year 5 of the double degree program, students will have to obtain grades of credit or above in at least 50% of the subjects in Year 2, 3 and 4 years of the combined degree program with no fails and completion in minimum time. The minimum GPA requirement is 4.50. Transfer is also subject to the availability of a suitable research project, funding and supervisor.

Credit

CSU Credit Policy

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Standard CSU credit rules apply
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
Standard CSU credit rules apply
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology [Exit Point Only]

Only an exit point.

Graduation Requirement

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 384 points.

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

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 384 points.

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology [Exit Point Only]

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.

Course Structure

This course consists of 384 points for both Pass and Honours streams:

Key Subjects
VSC223 Veterinary Histology and Immunology (8)
VSC224 Veterinary Anatomy (8)
VSC225 Comparative Anatomy (8)
VSC226 Veterinary Physiology (8)
VSC227 Applied Veterinary Physiology (8)
VSC310 Principles of Pathobiology (8)

Core subjects for both Pass and Honours streams (360 points; 45 subjects)
ASC221 Animal Genetics (8)
ASC262 Veterinary Reproduction (8)
ASC273 Animal Nutrition (8)
ASC370 Ruminant Production and Welfare (8)
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques in Biochemistry (8)
CHM102 Chemistry for Dental and Veterinary Sciences (8)
IKC101 First Nations Foundations: Knowing, relating and understanding Country (8)
VSC110 Animal Production and Welfare (8)
VSC113 Fundamentals of Veterinary Cell Biology (8)
VSC115 Pastures and Profits in Grazing Systems (8)
VSC122 Veterinary Practice 1 (8)
VSC222 Veterinary Practice 2 (8)
VSC223 Veterinary Histology and Immunology (8)
VSC224 Veterinary Anatomy (8)
VSC225 Comparative Anatomy (8)
VSC226 Veterinary Physiology (8)
VSC227 Applied Veterinary Physiology (8)
VSC310 Principles of Pathobiology (8)
VSC321 Principles of Clinical and Systematic Pathology (8)
VSC323 Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology (8)
VSC324 Veterinary Pharmacology, Diagnostics and Therapeutics (8)
VSC329 Veterinary Epidemiology (8)
VSC331 Diagnosis and Critical Thinking in Veterinary Science (8)
VSC333 Applied Veterinary Nutrition and Production (8)
VSC415 Population Medicine (8)
VSC416 Production Animal Medicine 1 (8)
VSC417 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 1 (8)
VSC418 Public Health and Biosecurity 1 (8)
VSC425 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 2 (8)
VSC426 Production Animal Medicine 2 (8)
VSC427 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 3 (8)
VSC410 Clinical Practice 1 (8)
VSC420 Clinical Practice 2 (8)
VSC450 Clinical Practice 3 (8)
VSC451 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 4 (8)
VSC453 Public Health and Biosecurity 2 (8)
VSC455 Transition to the Profession (8)
VSC471 Clinical Rotation 1 - Equine Practice (8)
VSC472 Clinical Rotation 2 - Small Animal Practice (8)
VSC473 Clinical Rotation 3 - Dairy Cattle Practice (8)
VSC474 Clinical Rotation 4 - Rural Practice (8)
VSC475 Clinical Rotation 5 - Veterinary Diagnostic Services (8)
VSC479 Clinical Rotation 9 - State Veterinary Medicine (8)
VSC480 Clinical Rotation 10 - Clinical Extramural Studies 3 (8)
VSC460 Veterinary Professional Practice (8)

Restricted elective subjects for Pass stream only (24 points)
24 points chosed from:
VSC476 Clinical Rotation 6 - Specialism Practice (8)
VSC477 Clinical Rotation 7  Advanced Practice (8)
VSC478 Clinical Rotation 8 - Mixed Practice (8)

Compulsory subjects for Honours stream only (16 points; 1 subject)
HRS418 Science Honours Project/Dissertation (16 points)

Restricted elective subjects for Honours stream only (8 points)
8 points chosen from:
VSC476 Clinical Rotation 6 - Specialism Practice (8)
VSC477 Clinical Rotation 7  Advanced Practice (8)

BACHELOR OF VETERINARY BIOLOGY (Exit point only course)
ASC221 Animal Genetics (8)
ASC262 Veterinary Reproduction (8)
ASC273 Animal Nutrition (8)
ASC370 Ruminant Production and Welfare (8)
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques in Biochemistry (8)
CHM102 Chemistry for Dental and Veterinary Sciences (8)
IKC101 First Nations Foundations: Knowing, relating and understanding Country (8)
VSC110 Animal Production and Welfare (8)
VSC113 Fundamentals of Veterinary Cell Biology (8)
VSC115 Pastures and Profits in Grazing Systems (8)
VSC122 Veterinary Practice 1 (8)
VSC222 Veterinary Practice 2 (8)
VSC223 Veterinary Histology and Immunology (8)
VSC224 Veterinary Anatomy (8)
VSC225 Comparative Anatomy (8)
VSC226 Veterinary Physiology (8)
VSC227 Applied Veterinary Physiology (8)
VSC310 Principles of Pathobiology (8)
VSC321 Principles of Clinical and Systematic Pathology (8)
VSC323 Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology (8)
VSC324 Veterinary Pharmacology, Diagnostics and Therapeutics (8)
VSC329 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology (8)
VSC331 Diagnosis and Critical Thinking in Veterinary Science (8)
VSC333 Applied Veterinary Nutrition and Production (8)

Enrolment Pattern

Common to pass and Honours streams

SESSION 1 (30) INTAKE

FULL TIME ON CAMPUS STUDY PATTERN

NOTES

  • Year-long subjects only need to be enrolled into at the commencement of the teaching period.
  • This course has both Year-long subjects and single session subjects please ensure you enrol in all subjects for the respect year of study.

Phase 1

Year 1, Session 1 (30)
CHM102 Chemistry for Dental and Veterinary Sciences (8)
VSC113 Fundamentals of Veterinary Cell Biology (8)
VSC110 Animal Production and Welfare (8)

Year 1, Year-long Period 1 (31)
VSC122 Veterinary Practice 1 (8) (year long subject)

Year 1, Session 2 (60)
VSC115 Pastures and Profits in Grazing Systems (8)
VSC224 Veterinary Anatomy (8)
ASC221 Animal Genetics (8)

Year 1, Session 3 (90)
IKC101 First Nations Foundations: Knowing, relating and understanding Country (8)

Year 2, Session 1 (30)
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques in Biochemistry (8)
VSC225 Comparative Anatomy (8)
VSC226 Veterinary Physiology (8)

Year 2, Year-long Period 1 (31)
VSC222 Veterinary Practice 2 (8) (year long subject)

Year 2, Session 2 (60)
ASC273 Animal Nutrition (8)
ASC370 Ruminant Production and Welfare (8)
VSC223 Veterinary Histology and Immunology (8)
VSC227 Applied Veterinary Physiology (8)

Year 3, Session 1 (30)
ASC262 Veterinary Reproduction (8)
VSC329 Veterinary Epidemiology (8)
VSC310 Principles of Pathobiology (8)
VSC333 Applied Veterinary Nutrition and Production (8)

Year 3, Session 2 (60)
VSC321 Principles of Clinical and Systematic Pathology (8)
VSC323 Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology (8)
VSC324 Veterinary Pharmacology, Diagnostics and Therapeutics (8)
VSC331 Diagnosis and Critical Thinking in Veterinary Science (8)

Students may elect to exit at this point with the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology (BVetBiol) (exit point only). Students cannot progress to Fourth Year (Phase 2) until the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology (Phase 1) is completed.

Phase 2

Year 4, Session 1 (30)
VSC410 Clinical Practice 1 (8)
VSC415 Population Medicine (8)
VSC416 Production Animal Medicine 1 (8)
VSC417 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 1 (8)

Year 4, Session 2 (60)
VSC418 Public Health and Biosecurity 1 (8)
VSC420 Clinical Practice 2 (8)
VSC425 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 2 (8)
VSC426 Production Animal Medicine 2 (8)

Year 5, Session 1 (30)
VSC427 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 3 (8)
VSC453 Public Health and Biosecurity 2 (8)
VSC451 Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 4 (8)
VSC450 Clinical Practice 3 (8)

PASS Stream

Students cannot progress to Phase 3 until Phase 2 is completed.

Phase 3

Year 5, Session 2 (60)
VSC455 Transition to the Profession (8)

Year 5, Year-long Period 4 (62)
VSC471 Clinical Rotation 1 - Equine Practice (8)
VSC472 Clinical Rotation 2 - Small Animal Practice (8)
VSC473 Clinical Rotation 3 - Dairy Cattle Practice (8)
VSC474 Clinical Rotation 4 - Rural Practice (8)
VSC475 Clinical Rotation 5 - Veterinary Diagnostic Services (8)
VSC476 Clinical Rotation 6 - Specialism Practice (8)
VSC477 Clinical Rotation 7  Advanced Practice (8)
VSC478 Clinical Rotation 8 - Mixed Practice (8)
VSC479 Clinical Rotation 9 - State Veterinary Medicine (8)
VSC480 Clinical Rotation 10 - Clinical Extramural Studies 3

Year 6, Session 1 (30)
VSC460 Veterinary Professional Practice (8)

HONOURS Stream

Students cannot progress to Phase 3 until Phase 2 is completed.

Phase 3

Year 5, Session 2 (60)
VSC455 Transition to the Profession (8)

Year 5, Year-long Period 4 (62)
HRS418 Science Honours Project/Dissertation (16 points)
VSC471 Clinical Rotation 1 - Equine Practice (8)
VSC472 Clinical Rotation 2 - Small Animal Practice (8)
VSC473 Clinical Rotation 3 - Dairy Cattle Practice (8)
VSC474 Clinical Rotation 4 - Rural Practice (8)
VSC475 Clinical Rotation 5 - Veterinary Diagnostic Services (8)
VSC476 Clinical Rotation 6 - Specialism Practice (8) OR VSC477 Clinical Rotation 7  Advanced Practice (8)
VSC479 Clinical Rotation 9 - State Veterinary Medicine (8)
VSC480 Clinical Rotation 10 - Clinical Extramural Studies 3 (8)

Year 6, Session 1 (30)
VSC460 Veterinary Professional Practice (8)

Workplace Learning

Please note that the following subjects may contain a Workplace Learning component. Further details for Workplace Learning requirements are located via the subject page

VSC122 Veterinary Practice 1
VSC222 Veterinary Practice 2
VSC331 Diagnosis and Critical Thinking in Veterinary Science
VSC410 Clinical Practice 1
VSC420 Clinical Practice 2
VSC450 Clinical Practice 3
VSC460 Veterinary Professional Practice
VSC471 Clinical Rotation 1 - Equine Practice
VSC472 Clinical Rotation 2 - Small Animal Practice
VSC473 Clinical Rotation 3 - Dairy Cattle Practice
VSC474 Clinical Rotation 4 - Rural Practice
VSC475 Clinical Rotation 5 - Veterinary Diagnostic Services
VSC476 Clinical Rotation 6 - Specialism Practice
VSC477 Clinical Rotation 7 - Livestock Industries
VSC478 Clinical Rotation 8 - Mixed Practice
VSC479 Clinical Rotation 9 - State Veterinary Medicine
VSC480 Clinical Rotation 10 - Clinical Extramural Studies 3

Residential School

Please note that the following subjects may contain a Residential School component. Further details of Residential School requirements are located via the subject page

BCM210 Foundations and Techniques in Biochemistry

Enrolled students can find further information about CSU Residential Schools at About Residential School

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science is accredited with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) and the Veterinary School Accreditation and Advisory Committee (VSAAC). The course has full accreditation from December 2017 until December 2024. In order to work as a veterinarian you must register with the Veterinary Board in the jurisdiction in which you wish to work. Additionally graduates can register to practice in the United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand and Singapore.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: July 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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