Course Catalogue

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BVMS 4 is the second 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.

Typical Timetable BVMS 4

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

Workplace based learning is shown as hours/week but flexibility will be required to maximise the clinical opportunities available, so some sessions may run out-with these periods.

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Students must have successfully completed the BVMS 3 course including achieving a pass in all compulsory but non-graded assessments and achieved grade D3 or better in all degree examinations in the preceding session.

Recommended Entry Requirements

Not applicable

Not applicable

None

Assessment

End of Course Assessment

There are course assessments as follows: 

Knowledge and understanding assessment

The grade for this assessment will be derived from a range of assessment modalities such as short answer (including clinical decision-making questions) and multiple-choice question. (60%)   

Competency assessment

The grade for this assessment will be derived from the grade achieved for the Professional portfolio (15%) and a 1.5hr end of course objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) (25%).

Professional Portfolio

A Professional Portfolio will be summatively assessed at the end of the course. The purpose of the

Professional Portfolio is to promote personal development planning, support the development of skills

in reflection and reflective practice and demonstrate that students have met the intended learning outcomes of the course relating to professional skills.

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 portfolio will include the continuous assessment tasks which may include self-directed or collaborative learning assignments, written reports, analysis of data, literature appraisal etc.

A candidate must achieve a minimum of Grade D in all individual aspects of the examinationsand in the Portfolio in order for the candidate to progress to the next phase of the programme.

The BVMS4 course forms the second 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 BVMS4 course aims to offer opportunities to develop knowledge in additional areas of clinical practice beyond those developed in BVMS3; extend skills and continue development of attitudes required to work in the clinical environment, to hone clinical decision making skills and to prepare 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.Apply growth in the skills, attitudes and responsibilities, in relation to Year 4 topics, required of a veterinary surgeon and be able to reflect on these

2.Apply effective written and verbal communication, in relation to Year 4 topics, expected of a veterinary surgeon

3.Apply increased capability in the use of diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical skills to a level expected of a new graduate in relation to Years 1-4 topics

4.Identify those infectious diseases that occur in the UK and those which have a global distribution

5.Take an appropriate case history, perform a full clinical examination and evidence knowledge of risk factors & clinical signs of disease of adult ruminants

6.Assess reproductive problems in species of veterinary interest based on history and clinical examination findings.

7.Identify clinical signs indicative of a neurolocomotor problem.

8.Perform and evaluate a neurological and orthopaedic examination in domestic species.

9.Perform and interpret a clinical examination in a range of non-traditional companion animal species.

10.Perform and interpret dermatological and ophthalmological examinations in a range of domestic species but with emphasis on the dog, cat and horse

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

12.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

13.Identify agents and apply knowledge of the aetiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of key diseases/conditions of adults in the ruminant production cycle

14.Explain the aetiology, pathophysiology & epidemiology of reproductive conditions of species of veterinary interest

15.Explain the common causes of lameness and neurological dysfunction in domestic species.

16.Explain the common causes of disease in non-traditional companion animal species and zoo animals

17.Explain the common causes of dermatological and ophthalmological diseases in a range of domestic species but with emphasis on the dog, cat and horse

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

19.Apply a systematic approach to investigation of adult stock and (including at the flock and herd level) and evidence knowledge of the relevant diagnostic tools

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

21.Explain the commonly used aids for diagnosis (and appraise results) of the orthopaedic and neurologic case including radiography, CT, MRI, ultrasonography, scintigraphy synovial fluid analysis, CSF analysis, serology and arthroscopy.

22.Explain the commonly used aids for diagnosis (and appraise results) of the dermatological and ophthalmological cases.

23.Explain the approach to the diagnosis and assessment of disease in non-traditional companion animal species and zoo animals and specifically the importance of dietary and environmental factors

24.Select and interpret appropriate clinico-pathological tests and suitable diagnostic investigations relevant to intensively farmed animals

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

26.Evaluate current therapies and formulate control/prevention plans for common diseases adult ruminants (at an individual and group level).

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

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

29.Formulate a therapeutic plan to treat/manage neurolocomotor conditions, demonstrating an understanding of principles of dietary management, microbiology, pharmacology and toxicology and surgery.

30.Formulate a therapeutic plan to treat/manage a non-traditional companion animal patient.

31.Formulate a therapeutic plan to treat/manage a dermatological or ophthalmological problems in a range of domestic species but with emphasis on the dog, cat and horse

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

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

34.Apply food sampling techniques and be able to appraise results of microbiological examinations

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

36.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

37.Detail ante and post mortem inspection of food animals and correctly identify conditions affecting the quality and safety of meat

38.Analyse food spoilage stages and be able to formulate preventative measures

39.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).

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

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

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

43.Analyse individual and herd reproductive performance and epidemiological data and summarise to recommend preventative interventions

44.Analyse performance and epidemiological data and summarise to recommend preventative interventions in intensively farmed animals

45.Apply an appreciation of the impact of domesticated species on society and environment in relation to Year 4 topics

46.Be able to design effective biosecurity plans for disease containment for both the individual and group of animals.

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

48.Apply an understanding of legislation it relate to reproductive disease in animals of veterinary importance

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

50.Identify the risks of zoonotic diseases present in zoo animals and non-traditional companion animals

51.Follow the appropriate legislative guidelines to prescribe and store medicines in intensively farmed animals

52.Identify factors; individual, organisational, client and financial considerations that impact on veterinary practice in a business context as they apply to Year 4 topics

53.Use research methods to collect, analyse and interpret data in the light of published information as it relates to Year 4 topics.