Back to Find Units Page

Unit of Study VTEC1001 - Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technologists (2025)

Show me unit information for year

Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    1. To pass the unit, students must complete and satisfy requirements for all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: We recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Any engagement opportunity missed, regardless of the reason, can decrease the opportunity for learning. It is expected that students will attend and participate in all scheduled classes and activities for this unit. Whilst many learning sessions may not include direct assessment, many will be linked to a summative assessment task in some way.

Unit description

This unit introduces concepts in anatomy and physiology using a body systems approach across a range of animal species, with an emphasis on the domestic species most commonly encountered in veterinary practice.  Students will develop a foundational understanding of the structure and function of animal body systems and practical skills in dissection and histology. 

Unit content

  1. Getting started - core concepts, skin and musculoskeletal system
  2. Muscles, bones and brains - musculoskeletal system and nervous system
  3. Transport and defence - cardiovascular, immune and lymphatic systems
  4. Breathing and feeding - respiratory and digestive systems
  5. Fuel and filters - digestive system, metabolism, endocrine and urinary systems
  6. Reproduction and waste - urinary system and reproductive system

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3

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:

use knowledge to describe and discuss the gross and tissue anatomy of body systems in various veterinary species using correct terminology

use knowledge to describe and discuss the normal physiology of body systems in various veterinary species using correct terminology

demonstrate practical skills in tissue dissection and histology

demonstrate reflective practice in applying foundational knowledge of animal systems to the clinical setting.

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment

  • Overalls

  • Safety Boots

  • Stethoscope

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.