Principles of Veterinary Bioscience 1

This subject is not offered in 2014.

480

Admission into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

A Bachelor of Science degree with at least 12.5 points of study in biology and 12.5 points of study in biochemistry.

This course assumes prior knowledge in one or more disciplines of science. All students will be expected to be familiar with the principles of scientific thinking, hypothesis development, experimental design and data collection, analysis and interpretation.

Students should refer to the Core Participation Requirements statement for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine:

http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/CoreParticipationReqs.pdf

This subject takes an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to the study of organ function and dysfunction in animals. Building on students' prior knowledge and experience of scientific thinking, this subject introduces students to the structure and normal functioning of the digestive, metabolic, excretory and cardiorespiratory systems, and to the principles of dysfunction of these systems. Students will be introduced to the clinical disciplines of pharmacology and therapeutics, diagnostic imaging and clinical pathology. Using case-based teaching approaches, students will apply their understanding of organ and system function and dysfunction to authentic situations that enhance the development of integrative clinical reasoning abilities.

At the completion of this course students should be able to:

• Appreciate the roles of the disciplines of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry and pathology in the analysis of animal structure, function and dysfunction.
• Describe the structure and function of the digestive, metabolic, excretory and cardiorespiratory systems.
• Explain the processes by which normal function may be disrupted in these body systems, and predict the outcomes of these perturbations for normal function of the animal.
• Apply and integrate an understanding of principles of organ function and dysfunction to cases involving multi-organ perturbation.
• Use data acquired from clinical observation as well as an understanding of organ function and dysfunction, to explain mechanisms of disease processes.

Four units and one oral presentation of a research activity will be undertaken in this subject.

(Please note: ‘Unit 1 - Cells to Systems’ is not undertaken as part of this subject)

Unit 2 Digestive System - (23% of total subject assessment)

• One 2-hour written examination, held at the end of semester 1 (17%)
• One 1-hour test held during semester 1 (6%)

Unit 3 Metabolism & Excretion - (23% of total subject assessment)

• One 2-hour written examination, held at the end of semester 1 (17%)
• One 1-hour test held during semester 1 (6%)

Unit 4 Cardiovascular System - (23% of total subject assessment)

• One 2-hour written examination, held at the end of semester 2 (17%)
• One 1-hour test held during semester 2 (6%)

Unit 5 Respiratory System - (23% of total subject assessment)

• One 2-hour written examination, held at the end of semester 2 (17%)
• One 1-hour test held during semester 2 (6%)

The passing of each unit on aggregate mark is a hurdle requirement.

One oral presentation that demonstrates the ability to integrate concepts across different discipline areas and organ systems, and to communicate these concepts to a diverse audience. Presented on-line in video format on the Faculty’s VOCE site, to be completed satisfactorily in semester 2 (8%)

Students are required to pass the subject on aggregate mark.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines.
• Expand analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects.
• Have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to find solutions to unfamiliar problems.
• Be able to seek solutions to problems through the application of knowledge, the ability to initiate and integrate new ideas, an appreciation of the broad picture of science and an understanding of the importance and application of scientific method.