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: 40% 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.

In addition, there will be a Veterinary Public Health exam (defined as a set exercise for question 18). This will contribute 10% to the course grade and will utilise similar question types to the end of semester exams.

The Portfolio (15% 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.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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16.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

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

18.Explain current therapies and formulate control/prevention plans for important diseases and conditions in donkeys. 

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

20.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.

21.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

22.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.

23.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.

24. Formulate a therapeutic plan to treat/manage common veterinary emergencies, demonstrating an understanding of the principles of surgical decision-making, relevant pharmacology and toxicology and dietary management.

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

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

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

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

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

30.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.

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

32.Use knowledge of underpinning principles, including pharmacology and medical physics, to assess actions against current guidelines and legislative frameworks to ensure safe and compliant working practices

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

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

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

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

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

38.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

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

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

41.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

42.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.

43.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

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

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

46.Evidence knowledge of the issues of therapeutics within the context of food residues and development of anthelmintic and antimicrobial resistance.

47.Illustrate the methods used in the harvesting and further processing of food of animal origin.

48.Identify and interpret the main hazards associated with farming and food production.

49.Apply knowledge of the aetiology, pathophysiology & epidemiology of conditions of veterinary interest, including potentially emerging diseases, common in species kept for food - appraising animal welfare throughout the food chain.

50.Detail ante and post mortem inspection of food animals, describe post mortem findings and correctly identify conditions affecting the quality and safety of meat.

51.Apply food sampling techniques and interpret results, analyse food spoilage stages and be able to formulate preventative measures.

52.Propose effective intervention measures to address non-compliances with food hygiene, food safety, animal health and animal welfare legislation in food plants (slaughterhouses and dairy plants).

53.Outline the impact of construction standards in food processing facilities (slaughterhouses and dairy plants) on food hygiene, food safety, animal health and animal welfare.

54.Identify the main requirements to implement effective risk-based food management systems

55.Identify the clinical signs that are indicative of a disease outbreak in intensively farmed animals.

56.Explain the common causes of disease outbreaks in intensively farmed animals.

57.Advise on appropriate management for common and important conditions in intensively farmed animals.