Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
-
Duration
5 years full-time
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Location
-
Placements
Yes
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ATAR
85
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Inherent Requirements
Yes
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7
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Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
BVetMed(Hons)
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Course code
3508006
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Credit points
480
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Equivalent units
40
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Indicative Fee
Overview
The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) is a five-year, full-time degree offered at the Southern Cross University Northern Rivers (Lismore) campus. It provides a comprehensive, skills-intensive and academically rigorous education, preparing graduates for a rewarding career in veterinary medicine.
The degree includes early development of clinical problem-solving skills by connecting basic and clinical sciences. There will be extensive opportunities to practise and hone core clinical, communication, and teamwork skills.
Work-Integrated Learning is central to the curriculum and covers a wide variety of contexts, from companion animal veterinary practice to large-scale production animal and mixed rural practice, critical care, native wildlife, regulatory practice and surgery.
For more detailed information on the course, please refer to the Course Information Package.
Important information for applicants:
There are a number of prerequisites and additional requirements that need to be met before applying for this course. Please refer to the How to Apply page for more information.
Vaccination Requirements
Students must receive compulsory vaccinations (Q-Fever and Tetanus) prior to commencement of study in Term 1. Other recommended vaccinations (not compulsory) are Lyssa Virus (rabies), COVID, and annual Influenza.
Attendance Requirements
Students must attend and participate in all scheduled classes and activities. While some learning sessions may not include direct assessment, they are all linked to the capabilities and knowledge you must demonstrate as a graduate veterinarian.
Travel and Equipment
Students are expected to fund and organise their own travel to external partner locations and will need to provide some of their own equipment (PPE, boots, overalls).
Additional Costs
There will be additional costs associated with your course. Please refer to the Additional Costs Guide for an indication of extra costs.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Scholarship: Retrieve, critically review and evaluate the validity of information to practice evidence-based veterinary medicine. Clinical Reasoning and Decision-making: Apply critical thinking skills and knowledge to prioritise problems then select and undertake diagnostic procedures and treatment plans. Clinical Reasoning and Decision-making: Develop and adapt treatment, diagnostic and prognostic recommendations to consider animal and client needs, available resources, ethical, regulatory requirements and the social context. |
GA2: Creativity Clinical Reasoning and Decision-making: Develop and adapt treatment, diagnostic and prognostic recommendations to consider animal and client needs, available resources, ethical, regulatory requirements and the social context. |
GA3: Ethical practice Clinical Reasoning and Decision-making: Develop and adapt treatment, diagnostic and prognostic recommendations to consider animal and client needs, available resources, ethical, regulatory requirements and the social context. Veterinary Public Health: Successfully engage in One Health activities to promote the health and safety of animals, people and the environment. Collaboration: Demonstrate the professional responsibilities, ethics and behaviours expected of registered veterinarians and effectively engage with members of professional/interprofessional teams in a range of cultural contexts. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Basic Science Knowledge: Apply advanced knowledge of animal structure, function, and biological processes identifying normal and abnormal states. Animal Handling and Clinical Skills: Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to safely handle and manage animals to enable comprehensive and relevant examination and sample collection. Clinical Reasoning and Decision-making: Apply critical thinking skills and knowledge to prioritise problems then select and undertake diagnostic procedures and treatment plans. Individual Animal Care and Management: Perform routine clinical procedures, including anaesthesia, surgery and management of common emergencies. Clinical Reasoning and Decision-making: Develop and adapt treatment, diagnostic and prognostic recommendations to consider animal and client needs, available resources, ethical, regulatory requirements and the social context. Animal Population Care and Management: Demonstrate knowledge and skills in optimizing health, welfare, disease surveillance, prevention, and economics in managing animal populations. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Scholarship: Retrieve, critically review and evaluate the validity of information to practice evidence-based veterinary medicine. Animal Population Care and Management: Demonstrate knowledge and skills in optimizing health, welfare, disease surveillance, prevention, and economics in managing animal populations. Professionalism and Professional Identity: Take responsibility for professional and personal growth through lifelong learning, reflective practice and self-awareness of limitations. Financial and Practice Management: Demonstrate business acumen through a fundamental knowledge of veterinary organizations, including their management, business principles and governing legislation. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Clinical Reasoning and Decision-making: Develop and adapt treatment, diagnostic and prognostic recommendations to consider animal and client needs, available resources, ethical, regulatory requirements and the social context. Veterinary Public Health: Successfully engage in One Health activities to promote the health and safety of animals, people and the environment. Communication: Communicate effectively using oral, written and electronic formats to interact appropriately according to the audience and context. Collaboration: Demonstrate the professional responsibilities, ethics and behaviours expected of registered veterinarians and effectively engage with members of professional/interprofessional teams in a range of cultural contexts. |
GA7: Cultural competence Collaboration: Demonstrate the professional responsibilities, ethics and behaviours expected of registered veterinarians and effectively engage with members of professional/interprofessional teams in a range of cultural contexts. |
This course includes 56 weeks of core professional placement (Work-Integrated Learning or WIL) in a variety of veterinary and professional practice and animal health settings that include:
- Animal Husbandry WIL (10 weeks)
- Pre-Clinical WIL (4 weeks)
- Extra-Mural WIL (12 weeks)
- Intra-Mural Clinical WIL (30 weeks).
Please refer to the Work-Integrated Learning Outline for detailed information.
This course is very practical in nature and requires students to demonstrate development of what are known as ‘Day 1 Competencies’. This is a term used by accreditation bodies to describe the standard of knowledge, skills and abilities you must possess as a graduate veterinarian.
While some instruction is conducted online, students are required to attend face-to-face teaching sessions on-campus each week with many learning activities occurring off-campus at veterinary industry sites. Students are expected to fund and organise their own travel to external partner locations and need to provide their own protective clothing (laboratory coat, overalls, boots, scrubs). Students may also, on occasion, require additional equipment such as PPE (e.g. safety goggles). In some instances, buses will be provided for travel to and from the external site.
Please note: All students are required to undertake visits to abattoirs and observe the slaughter of livestock for human consumption. Animal cadavers are used as part of teaching and learning in this course.
Important information about your placements:
Veterinary Medicine students must complete compulsory vaccinations (QFever and Tetanus) prior to commencement of study in Term 1. Other recommended vaccinations (not compulsory) are Lyssa Virus (rabies) and annual Influenza.
Fitness to Practice (FtP) Guidelines
Fitness to practice refers to the ability of a veterinary student to meet the necessary physical, mental, and ethical standards required for safe and effective veterinary care. It encompasses knowledge, skills, professional behaviour, and the ability to handle the demands of the profession. As a candidate for veterinary medical studies, understanding fitness to practice ensures you are aware of the potential challenges of a career in veterinary medicine. Cultivating a professional ethical identity is imperative to the profession and foundational to meeting the expectations of integrity, respect and trust in community.
Veterinary Sciences Inherent Requirements
Please ensure you have reviewed and understand the Inherent Requirements for this course.
Students will develop a solid theoretical understanding of animal husbandry, microbiology, genetics and breeding, anatomy and physiology, population health, food safety, animal nutrition, pharmacology and pathology.
| Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lismore | Term 1 | N/A | N/A |
Career Outcomes
The Australasian Veterinary Boards Council has granted the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) course the accreditation classification of Reasonable Assurance.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours), applicants must:
Academic Factors
1. Meet at least one of the required achievement standards:
- Year 12 studies that meet the minimum ATAR/rank specified; or
- Tertiary studies of at least 1 year or full time equivalent, of a Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 5.5 or above; or
- Completed tertiary studies (Bachelor’s degree or above) with a GPA of 5.0 or above
Non-Academic Factors
2. Demonstrated previous experience working with animals and an aptitude for understanding veterinary or animal health sector workplaces by providing a personal statement and evidence detailing:
- Practical experience working with animals
- Motivation for application and interest in the veterinary profession
3. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview, which will assess:
- Communication skills
- Suitability for the veterinary profession
Students within the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) are assumed to have foundational knowledge in one or two subjects such as advanced mathematics, biology, agriculture, chemistry or physics.
English Language Requirements:
Applicants will meet the Language Admission requirements if they have:
- Completed at least 2 years of senior secondary studies which was taught and assessed solely in English in Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, OR
- Have successfully completed and attained a tertiary (equivalent AQF 7 Bachelor degree or higher) of at least 1-year full time duration which was taught and assessed solely in English in Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America
Alternatively:
- A valid IELTS Academic test score overall 7.0 with no sub score below 7.0 (or equivalent scores in a SCU approved English language proficiency test in a single siting
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7 |
| Reading | 7 |
| Writing | 7 |
| Listening | 7 |
| Speaking | 7 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) students must successfully complete ALL of the following requirements:
- 38 core units (480 credit points); and
- 10 weeks animal husbandry WIL, 4 weeks pre-clinical WIL, 6 weeks clinical WIL; and
- Professional, practical and clinical skills assessments across the program
Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
To meet professional regulatory and course accreditation requirements for the BVetMed, students MUST successfully complete the following listed work integrated learning requirements prior to graduation. Professional attributes and behaviours as outlined in the Fitness to Practice guidelines MUST be demonstrated during the WIL undertakings.
- 10 weeks animal handling WIL; and
- 4 weeks preclinical WIL; and
- 12 weeks clinical WIL (6 weeks delivered as units VMED4003 and VMED4005) and 6 weeks non-unit-based delivery); and
- 30 weeks intramural WIL (delivered as units VMED4001 and VMED4002)
Refer to the BVetMed Work Integrated Learning Outline.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details. Refer to the Veterinary Sciences Inherent Requirements.
Fitness to Practice
Students are required to be vaccinated with Q-Fever (including results) and Tetanus before starting any units. Refer to the Veterinary Sciences Fitness to Practice Guidelines.
Progression and Leave of Absence (LoA)
Students wishing to take any period away from their study must consult with and seek approval from the Course Coordinator.
Students who have taken a LoA greater than 12 months must meet with the Course Coordinator to determine continuation of study. Continuation of study may not necessarily be guaranteed depending on the period and nature of the absence.
Honours
All students successfully completing this course will be awarded Honours. Additionally, a student who has reached the required standard of academic performance may be awarded Honours with one of the following merit descriptors based on the criteria specified in Rule 10:
- First Class Honours
- Second Class Honours Division I
- Second Class Honours Division II
Course structure
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Credit points | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students wishing to take any period away from their study must consult with the Course Coordinator. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
First Year |
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| VETS1001 | Foundations of Veterinary Professionalism and Communication |
Term1
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ANIM1001 | Animal Husbandry, Handling and Behaviour |
Term1
|
12 | Note 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| BIOL1005 | Cells and Molecules |
Term2,3
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| BIOL2007 | Biochemistry |
Term2,4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ANIM1002 | Animal Production, Husbandry and Handling |
Term3
|
12 | Note 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VBIO1001 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 |
Term3
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VBIO1002 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 |
Term4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VMED1001 | Clinical Integration 1 |
Term4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Students must complete 2 weeks of Animal Handling WIL (AHWIL-1) before starting second year. | Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Second Year |
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| Students must have successfully completed all units in the first year progression before commencing second year units. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VBIO1003 | Anatomy and Physiology 3 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VBIO1004 | Anatomy and Physiology 4 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VETS2002 | Applied Veterinary Microbiology |
Term2
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VBIO1006 | Introduction to Pathophysiology | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VBIO1005 | Anatomy and Physiology 5 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VETS2011 | Animal Nutrition for Health, Performance and Production |
Term4
|
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VBIO2001 | Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED2001 | Clinical Integration 2 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Students must complete 8 weeks of Animal Handling WIL (AHWIL-2) before starting third year. | Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Third Year |
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| Students must have successfully completed all units in the second year progression before commencing third year units. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VETS2013 | Veterinary Professionalism and Communication 2 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED2002 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 1 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED2003 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 2 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED2004 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 3 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED2005 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 4 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED2007 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 5 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED2006 | Behavioural Medicine, Welfare, Ethics and Meat Science | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED3001 | Clinical Integration 3 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Students must complete 4 weeks of Pre-Clinical WIL (PCWIL) and 2 weeks of Clinical WIL (CWIL) before starting fourth year. | Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Fourth Year |
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| Students must have successfully completed all units in the third year progression before commencing fourth year units. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VMED3002 | Applied Small Animal Medicine and Surgery | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED3003 | Applied Equine Medicine and Surgery | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED3004 | Applied Cattle Medicine and Surgery | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED3005 | Population Medicine, VPH and One Health | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED3006 | Intensive Animal Production Systems | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED3007 | General Medicine | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED3008 | Small Ruminants, Avian, Exotics, Wildlife and Emerging Industries | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED3009 | Clinical Integration 4 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Students must complete 6 weeks of Clinical WIL (CWIL-1) before starting fifth year. | Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Fifth Year |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Students must have successfully completed all units in the fourth year progression before commencing fifth year units. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VMED4001 | Veterinary Clinical Rotation 1 | Not currently available |
24 | Note 2, Note 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| VMED4004 | Veterinary Professionalism and Communication 3 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED4003 | EMS: Clinical Placement 1 | Not currently available |
12 | Note 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| VMED4002 | Veterinary Clinical Rotation 2 | Not currently available |
24 | Note 2, Note 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| VMED4006 | Veterinary Professionalism and Communication 4 | Not currently available |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| VMED4005 | EMS: Clinical Placement 2 | Not currently available |
12 | Note 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Note 1:
Students will be required to attend practical sessions at external venues.
Note 2:
This component includes Work Integrated Learning. Students must complete the allocated weeks indicated to fulfil accreditation requirements.
Note 3:
Double weighted
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Year |
|||||
| VETS1001 | Foundations of Veterinary Professionalism and Communication | ||||
| ANIM1001 | Animal Husbandry, Handling and Behaviour | Note 1 | |||
| BIOL1005 | Cells and Molecules | ||||
| BIOL2007 | Biochemistry | ||||
| ANIM1002 | Animal Production, Husbandry and Handling | Note 1 | |||
| VBIO1001 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | ||||
| VBIO1002 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | ||||
| VMED1001 | Clinical Integration 1 | ||||
| Students must complete 2 weeks of Animal Handling WIL (AHWIL-1) before starting second year. | Note 2 | ||||
Second Year |
|||||
| Students must have successfully completed all units in the first year progression before commencing second year units. | |||||
| VBIO1003 | Anatomy and Physiology 3 | ||||
| VBIO1004 | Anatomy and Physiology 4 | ||||
| VETS2002 | Applied Veterinary Microbiology | ||||
| VBIO1006 | Introduction to Pathophysiology | ||||
| VBIO1005 | Anatomy and Physiology 5 | ||||
| VETS2011 | Animal Nutrition for Health, Performance and Production | ||||
| VBIO2001 | Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology | ||||
| VMED2001 | Clinical Integration 2 | ||||
| Students must complete 8 weeks of Animal Handling WIL (AHWIL-2) before starting third year. | Note 2 | ||||
Third Year |
|||||
| Students must have successfully completed all units in the second year progression before commencing third year units. | |||||
| VETS2013 | Veterinary Professionalism and Communication 2 | ||||
| VMED2002 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 1 | ||||
| VMED2003 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 2 | ||||
| VMED2004 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 3 | ||||
| VMED2005 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 4 | ||||
| VMED2007 | Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 5 | ||||
| VMED2006 | Behavioural Medicine, Welfare, Ethics and Meat Science | ||||
| VMED3001 | Clinical Integration 3 | ||||
| Students must complete 4 weeks of Pre-Clinical WIL (PCWIL) before starting fourth year. | Note 2 | ||||
Fourth Year |
|||||
| Students must have successfully completed all units in the third year progression before commencing fourth year units. | |||||
| VMED3002 | Applied Small Animal Medicine and Surgery | ||||
| VMED3003 | Applied Equine Medicine and Surgery | ||||
| VMED3004 | Applied Cattle Medicine and Surgery | ||||
| VMED3005 | Population Medicine, VPH and One Health | ||||
| VMED3006 | Intensive Animal Production Systems | ||||
| VMED3007 | General Medicine | ||||
| VMED3008 | Small Ruminants, Avian, Exotics, Wildlife and Emerging Industries | ||||
| VMED3009 | Clinical Integration 4 | ||||
| Students must completed 6 weeks of Clinical WIL (CWIL-1) before starting fifth year. | Note 2 | ||||
Fifth Year |
|||||
| Students must have successfully completed all units in the fourth year progression before commencing fifth year units. | |||||
| VMED4001 | Veterinary Clinical Rotation 1 | Note 2, Note 3 | |||
| VMED4002 | Veterinary Clinical Rotation 2 | Note 2, Note 3 | |||
| VMED4004 | Veterinary Professionalism and Communication 3 | ||||
| VMED4003 | EMS: Clinical Placement 1 | Note 2 | |||
| VMED4005 | EMS: Clinical Placement 2 | Note 2 | |||
| VMED4006 | Veterinary Professionalism and Communication 4 | ||||