Major structure
Overview
Overview
This major is available in the Bachelor of Science.
The Veterinary Bioscience major is designed for students looking to progress into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. It is only available to students who have a provisional or conditional offer for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Enrolment in every subject requires Faculty of Science approval.
Major structure
The Veterinary Bioscience e major is made up of ten subjects (125 credit points) taken in your second and third year. Each subject is worth 12.5 credit points. Level 2 subjects are usually taken in second year, and Level 3 subjects in third year.
To complete this major, you’ll need:
12.5 credit points of Level 2 major core
12.5 credit points of Level 2 major elective
87.5 credit points of Level 3 major core
12.5 credit points of Level 3 capstone
The rest of your degree will consist of a Level 1 science core subject, your choice of elective subjects in science, and breadth (non-science) subjects.
Further information
You can find detailed information about your major – including structure, subject availability, and participation requirements – in the Handbook.
You can also explore your study pathway and sample course plans through My Course Planner.
Sample course plan
View some sample course plans to help you select subjects that will meet the requirements for this major.
Veterinary Biosciences Start-year intake
The Veterinary BioSciences major is only available to students who have received a provisional/conditional course offer to commence the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine following successful completion of the Bachelor of Science. To satisfy enrolment rules for the Bachelor of Science, as well as the requirements of this major, students must complete a minimum of 50 points of breadth (four subjects) over the first two years (200 points) of the Bachelor of Science degree. A maximum of 37.5 points (3 breadth subjects) may be completed at Level 1 (first year level), and a minimum of 12.5 points (1 breadth subject) must be completed at Level 2 (second year level) or Level 3 (third year level).
Year 1
100 pts
- Foundational Biology: Life's Complexity – elective – BIOL10010 – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- breadth – 12.5 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Frontiers in Veterinary Science – major – VETS20019 – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- breadth – 12.5 pts
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – major – BCMB20002 – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- breadth – 12.5 pts
Year 3
100 pts
Explore this major
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this major.
Students must complete all required core subjects
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 12.5 pts |
This subject will introduce students to the broad scope of animal health, and the role of veterinarians in addressing grand veterinary challenges of our time. Students will be introduced to the determinants of animal health, as well as the concept of the interconnectedness of the health of humans, animals and the environment. Key themes that will be explored during the course, with reference to contemporary challenges, will include:
|
| Veterinary Bioscience: Cardiovasc System · 12.5 pts |
Using clinical cases to illustrate principles, this subject examines the structure, function and potential for dysfunction of the cardiovascular system of the major domestic animal species. As students develop an understanding of the mechanisms of disease of this system, they will develop skills in the clinical evaluation of it and in the interpretation of relevant diagnostic procedures. |
| Veterinary Bioscience: Digestive System · 12.5 pts |
Using clinical cases to illustrate principles, this subject examines the structure, function and potential for dysfunction of the digestive system of the major domestic animal species. As students develop an understanding of the mechanisms of disease of this system, they will develop skills in the clinical evaluation of it and in the interpretation of relevant diagnostic procedures. |
| Veterinary Bioscience: Metabolism · 12.5 pts |
Using clinical cases to illustrate principles, this subject introduces students to the normal structure and function of the hepatobiliary, urinary and endocrine systems of the domestic animals, the disease processes that may affect these systems, and the causes and potential consequences of such disease. Students will develop skills in the clinical evaluation of the liver, urinary tract and endocrine system, including the selection and analysis of diagnostic tests of hepatic, renal and endocrine function. |
| Veterinary Bioscience:Respiratory System · 12.5 pts |
Using clinical cases to illustrate principles, this subject examines the structure, function and potential for dysfunction of the respiratory system of the major domestic animal species. As students develop an understanding of the mechanisms of disease of this system, they will develop skills in the clinical evaluation of it and in the interpretation of relevant diagnostic procedures. |
| Veterinary Bioscience: Cells to Systems · 12.5 pts |
This subject takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the investigation of health and disease in domestic animals. Students will be introduced to the structural and functional organisational units of the body and to the fundamental principles of veterinary anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, general pathology and immunology. Students will gain a theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory skills that are fundamental to an appraisal of the health of domestic animals. |
| Introduction to Professional Practice · 12.5 pts |
This capstone subject introduces students to aspects of professional practice for veterinarians, such as the role of the veterinarian in the community, characteristics of veterinary leadership and the skills required to work effectively as a team member and attend to the well-being of self and others. This subject also examines the major non-production animal industries in Australia and internationally, with a focus on the impact of management practices on the health and welfare of animal populations. Students will develop an appreciation of the major determinants of profitability, productivity and sustainability of these industries, be able to describe the basic principles of breeding, management, nutrition, animal welfare and disease control as they relate to non-production animal industries and specify where veterinary input may be important. Students will gain an understanding of the ethical and legal frameworks that govern animal industries in Australia, assuring the safe, ethical and legal management of animals. Students will be given the opportunity to develop skills in risk assessment and handling of cattle, horses, sheep, dogs and cats before demonstrating their proficiency in the structured assessments. |
| Animal Production Systems 1 · 12.5 pts |
This subject examines the major extensive animal production systems in Australia and internationally, with a focus on the impact of management practices on the health and welfare of animal populations. Through case-based syndicate work relevant to the major extensive production systems (beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, camelids and goats), students will develop an appreciation of the major determinants of profitability, productivity and sustainability of these industries, be able to describe the basic principles of breeding, management, nutrition, animal welfare and disease control as they relate to extensive animal production systems, and be able to specify where veterinary input may be important. Students will gain an understanding of the ethical and legal frameworks that govern the major extensive livestock industries in Australia, assuring the safe, ethical and legal production of food and fibre products. |
| Animal Production Systems 2 · 12.5 pts |
This subject examines the major intensive animal production systems in Australia and internationally, with a focus on the impact of management practices on the health and welfare of animal populations. Through industry-based placements as well as case-based syndicate work relevant to the major intensive production systems (poultry, pigs, fish and laboratory animals), students will develop an appreciation of the major determinants of profitability, productivity and sustainability of these industries, be able to describe the basic principles of breeding, management, nutrition, animal welfare and disease control as they relate to intensive animal production systems, and be able to specify where veterinary input may be important. Students will gain an understanding of the ethical and legal frameworks that govern the major intensive livestock industries in Australia, assuring the safe, ethical and legal production of food products. |
Students select subjects according to the major requirements
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry in Agricultural Systems · 12.5 pts |
An understanding of the chemical processes that occur in living organisms is essential to understanding how plants, animals and microbes function, and therefore the best management practices that will result in optimal health and productivity. This subject is designed to introduce students to the discipline of biochemistry, to allow them to develop a basic understanding of the biological chemistry underpinning function at the cellular and system levels. Topics covered will include: cellular structure and biochemical function, structure of biomolecules including proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, energy generating pathways, photosynthesis, metabolism, fixation and assimilation of nitrogen, transformation of metals, phosphorus and sulphur, comparative metabolism in ruminants and avians and the regulation of metabolism by hormones and isoprenoids. |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology · 12.5 pts |
This subject is an introduction to the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, building on 1st year chemical principles relating molecular structure to biological function. The content includes a detailed introduction to the structure of biological building blocks (amino acids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids). The subject covers the structure and function of proteins, including the properties of enzymes, their regulation and kinetic behaviour. How nucleic acids replicate information, are maintained and repaired and serve as a template for the synthesis of RNAs and proteins (i.e. molecular biology) is addressed. The structure of lipids is examined to show their major biological roles, particularly as components of cell membranes. Metabolic pathways (glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogen metabolism, TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation) will complete this core coverage of essential biochemistry. The subject is designed to stand alone, but it complements the laboratory experiences in the subject BCMB20005 “Techniques in Molecular Science”, Each of these level-2 subjects can be taken independently, concurrently or in either order. |