About this course: This course is for anyone interested in learning more about Veterinary Medicine, giving a “taster” of courses covered in the first year of a veterinary degree and an idea of what it is like to study Veterinary Medicine.
Created by: The University of Edinburgh
Taught by: Dr Jessie Paterson, BSc (Hons) Agricultural Chemistry, PhD, PgDip
Lecturer in Student Learning
Taught by: Kay Aitchison, BSc Agriculture (Hons Animal Production Science)
Lecturer in Farm Animal Husbandry
Taught by: Prof Susan Rhind, BVMS, PhD, FRCPath, PFHEA, MRCVS
Professor of Veterinary Medical Education
Taught by: Dr Gurå Therese Bergkvist, BSc Hons (Vet Sci), BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS
Lecturer, Preclinical Veterinary Sciences
Taught by: Rachel Whittington, BVSC MRCVS
Lecturer in Professional Skills
Taught by: Dr Catriona Bell, BVetMed, PhD, PGCAP, MRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Education
Taught by: Dr Andrew Gardiner, BVM&S, Cert SAS, MSc, PhD, MRCVS
Veterinary Clinical Senior Lecturer
| Commitment | 15-20 hours |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Course Information
Please read through the components of this section before starting on the actual course content. Enjoy the course!
1 video, 5 readings
- Reading: Course Introduction
- Reading: Course Participation Statement
- Reading: Course Summary and Outcomes
- Reading: Course Team
- Reading: Course Assessment
- Video: Welfare Message
Basic Animal Care
In this week, led by Kay Aitchison, we will be looking at animal care. We recommend that you start with the overview reading under the week 1 overview and then work through the core materials. We hope you enjoy the week.
9 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: Week 1 Introduction
- Video: Dogs
- Video: Cats
- Video: Rabbits
- Video: Lizards
- Video: Snakes
- Video: Cows
- Reading: Dairy Notes
- Video: Sheep
- Reading: Sheep Notes
- Video: Horses
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Reading: Revision quizzes
Graded: Assessed Quiz Basic Animal Care
WEEK 2
An Introduction to Body Systems Anatomy
In this week, we will look at the anatomy of the body, and the teaching team to guide you through this part of the course are Professor Susan Rhind and Dr Gurå Therese Bergkvist. We recommend that you start with the overview reading under the week 2 overview. For this week we have split the core materials into four sections that we suggest you work through in the order presented.
17 videos, 4 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: Introduction to Week 2
- Video: The Anatomical Regions and Body Cavities
- Video: The Anatomical Directional Terms
- Video: The Body Planes
- Video: The Dog Skeleton
- Video: Live Dog Anatomy
- Reading: Additional Material
- Video: An Introduction to Histology
- Video: Histology in Action – the Skin
- Video: Histology Revision Resource
- Video: The Anatomy of the Heart LHS
- Video: The Anatomy of the Heart RHS
- Video: The Anatomy of the Lungs
- Video: The Circulation and Internal Structures of the Heart
- Video: Gross Heart Anatomy
- Video: Topographical Heart Anatomy
- Reading: Additional Material
- Video: Comparative Heart Anatomy
- Video: Examples of Heart Valve Pathology
- Reading: Revision quizzes
Graded: Assessed Quiz An Introduction to Body Systems Anatomy
WEEK 3
Veterinary Professional Skills
In this week, we will be looking at Veterinary Professional Skills, and the teaching team to guide you through this part of the course are Rachel Whittington and Dr Jessie Paterson. We are also joined in one of the videos by our colleague Stacy Spielman. We hope you are enjoying the course so far and once again we suggest you start with the week 3 overview and then working through the core materials section.
9 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: Introduction to Week 3
- Video: Business structure
- Video: Emotional intelligence
- Video: Introduction to the Vet Consult
- Reading: Calgary-Cambridge Model
- Video: Consult Part 1
- Video: Consult Part 2
- Video: Consult Part 3
- Video: Key Skills for a Successful Consult
- Video: Client Care
- Reading: Additional Resources
Graded: Assessed Quiz Veterinary Professional Skills
WEEK 4
An Introduction to Clinical Skills
In this week, we will be introducing you to Veterinary Clinical Skills, led by Catriona Bell and assisted by Caroline Mosley. We are also joined in one of the videos by our colleague Neil Hudson. Again please start with the week 4 overview and then work through the core materials as presented.
5 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: Introduction to Week 4
- Video: Signalment
- Video: Observation Skills
- Video: Vital Signs
- Video: General Examination Skills
- Reading: Additional Resources
Graded: Assessed Quiz An Introduction to Clinical Skills
WEEK 5
The Past, Present and Future of Veterinary Medicine
Our final week is led by Andrew Gardiner and he is joined by a number of colleagues including some from our Library here at Edinburgh. This week we turn our attention to the topic of Veterinary History and again we recommend you start with the week 5 overview before working through the core materials. Enjoy our final week.
5 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: Origins of Veterinary Medicine
- Video: Looking at Historical Instruments and Documents
- Video: William Dick and Veterinary Medicine in Edinburgh
- Video: Animal Plagues and Advancing Medicine
- Video: Teaching & Learning Veterinary Medicine
- Reading: Additional Resources
Graded: Assessed Quiz The Past, Present and Future of Veterinary Medicine
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Ratings and Reviews
I love it
Very interesting insight into the world of Veterinary Medicine. The final week, focusing on veterinary history was particularly engaging since it looked at a completely different side of the subject that I had not previously considered. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in animal care and husbandry, as well as the scientific principles underlying disease.
Most of the course was great. Some of the videos and techniques were a little awkward and you could tell that not everyone was comfortable being filmed. Overall, the course was beneficial, with perhaps the exception of the history section.
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CG
Really informative. Great introduction for me as I plan to apply to veterinary this year.