Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

BVMS 1 is the first of 2 years of the Foundation Phase of the BVMS programme. This phase aims to provide a firm foundation in knowledge and skills for further clinical study, introducing early basic clinical concepts, integrating concepts of structure and function, health and disease in contexts which emphasise the clinical and societal applications of this knowledge and encourage the development of skills for lifelong learning.

The course adopts a modular structure, with each module of teaching focused around a specific body system or functional area. The course consists of 7 modules, within each module, there are typically three weeks of intensive instruction followed by an end of module week focussed on integration and synthesis of content, skills and concepts. Based on maximum 24 hours/week and averaging no more than 12hrs/week lectures, typical weekly timetables are shown below:

Weekly timetable BVMS1

Mandatory Entry Requirements

As detailed in the Prospectus https://www.gla.ac.uk/prospectuses/undergraduate/

Recommended Entry Requirements

As detailed in the Prospectus https://www.gla.ac.uk/prospectuses/undergraduate/

Not applicable

None

Assessment

End of semester examinations (end of Semester 1 exam: 35% of course grade; end of Semester 2: 45% of course grade) will include a range of assessment modalities such as practical spot, short answer, data interpretation and multiple-choice questions assessing learning outcomes from the relevant modules that Semester.

The Professional Portfolio (20% of course grade) will be used to promote personal development planning, support the development of skills in reflection and reflective practice and include reflective components on the student's attainment of course ILOs. Elements evidenced in the Professional Portfolio will include outcomes of all course assessments such as end of semester examinations, continuous assessment tasks and Directly Observed Procedural Skills (DOPS) assessments.

The continuous assessment tasks will be varied but may include self-directed or collaborative learning assignments, presentations, essays, literature reviews, etc.

The BVMS1 course forms the first of 2 years of the Foundation Phase of the BVMS programme. The Foundation Phase aims to provide a firm foundation in knowledge and skills for further clinical study, integrating concepts of structure and function, health and disease in contexts which emphasise the clinical and societal applications of this knowledge and encourage the development of skills for lifelong learning. In this context, the aim of the BVMS 1 course is to provide an opportunity for development of basic clinical and professional skills as preparation for engagement in pre-clinical extramural studies; to introduce the principles of veterinary science; and to provide a detailed introduction to specific body systems illustrated by relevant clinical cases. The emphasis will be on supporting students to develop their own self-directed learning skills, and to provide opportunities for students to evaluate their own progress through engagement in formative and in-course assessments.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1.Apply basic principles of written and verbal communication to present information and suggest appropriate communication strategies in a professional context

2.Demonstrate appropriate conduct, including basic interpersonal and communication skills, attitudes and cultural awareness, in educational and professional contexts

3.Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and communication skills in a professional context

4.Recognise and describe the appearance of a healthy animal including breed, colour and markings, weight/body condition, age, purpose and behaviour

5.Demonstrate appropriate handling and restraint of animals for performance of clinical procedures or transport 

6.Outline the principles of global livestock production.

7.Demonstrate and apply the principles of health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity when working with animals

8.Demonstrate competence in basic technical and clinical skills relating to year 1 content

9.Reflect on a variety of relevant experiences to plan and evaluate your own learning and professional development

10.Work independently or as part of a group to collate, critically appraise, summarise and present appropriately referenced information from a range of sources to provide a balanced argument or to contextualise a clinically relevant situation

11.Apply the underlying principles of animal welfare, and its importance in relation to animal health and the veterinary profession

12.Identify commonly used feedstuffs, describe their production, describe their characteristics and explain how these can influence animal health

13.Describe the basic mammalian body plan including directional and positional topography and organisation of the peripheral nervous system

14.Describe and identify the structure and function of simple cells and tissues

15.Describe the concepts of homeostasis and neuro-hormonal feedback control processes

16.Describe and apply the fundamental principles of the action and uses of drugs in veterinary medicine and demonstrate good clinical competence in their administration

17.Describe the significance of zoonotic diseases, and legislative/industry frameworks relating to food products, food hygiene and animal welfare

18.Describe measures of disease frequency, measures of association and study design.

19.Describe the structure and function of blood cells and and be able to explain and demonstrate how they can be clinically assessed

20.Explain the formation, composition and function of body fluids in health and disease, and be able to describe and demonstrate how fluid balance within an animal may be assessed and managed

21.Explain the role of animal charities, including cat and dog homes/shelters, within society and how such organisations are managed

22.Explain the relevance of behavioural approaches to animal welfare research and describe key elements of animal welfare legislation

23.Relate the importance of protein structure to functional activity within the body and how enzymes can be used as drug targets

24.Explain the legal requirements for moving animals internationally.

25.Describe the inflammatory process, including the cellular and localised generic changes induced by acute and chronic inflammation

26.Describe the anatomical features and processes that underlie immune function, their development and how they can be manipulated in the healthy and diseased animal

27.Describe the parameters used to validate the reliability of diagnostic tests

28.Explain the roles of clinical and anatomic pathologists, apply basic pathological terminology and demonstrate the principles of pathological sample preparation

29.Describe and identify the normal structure and topography of the digestive system and relate this to diet

30.Describe the functional mechanisms involved in digestion, absorption and excretion in relation to the digestive system

31.Describe the purpose of common dietary nutrients, and the metabolic processes and biochemical pathways involved in digestion, glucose metabolism and cell energy provision

32.Describe the essentials of equine management, including their possible impacts on welfare.

33.Perform simple dental techniques

34.Describe the structure of the abdominal wall and relate this to the surgical approach and closure of the abdominal cavity

35.Demonstrate aseptic technique for surgical and medical procedures and appropriate tissue handling

36.Explain the principles of radiography and ultrasound and recognise the appearance of different tissue types on diagnostic images.

37.Describe normal and pathological cellular adaptations, cell injury and cell death mechanisms/pathways

38.Explain and apply the basic principles of drug pharmacokinetics, perform basic calculations required in pharmacology and define and interpret core pharmacological parameters.

39.Describe the general approach to diagnosis and treatment of suspected and known common poisoning

40.Explain and apply the principles of liver metabolism, diagnosis of liver dysfunction and patterns of liver disease

41.Describe the pharmacology of the main classes of anthelmintic drugs and drugs which are commonly used to modulate gastrointestinal function

42.Describe key characteristics of bacteria and fungi, their transmission, their control and how they affect the host

43.Describe key characteristics of viruses, their transmission, their control and how they affect the host

44.Describe key characteristics of parasites, their transmission, their control and how they affect the host

45.Describe and discuss the structure of the beef industry and its management to optimise herd health, welfare and productivity at international, national and local levels

46.Describe and compare the structure, function of the non-pregnant female reproductive system, explaining its functions and the regulation of cyclicity

47.Describe and compare the structure and function of the pregnant female reproductive system relating to the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and summarise the early stages of embryonic development including sex determination and differentiation

48.Describe and explain structural and functional changes and metabolic demands that apply to the dam during late pregnancy, parturition and the resumption of cyclicity, including the onset and regulation of lactation

49.Describe and explain the structures and processes in the fetus during prenatal development, parturition, postnatal development and suckling, and discuss the routine care, metabolic demands and health issues of the neonate

50.Discuss and apply the principles of the routine diagnostic procedures used for assessing the female and male reproductive tract prior to breeding and for pregnancy diagnosis including manual examinations, diagnostic imaging modalities and hormone assays

51.Describe and explain the routine and emergency surgical procedures that apply to male and female reproductive tracts

52.Discuss pharmacological interventions that are used to manage and alter reproductive function in the male and female

53.Describe and compare the structure, function and topography of the male reproductive system

54.Explain Mendelian and quantitative genetics on which conventional animal breeding is built, as well as the associated cytogenetics underlying normal and abnormal phenotypes

55.Describe and explain applied reproductive techniques in relation to animal breeding

56.Describe and discuss the structure of the sheep industry and its management to optimise herd health, welfare and productivity at international, national and local levels

57.Describe and discuss the structure of the dairy industry and its management to optimise herd health, welfare and productivity at international, national and local levels

58.Provide advice on types of petfood available and how much of a given food to feed to pets taking into account life-stage and energy requirements.

59.Explain why it is important for the veterinarian to have knowledge about normal animal behaviour and how this is relevant to medical management and animal welfare.

60.Explain the process of normal and abnormal hemostasis.

61.Describe the mechanisms of action for common antimicrobials and the wider implications of their use.

62.Explain the pharmacology of drugs that affect the central and autonomic nervous systems.

63.Describe and identify the normal structure, function and topography of the respiratory system.

64.Describe the physiology of respiration and the regulatory processes involved.

65.Discuss the metabolic implications of anaerobic and aerobic respiration

66.Explain the importance of viral genetic change, and other factors, in the emergence of new viral diseases

67.Describe the aetiology and pathogenesis of basic respiratory disease processes and their impact

68.Describe the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of drugs commonly used in the treatment of respiratory conditions

69.Describe tests to investigate respiratory dysfunction, interpret their results and use this information to discuss potential treatment strategies

70.Explain the role of environment as a contributing factor to animal health and performance

71.Describe and identify the normal structure, function and topography of the cardiovascular system

72.Explain the pathophysiology of heart failure and the systemic response to haemorrhage

73.Describe the pathology of common cardiovascular disorders

74.Describe the common microbiological and parasitic causes of cardiac disorders

75.Explain the pharmacology of drugs commonly used to treat cardiovascular disorders

76.Describe tests to investigate cardiovascular dysfunction, interpret their results and use this information to discuss potential treatment strategies

77.Discuss fetal development of the circulatory system and the anomalies that can arise.

78.Describe the Veterinary surgeons role in assisting clients with purchasing a horse for an intended use as well as options for investigations if its subsequent athletic performance does not match this use

Students on the BVMS 1 Foundation Phase course must successfully complete all components of the course including compulsory attendance at all workshop, practical and seminar sessions. Students must successfully complete all course work including continual assessment tasks, specified DOPS and portfolio.