Veterinary Degrees Online

Each course offered in the Department is prefixed by one of the codes BIO, BOT, MCB or ZOO indicating that it is a Biology, Botany, Microbiology or Zoology course, respectively. This is followed by four-digit number. The first digit indicates the level or year to which the course belongs; the second digit denotes the Credit Value/Load of the course amongst all courses of that particular level e.g. BIO 1201 (Biology; Level One; Two credits; first level one Biology course).

COURSE ASSESSMENT
Courses are assessed as follows:
a Courses with practical components:
Continuous Assessment 20%
Practical 20%
Examination 60%

b Courses Without practical Components
Continuous Assessment 30%
Examination 70%

COURSE CATEGORIZATION
For each Degree Programme, courses are categorized as follows:

Core Courses: These are courses which must be registered and passed before graduation.

Pre- requisite courses: A pre-requisite course is a course which must be registered and passed prior to taking another specified course e.g. MCB 2201 is a pre-requisite for MCB 2202.

Electives: These are courses from which a student could select to make for credit requirement of a particular level.

REGULATIONS FOR DEGREE PROGRAMMES
The current general regulations of the University (as stipulated in the Students Handbook) and the regulations of the Faculty of Science apply. In addition to these regulations, the following departmental regulations also apply:

All level I students in the Department are required to register 8 credits each of Biology and Chemistry courses, 6 credits of Mathematics courses (MTH 1301 and MTH 1303) and GSP 1202 (Study Skills). The remaining 8 credits should be taken from any of the following subjects: Geography, Mathematics or Physics. However, B.Sc. Microbiology students must register the remaining 8 credits from Physics courses only.

In addition to the course courses specific to each Programme at the 200 level, the following courses are also compulsory for all Level II students of the Department: GSP 2201 (Foundation of Nigerian Culture), GSP 2202 (Nigerian Government and Economy), BCH 2301 (Biochemistry I) CSC 2201 (Introduction to Computer) and CHM 2240 (Organic Chemistry).

All Level III students of the Department are required to take BIO 3102 (Filed Course I) and BIO 3399 (Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme, SIWES).

In addition to core courses for each programme at the 400 Level each final year student in the Department is required to take the following courses as pre-requisites for the award of a degree offered by the Department. BIO 4201 (Review Essay). BIO 4213 (Field Course II) and BIO 4699 (Final Year Project).

To gain entry to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science/Bachelor of Veterinary Biology course, applicants are required to demonstrate:
a high level of academic ability through previous studies
an interest in, and commitment to, rural Australia, veterinary science and animal production
an understanding of the unique ethical and practical issues that confront veterinarians involved with rural practice and animal production
the capacity to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Previous studies
Previous studies include:
the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate/overseas equivalent
a completed or part-completed course of a university (equivalent to at least one year of full-time study)

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Universities Admissions Index (UAI) or interstate equivalent. Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science/Bachelor of Veterinary Biology course however students with a strong interest in science would be expected to do chemistry if attending a school where it is offered.

Entry requirements
Entry requirements 120 points

One subject, preferable Biology but other sciences will be considered, at A-level / Vocational A-level.

BTEC National Award at Distinction (equivalent to 120 points).

Applicants with relevant prior learning or work experience not leading to a formal qualification are welcomed and will be considered on an individual basis.

Reasons to choose this course
Brand new animal unit on campus to support the course
Our estate houses 54 species, over 300 animals in total
Vocational approach with strong industry links for excellent placement and work experience opportunities.

About the course
The course is vocational in nature, with strong industry links applied during work experience and career planning. Lectures cover the major principles of anatomy and physiology, behaviour, ecology and nutrition. However, the FdSc involves a slightly slower pace of learning combined with a greater emphasis on applied aspects. The course combines the study of wild animal populations with that of captive animals, both domestic and exotic.

Special features
The flexibility of the animal provision at the University will enable you to develop expertise in a variety of animals ranging from companion and production animals to wildlife and exotic breeds. The Brackenhurst campus has a number of specialist units for animal, equine and farm studies, including an animal unit housing over 300 animals, representing 54 different species. The campus also includes a range of semi-natural and constructed habitats which provide a valuable resource for students.

After successful completion of the FdSc Animal Studies course you can progress onto to the final year of the BSc (Hons) Animal Biology course via a gateway module. This module comprises of a ten-week summer school which provides additional underpinning for level three studies.

The Animal Unit
The brand-new animal unit at Brackenhurst campus provides the ideal environment for the study of animals.

It houses cats, dogs, reptiles, rabbits, birds, fish and rodents. Outside there is accommodation for larger animals such as goats, sheep, donkeys and poultry. Students therefore experience the day-to-day challenges involved in running an animal enterprise and are able to draw on the strong ties which have been established with industry. Students also benefit greatly from guest lectures and visits.

Opportunities
Progression onto the final year of the BSc (Hons) Animal Biology degree is possible for graduates of the foundation degree on successful completion of a qualifying summer school.

Assessment
Students’ work is assessed using a variety of methods, including coursework such as assignments, reports, projects, presentations and case studies. There are also examinations and tests that assess your knowledge and understanding, and individual project work to encourage independent thinking.

Your future career
Animal Studies graduates are well-placed for entry into a variety of careers within the animal industry. Potential areas for employment include work in wildlife parks, zoological collections, welfare organisations and governmental departments, alongside work as behaviour consultants or animal trainers. Alternatively you may decide to use your degree as a progression route to further study.