Course Catalogue

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BVMS 3 is the first of 2 years of the Clinical Phase of the BVMS programme. This phase aims to build on the Foundation Phase to provide a broad training in key elements of veterinary professional practice, with a focus on common and important problems and presentations encountered in veterinary work.

Timetable BVMS 3

The course adopts a modular structure, with each module of teaching focussed around a body system or functional area. There are 8 modules each lasting 2-4 weeks. Typically in the first 2 weeks of a module the main activities are lectures and self-directed learning tasks (including on-line activities and preparation for practicals and workshops), whereas practical classes and clinical reasoning workshops take up more time in the last 1-2 weeks. 

Based on maximum 24 hours/week and averaging no more than 10hrs/week lectures, typical weekly timetables are shown below:

Supervised self-learning is an educational approach where learners independently study and complete tasks, aiming to achieve specific learning outcomes through self-directed efforts. This method emphasizes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with general support and feedback provided through module round-up sessions, forum discussion and quizzes to reinforce learning and ensure progress.

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Students must have successfully completed the BVMS 2 course.

Recommended Entry Requirements

Not applicable

Not applicable

None

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 short answer (including clinical decision-making questions) and multiple-choice questions, assessing learning outcomes from the corresponding semester's modules.

The 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, written reports, analysis of data, literature appraisal etc.

The BVMS3 course forms the first of 2 years of the Clinical Phase of the BVMS programme. The aim of the Clinical Phase is to build on the Foundation Phase to provide a broad training in key elements of veterinary professional practice, with a focus on common and important problems and presentations encountered in veterinary work. Realistic scenarios form the basis for integrating clinical and scientific perspectives of veterinary practice. In this context the BVMS3 course aims to offer opportunities to develop knowledge in specific subject areas, skills and attitudes required to work in the clinical environment, to develop clinical decision making skills and to equip students to take a greater responsibility for experiential learning in the subsequent professional phase of the programme.

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

1.Demonstrate growth in the skills, attitudes and responsibilities, in relation to Year 3 topics, required of a veterinary surgeon and be able to reflect on these

2.Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication, in relation to year 3 topics, expected of a veterinary surgeon

3.Demonstrate increased capability in the use of animal handling, diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical skills to a level expected of a new graduate in relation to Years 1-3 topics

4.Outline the causes of common and important behavioural conditions in the cat, dog and horse and synthesise information from a clinical history, examination and other diagnostic testing to propose likely differential diagnoses

5.Perform and interpret a clinical examination, including a pain assessment, in a veterinary patient that requires emergency treatment

6.Assimilate from history and clinical examination, the information to recognise cardiorespiratory & haemopoietic disease

7.a] Demonstrate competence in the principles of clinical reasoning (emergency and non-emergency situations) by identifying and integrating relevant clinical and pathological information, listing common alimentary, hepatic, and pancreatic causes of the clinical presentation. b] Prioritise and plan appropriate actions and investigations

8.Recognise clinical signs indicating urinary/urogenital, endocrine/metabolic, oncological/paraneoplastic conditions and perform a relevant clinical examination

9.Take an appropriate case history, perform a full clinical examination and evidence knowledge of clinical signs of disease of young ruminants and periparturient ruminants

10.Outline the causes of important diseases and conditions in donkeys, poultry and fish, and synthesise information from a clinical history, examination and other diagnostic testing to propose likely differential diagnoses

11.Explain the aetiology, pathophysiology & epidemiology of conditions of veterinary interest that require emergency treatment

12.Explain the aetiology, pathophysiology & epidemiology of cardiorespiratory & haemopoietic disease conditions

13.Explain the aetiology, pathophysiology & epidemiology of alimentary conditions of veterinary interest

14.Explain the aetiology, pathophysiology & epidemiology of urinary/urogenital, endocrine/metabolic, and oncological/paraneoplastic conditions

15.Identify agents and apply knowledge of the aetiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of key diseases/conditions of the periparturient, neonatal and growing periods in the ruminant production cycle

16.a] Apply knowledge of the aetiology, pathophysiology & epidemiology of conditions of veterinary interest, including potentially emerging diseases of common in species kept for food - appraising animal welfare throughout the food chain. b] Describe postmortem findings in food animals and correctly identify conditions affecting the quality and safety of meat

17.Select and explain appropriate diagnostic techniques to investigate common veterinary emergencies, including problems arising under anaesthesia, and interpret the findings of these techniques

18.Select, undertake and interpret appropriate clinico-pathological tests and suitable diagnostic investigations relevant to cardiorespiratory and haemopoietic disease

19.Select appropriate samples for the investigation of alimentary, hepatic, and pancreatic conditions and explain how the different diagnostic imaging modalities can be used in the diagnosis of alimentary, hepatic, and pancreatic conditions

20.Select, undertake and interpret appropriate clinico-pathological tests and suitable diagnostic investigations relevant for urinary/urogenital, endocrine/metabolic, and oncological/paraneoplastic conditions

21.Demonstrate a systematic approach to investigation of young stock and periparturient disease (including at the flock and herd level) and evidence knowledge of the relevant diagnostic tools

22.Explain current therapies and formulate control/prevention plans for important diseases and conditions in donkeys, poultry and fish.

23.Advise on appropriate management for common and important behavioural conditions in the cat, dog and horse and recognise the circumstances where euthanasia is required

24.a] Formulate an analgesic, sedative or anaesthetic plan for a veterinary patient, demonstrating an understanding of the underpinning principles, including pharmacology & the appropriate safe use of anaesthetic equipment. b] 25.Formulate a therapeutic plan to treat/manage common veterinary emergencies including complications arising under anaesthesia, demonstrating an understanding of the underpinning science principles

26.Formulate and institute a therapeutic/management plan to treat a patient with cardiorespiratory & common cardiorespiratory and haematological disorders diseases, demonstrating an understanding of principles of dietary management, microbiology, pharmacology and toxicology

27.Formulate a therapeutic plan to treat/manage common alimentary, hepatic and pancreatic disease demonstrating knowledge of the relevant medical and surgical treatment modalities, which includes recognising the need for and formulating guidelines for nutritional management.

28.Formulate and institute a therapeutic plan to manage a patient with a urinary/urogenital, endocrine/metabolic, oncological/paraneoplastic condition. demonstrating an understanding of principles of dietary management, microbiology, pharmacology and toxicology relevant to specific diseases; encompassing surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy

29.a] Explain current therapies and formulate control/prevention plans of common diseases of the periparturient, neonatal and growing periods of ruminants (at an individual and group level). b] Evidence knowledge of the issues of production animal therapeutics within the context of food residues and development of anthelmintic and antimicrobial resistance

30.Illustrate the importance of the prevention of Veterinary Medical residues

31.Apply knowledge of epidemiological studies to assess anaesthetic risk in veterinary patients and identify strategies to minimise risk

32.Formulate and implement preventative veterinary medicine interventions for alimentary tract diseases based on analysis of datasets and epidemiological data

33.Analyse herd and flock performance and epidemiological data to summarise the impact of diseases and recommend preventative interventions

34.Use research methods to collect, analyse and interpret data in the light of published information as it relates to Year 3 topics

35.Apply an appreciation of the impact of domesticated species on society and environment in relation to Year 3 topics

36.Discuss the ethical considerations and legal responsibilities which underpin veterinary professional judgement

37.Explain the current guidelines and legislative requirements that apply when stocking, prescribing, dispensing and disposing of drugs used in veterinary medicine, including cytotoxic & controlled drugs.

38.Apply an understanding of medical physics and ionising regulations

39.Discuss measures to prevent transmission of zoonotic disease and employ the relevant legislation in relation to use of products in food producing species

40.Judge courses of action against current guidelines and legislative framework to ensure safe working practices and protect personnel

41.Identify factors; individual, organisational, client and financial considerations that impact on veterinary practice in a business context as they apply to Year 3 topics

42.Integrate historical information and clinical signs to evidence knowledge of the normal reproductive cycle and reproductive disease in species of veterinary importance

43.Explain the aetiology, pathophysiology & epidemiology of reproductive conditions in species of veterinary importance

44.Select, undertake and interpret appropriate clinic-pathological tests and suitable diagnostic investigations relevant to reproductive disease

45.Advise on appropriate management for common and important reproductive conditions in species of veterinary importance

46.Outline the causes of common and important neonatal/paediatric conditions in the cat, dog and horse and synthesise information from a clinical history, examination and other diagnostic testing to propose likely differential diagnoses

47.Explain current therapies and formulate control/prevention plans for important neonatal/paediatric conditions in the cat, dog and horse

48.Identify and recognise clinical signs of those infectious diseases that occur in the UK and those which have a global distribution

49.Be aware of the potential infectious agents responsible for disorders of the different body systems in domestic species, and be able to construct appropriate differential diagnoses for each disorder

50.Select, undertake and interpret appropriate clinico-pathological tests and suitable diagnostic investigations relevant to global disease of veterinary importance, with particular focus on infectious agents, both notifiable and non-notifiable.

51.Formulate and describe implementation of a therapeutic/prevention plan to manage patients with diseases of global significance, demonstrating an understanding of principles of dietary management, microbiology, pharmacology and toxicology

52.Analyse epidemiological data and apply knowledge to assess global risk, summarise the impact of disease and recommend preventive measures to minimise risk

53.Apply an understanding of notifiable disease in the main jurisdictions inc UK, North America, and South East Asia and underpinning regulations including health and safety precautions required when dealing with potential zoonotic infections

54.Follow the appropriate legislative guidelines that pertain to the housing, handling and treatment of zoo animals, wildlife and non-traditional companion animals.

Students on the BVMS3 Clinical Phase course must complete all components of the course including compulsory attendance at all practical and clinical reasoning workshop sessions. Students must attain a minimum of Grade D in the summative assessments, and complete all course work including continual assessment tasks, specified DOPS and the portfolio.