Unit outline_

VETS6202: Professional Skills 2A

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camden, Sydney

In this unit of study students will continue in the development of their confidence and competency in fundamental professional skills relevant to veterinary practice. These will include animal handling, clinical and laboratory skills, as well as the development of relevant personal and professional attributes, and clinical experience in veterinary teaching hospitals. Successful completion of this unit of study requires students to: (1) Attend and actively participate in all compulsory classes, (2) Achieve a pass grade in all assessment tasks, and (3) Submit all compulsory documents (skills logs, feedback forms etc.).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
VETS6101 and VETS6102 and VETS6103 and VETS6104 and VETS6105 and VETS6106 and VETS6107 and VETS6108
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Roslyn Bathgate, roslyn.bathgate@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s) Alison Nolan, alison.nolan@sydney.edu.au
Katrina Walker, katrina.walker@sydney.edu.au
James Christie, james.christie@sydney.edu.au
Rebecca Foster, rebecca.foster@sydney.edu.au
Amy Draper, amy.draper@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jennie Mohler, jennie.mohler@sydney.edu.au
Roslyn Bathgate, roslyn.bathgate@sydney.edu.au
Tony Mogg, tony.mogg@sydney.edu.au
Mark Krockenberger, mark.krockenberger@sydney.edu.au
Rachael Gray, rachael.gray@sydney.edu.au
Elizabeth Tee, elizabeth.tee@sydney.edu.au
Nicolle Kirkwood, nicolle.kirkwood@sydney.edu.au
Caroline Marschner, caroline.marschner@sydney.edu.au
Max Zuber, max.zuber@sydney.edu.au
Shannon Donahoe, shannon.donahoe@sydney.edu.au
Alyssa Matthews, alyssa.matthews@sydney.edu.au
Kate Mills, k.mills@sydney.edu.au
Francisca Samsing Pedrals, francisca.samsingpedrals@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Formative OSBE session
Active IN PERSON participation in the Formative OSBE tutorial session.
0% Formal exam period
Due date: 14 Jun 2024 at 23:59
3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Short release assignment hurdle task OSBE quiz
MCQ quiz
0% Formal exam period
Due date: 03 Jun 2024 at 09:00
Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Participation hurdle task Active participation in all RLAs throughout semester
100% participation with Required Learning Activities (RLAs)
0% Ongoing Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Individual class assessments
Variable
0% Ongoing Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Note: In alignment with the DVM Attendance Provisions 2018 at the University of Sydney students are required to complete all Required Learning Activities (RLA’s) and assessment tasks. 

Assessment criteria

Successful completion of this unit of study requires students to:
•    Actively participate in all compulsory classes;
•    Achieve at least a pass grade in all compulsory assessment tasks
•    All assessments are pass/fail and must be completed
•    Required learning activities are compulsory classes

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with the University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 23:59 on the due date: 1) Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. 2) 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Arthursleigh 2 (Cattle handling 3 and Sheep handling 3) Practical (5 hr) LO1
Fish Handling 2 Practical (2 hr) LO1
Horse handling 4 & equine physical examination 1 Practical (8 hr) LO1 LO2
Laboratory 2 (Haematology) Practical (2 hr) LO2
Laboratory 3 (Cytology) Practical (2 hr) LO2
Pathology (Necropsy) 1 Practical (7 hr) LO2
Pathology (Necropsy) 2 Practical (7 hr) LO2
Pig handling 3 Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Small animal physical examination 2 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Surgery 4 Practical (2 hr) LO2
Surgery 5 Practical (3 hr) LO2
Surgery 6 (Partial group only) Practical (4 hr) LO2 LO3
Therapeutics 3 Practical (2 hr) LO2
Clinical Skills Training 1 Clinical practice (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Veterinary Teaching Hospital - Camden 3 Clinical practice (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Veterinary Teaching Hospital - Camden 4 Clinical practice (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Veterinary Teaching Hospital - Sydney 3 Clinical practice (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Veterinary Teaching Hospital - Sydney 4 Clinical practice (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

All classes in this UoS are RLA.

The School of Veterinary Science will monitor attendance to ensure students meet the attendance requirements outlined in the DVM Attendance Provisions.

Students must notify the unit of study coordinator as soon as possible if they will be absent from a compulsory class and submit a special consideration application. 

Students with an approved special consideration application for a missed compulsory class must attend a compulsory make-up session within the semester or at a date specified by the school.
 

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

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. confidently and competently perform basic animal handling skills to species commonly presented to veterinary practice
  • LO2. confidently and competently perform basic clinical, laboratory and necropsy skills
  • LO3. contribute as a member of the inter-disciplinary team workplace of a veterinary hospital

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - AVBC
2. Handle, restrain and otherwise manage animal(s) safely and humanely, considering animal behaviour and welfare, and instruct others in helping the veterinarian perform these techniques.
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - OIE
2.8. Animal welfare
LO2
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - AVBC
11. Perform routine procedures, including surgeries, identifying associated indications and contraindications and adjusting the procedures as indicated.
15. Perform a systematic, gross postmortem examination, with attention to personal and staff safety, and report findings.
3. Perform a complete clinical examination relevant to presentation and context.
LO3
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - AVBC
27. Demonstrate inclusivity and cultural competence and act to respect and promote diversity in all elements of practice.
34. Recognise limitations of knowledge, skills and resources, consult with colleagues as needed, and identify situations in which referral is warranted.
36. Practise time management, including recognising the impact of time management on stakeholders and self.

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Site visit guidelines

Please see the class Canvas page for information on site visit requirements.

Work, health and safety

Q-fever vaccination and completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

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.