Outline

Overview

This Unit of Study introduces the student to foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes for being an effective veterinary professional. Key themes include lifelong learning, professionalism, one health, communication, teamwork, ethics, the human-animal bond and anthrozoology, cultural competence, emotional intelligence and leadership. The course also orientates you to studying with the Faculty and University as you attain your veterinary degree. Specifically, this Unit of Study will prepare you for: contributing to society as a professional veterinarian; making the most of your veterinary degree; conducting effective veterinary consultations; working successfully in veterinary workplace environments and teams; fostering positive practices in relation to professional wellbeing and self-care; maintaining clear professional records; upholding professional standards and ethics; effectively approaching situations in different cultural settings; managing your finances and career; and consistently improving your professional practice. Developing your knowledge and skills in these areas will help you develop veterinary graduate attributes essential for long term effectiveness and success in your veterinary career.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	VETS6101
Academic unit	School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations
Credit points	3
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	One semester of study in each of: general chemistry (physical and inorganic), organic chemistry, biology and biochemistry
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sanaa Zaki, sanaa.zaki@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Participation in RLAs active participation in all Required Learning Activities (RLAs)	0%	Ongoing	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Team Presentation with Peer Assessment Oral presentation	40%	Week 04 Due date: 18 Mar 2022 at 10:00	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Final exam (Record+)	Written examination Multiple choice and short answer questions	60%	Week 08 Due date: 13 Apr 2022 at 09:00	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Group work: Team presentation with peer assessment of a case study applying professional practice principles in the workplace.

Written examination: Multiple choice and short answer questions evaluating learning outcomes and based on lecture notes, class discussions, online modules and relevant literature.

Final exam: If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Student has demonstrated the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by assignment grade descriptors and exam question exemplars provided.
Distinction	75 - 84	Student has demonstrated the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by assignment grade descriptors and exam question exemplars provided.
Credit	65 - 74	Student has demonstrated the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by assignment grade descriptors and exam question exemplars provided.
Pass	50 - 64	Student has demonstrated the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by assignment grade descriptors and exam question exemplars provided.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Orientation and Welcome - Day 1	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
	Orientation and Welcome - Day 2	Online class (6 hr)
	Introduction to Professional Practice	Online class (1 hr)
	Emotional intelligence - Know yourself	Online class (2 hr)
	Professionalism and Student Conduct	Online class (3 hr)
	Life-long Learning and Reflective Practice	Online class (1 hr)
	Resilience and Self care	Online class (2 hr)
	Professionalism and Ethics	Online class (3 hr)
	One Health Field trip	Field trip (7 hr)
Week 02	Anthrozoology	Lecture (2 hr)
	Evidence-based Practice	Lecture (2 hr)
	One Health Workshop	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Financial Health - Budgets	Independent study (1 hr)
	Building Successful Teams	Online class (2 hr)
	Emotional Intelligence - Personality/Perfectionism	Online class (2 hr)
	Risk assessment & Risk management	Online class (1 hr)
	Workplace Health and Safety	Online class (1 hr)
	Emotional Intelligence - Managing Self & Others	Online class (2 hr)
	Emotional intelligence - Leadership	Online class (1.5 hr)
	Career Management	Online class (1.5 hr)
	Team Code/Presentation planning	Online class (0.5 hr)
	Veterinary Ethics	Lecture (3 hr)
	Cultural Competence	Lecture (2 hr)
	Financial Health - Panel	Seminar (1 hr)
	Assertive communication and Constructive Feedback	Online class (2 hr)
	Clinical Communication	Online class (2 hr)
	Veterinary Careers - Panel	Online class (1 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. appraise and critically apply codes of conduct and ethical frameworks to decision making in diverse veterinary, university and cultural contexts
LO2. critically evaluate the influence of personal leadership, emotional intelligence and self-care on developing co-operative relationships for working sustainably and effectively as a veterinarian
LO3. apply effective and context specific communication strategies for working successfully as a veterinarian

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Attributes - 10. To collect, organise and analyse information in relation to specific problems, assessing its validity and reaching probabilistic judgements 15. An appreciation of the complexity of ethical issues, the diversity of stakeholder perspectives and the range of cultural values 8. The veterinary legislative environment American Veterinary Medical Association - 8. ethical and professional conduct; communication skills including those that demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to how clients’ diversity and individual circumstance can impact health care European Coordination Committee for Veterinary Training (EECVT) Day One Competencies - 1.1. Understand the ethical and legal responsibilities of the veterinary surgeon in relation to patients, clients, society and the environment. 1.10. Use their professional capabilities to contribute to the advancement of veterinary knowledge, in order to improve the quality of animal care and veterinary public health. 1.12. Demonstrate that they recognise personal and professional limits, and know how to seek professional advice, assistance and support when necessary. 1.9. Understand and apply principles of clinical governance, and practise evidence-based veterinary medicine. 2.11. Principles of effective interpersonal interaction, including communication, leadership, management and team working. 2.12. The ethical framework within which veterinary surgeons should work, including important ethical theories that inform decision-making in professional and animal welfare-related ethics. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 2.2. Transboundary animal diseases 2.3. Zoonoses
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Attributes - 13. An ability to perform effectively in a workplace including an understanding of organisational systems, human and physical resource management, performance indicators, occupational health and safety, knowledge management and quality control 14. Self-management and group leadership 17. An awareness of the need to communicate with clients and to involve them fully in planning and management American Veterinary Medical Association - 8. ethical and professional conduct; communication skills including those that demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to how clients’ diversity and individual circumstance can impact health care European Coordination Committee for Veterinary Training (EECVT) Day One Competencies - 1.10. Use their professional capabilities to contribute to the advancement of veterinary knowledge, in order to improve the quality of animal care and veterinary public health. 1.12. Demonstrate that they recognise personal and professional limits, and know how to seek professional advice, assistance and support when necessary. 1.6. Work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of services. 1.7. Understand the economic and emotional context in which the veterinary surgeon operates. 2.11. Principles of effective interpersonal interaction, including communication, leadership, management and team working. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 2.2. Transboundary animal diseases 2.3. Zoonoses
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Attributes - 12. To work and communicate effectively and empathetically with colleagues and clients through a range of media with compassion, courtesy, respect, honesty and without discrimination 13. An ability to perform effectively in a workplace including an understanding of organisational systems, human and physical resource management, performance indicators, occupational health and safety, knowledge management and quality control 17. An awareness of the need to communicate with clients and to involve them fully in planning and management 19. A willingness to work effectively in a team with other relevant professionals 9. The ability to acquire information from and about clients and perform and record a clinical examination of their animals and to store and retrieve such information American Veterinary Medical Association - 8. ethical and professional conduct; communication skills including those that demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to how clients’ diversity and individual circumstance can impact health care European Coordination Committee for Veterinary Training (EECVT) Day One Competencies - 1.10. Use their professional capabilities to contribute to the advancement of veterinary knowledge, in order to improve the quality of animal care and veterinary public health. 1.12. Demonstrate that they recognise personal and professional limits, and know how to seek professional advice, assistance and support when necessary. 1.4. Communicate effectively with clients, the public, professional colleagues and responsible authorities, using language appropriate to the audience concerned. 1.6. Work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of services. 2.11. Principles of effective interpersonal interaction, including communication, leadership, management and team working. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 2.2. Transboundary animal diseases 2.3. Zoonoses

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Where possible face-to-face delivery of some classes will resume

Additional information

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

VETS6101: The Veterinary Professional 1

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect