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Unit of Study VBIO1003 - Anatomy and Physiology 3 (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    Students must have completed all units in Year 1 AND AHWIL-1 (2 weeks) before enrolling in this unit. 1. To pass the unit, students must submit all assessment tasks 2. Attendance: It is important to recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Please take advantage of all classes and engagement activities as it will increase your opportunity for learning, progression in the course, and success as a veterinarian. For units with practicals and other learning activities that directly relate to developing AVBC day one competencies that are required for veterinary accreditation, attendance is required. These will be identified within each unit and attendance requirements clearly communicated to students.

Unit description

This unit provides the essential foundational knowledge of the normal development, structure and function of the haematological, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Students will study microscopic and gross anatomy and will learn about the normal physiological processes across a range of species. This will provide them with the ability to recognise the normal animal body of the variety of species commonly encountered in veterinary practice. By completing this unit, students will be equipped with a robust set of skills and knowledge that serve as the cornerstone for their professional practice as veterinary professionals.  1. Comprehensive Animal Anatomy and Physiology: Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of the haematological, cardiovascular and respiratory systems across a variety of animal species. This foundational knowledge will enable them to recognize normal anatomical features and physiological processes, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of animal health conditions.  2. Comparative and Integrative Thinking: Learners will cultivate the ability to analyse and compare the structural and functional characteristics of these key body systems across different animal species. This comparative approach will foster their capacity to adapt and apply their knowledge to perse clinical scenarios, enhancing their problem-solving and decision-making skills.  3. Students will gain the basic skills to assess the health and function of the haematological cardiovascular and respiratory systems and their role in haemostasis and health using diagnostic techniques. This will prepare student to conduct thorough clinical examinations and interpret basic diagnostic findings, which are essential for providing comprehensive veterinary care. 

Unit content

  1. General principles, structure and function of the haematological, cardiovascular and respiratory systems 
  2. Embryological development of the cardiovascular, respiratory and haematological systems
  3. Comparative anatomy of the cardiovascular system and haematology profiles
  4. Physiology of the cardiovascular and haematological systems
  5. Comparative anatomy of the respiratory system
  6. Physiology of the respiratory system

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2026

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

identify and describe the normal body structure (anatomy and histology), development (embryology) and function (physiology) of the haematological, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems across a range of animal species

compare and contrast the anatomical and physiological features of the haematological, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems in different animal species, identifying similarities and differences

relate the interactivity of the haematological, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems to evaluate their role in haemostasis and health in different animal species

apply knowledge of the haematological, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems to evaluate their physiological function using basic diagnostic tests, in a variety of animal species.