Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Program Code
DVETM
Program Faculty
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Academic Year
2024
These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).
Overview
This is a three year degree in clinical veterinary science that when successfully completed will make graduates eligible for registration as a veterinarian. The program is at the Masters by coursework level. Students will enter this program after completion of the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) program at the University of Adelaide.
The first two years of the program aim to develop the scientific and technical skills needed to become a veterinarian and include a theme of professional development. The final year is made up of a total of 31 weeks of clinical and practical rotations, forming an intern year to consolidate scientific knowledge and technical skills prior to entering practice. There is also a requirement for a further 26 weeks of extra mural practical work during the program that must be completed prior to graduation.
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is an AQF Level 9 (Masters Extended) qualification with a standard full-time duration of 3 years.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Retrieve, critically evaluate, and utilise evidence effectively in the performance of veterinary-related activities using sound clinical reasoning and decision-making.
- Promote and optimise the health, welfare and productivity of individual animals using diagnostic, medical, preventative, and surgical procedures considering available resources, financial, legal, and regulatory requirements, public health, and the social and cultural context.
- Promote and optimise health, welfare and productivity of animal populations considering available resources, profitability, sustainability, regulatory requirements, public health, and the social and cultural context.
- Demonstrate awareness of appropriate practices for the promotion of public health, including management of biosecurity, and considering global, national and local perspectives, and the social and cultural context.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively and inclusively with diverse clients, colleagues, other One Health professionals and the public to promote animal, human and environmental health and wellbeing, whilst demonstrating skills as a leader and inter-professional team member.
- Act professionally, compliant with legal and regulatory requirements, and engage in self-management practices, including plans for professional development and personal well-being.
- Utilise business acumen to manage professional and personal decisions, comply with legal and regulatory requirements and ensure safety at the workplace.
- Critically evaluate literature, and integrate and adapt evidence and experience, to formulate and disseminate resources supporting evidence-based veterinary medicine.
Conditions
Condition of Admission
Q Fever Vaccinations: Students in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine are required to be vaccinated against Q Fever (unless initial skin test indicates pre-existing immunity).
Inherent requirements: Students are required to acknowledge their understanding of the University of Adelaide veterinary programs inherent requirements (see https://sciences.adelaide.edu.au/system/files/docs/vet-inherent-requirement-statement.pdf).
Condition of Continuing Enrolment
Minimum GPA: A student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.00.
Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Executive Dean or delegate before taking a Leave of Absence. Any extension of the leave without approval will result in the loss of place in the program but an application may be made to be re-admitted to the program subject to the admission procedures in place at the time.
Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program.
Academic Program Rules for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
There shall be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 72 units, comprising:
- Core courses to the value of 72 units
- Work based training / extra mural studies
Core Courses
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Core Courses
To satisfy the requirements for Core Courses students must complete courses to the value of 72 units.
Year 1
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value VET SC 7001RW DVM Professional Skills 3 VET SC 7002RW Fundamentals of Vet Anaesthesia, Diagnostic Imaging & Surgery 3 VET SC 7004RW Intensive Production Medicine 3 VET SC 7005RW Clinical Research Project 3 VET SC 7006RW Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology 3 VET SC 7009RW General Pathology 3 VET SC 7010RW Systems Pathology 3 VET SC 7011RW Veterinary Clinical Pathology and Theriogenology 3 Year 2
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value VET SC 7213RW Wildlife and Conservation Practice 3 VET SC 7223RW Veterinary Public Health and Biosecurity 3 VET SC 7230ARW Companion Animal Practice Part 1 0 VET SC 7230BRW Companion Animal Practice Part 2 6 VET SC 7240ARW Ruminant Health and Production Part 1 0 VET SC 7240BRW Ruminant Health and Production Part 2 6 VET SC 7250ARW Equine Clinical Practice Part 1 0 VET SC 7250BRW Equine Clinical Practice Part 2 6 Year 3
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value VET SC 7300ARW Equine Practice Rotation A 0 VET SC 7300BRW Equine Practice Rotation B 3 VET SC 7301ARW Rural Mixed Animal Practice Rotation A 0 VET SC 7301BRW Rural Mixed Animal Practice Rotation B 3 VET SC 7302ARW Companion Animal Practice Rotation A 0 VET SC 7302BRW Companion Animal Practice Rotation B 3 VET SC 7303ARW Anaesthesia & Analgesia Rotation A 0 VET SC 7303BRW Anaesthesia & Analgesia Rotation B 3 VET SC 7304ARW Pathology & Diagnostic Services Rotation A 0 VET SC 7304BRW Pathology & Diagnostic Services Rotation B 3 VET SC 7305ARW Veterinary Public Health Rotation A 0 VET SC 7305BRW Veterinary Public Health Rotation B 3 VET SC 7306RW DVM Elective Topics 3 VET SC 7308ARW Transition to the Veterinary Profession A 0 VET SC 7308BRW Transition to the Veterinary Profession B 3 -
Work Based Learning / Extra Mural Studies
To satisfy the requirements for Work Based Learning / Extra Mural Studies students must adhere to the following:
To complete the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, students must complete 26 weeks of clinical Extra Mural Studies as prescribed in the EMS guidelines for the relevant calendar year.
The EMS must be completed no more than 1 year after DVM Level 3 courses have been completed.
In order to be eligible for early conferral and registration as a Veterinarian in January of the year following completion of studies, students must ensure that their EMS have been finalised by the relevant conferral deadlines as set out by the University.
Before beginning a period of extra mural studies, students are required to ensure that the placement will be acceptable by consulting the Placements Coordinator, and the placement attendance has approval of the Head of School.
Upon completion of each period of extra mural studies, students are required to complete and submit all placement associated documentation and tasks to a satisfactory standard, including certification of attendance by the placement supervisor for approval by the Placements Coordinator.