Veterinary Medicine  (VTS1)

This programme will deliver excellence in veterinary education by the advancement and communication of knowledge, research and scholarship, and by the provision of the highest quality care for animals. It is aligned with the academic, societal, global and national needs of both veterinary professionals and veterinary scientists. We value and promote a culture of learning for our students which focuses on wellbeing and community. We encourage our students to become autonomous, lifelong learners so that they can develop their knowledge and skills throughout their professional careers. We continuously endeavour to discover innovative ways to improve the quality of our research, education and patient care, underpinned by an evidence-based approach to veterinary medicine. We aim to provide a stimulating, integrated learning environment that will allow students develop Day One Competences and become ethical 21st century veterinary practitioners meeting the highest standards of professional practice guided by our national and international accreditation bodies. Our programme incorporates a range of teaching approaches in addition to didactic teaching such as: blended learning, work-based learning, group work, online learning and hands-on practicals. 

1 - Exhibit veterinary professionalism in a range of contexts through effective, compassionate and courteous communication with clients, professional colleagues, and responsible authorities
2 - Work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to provide optimal veterinary care
3 - Act in a professional manner with regard to the veterinary practitioner s professional and legal responsibilities for animal health, welfare and public health, and apply the ethical codes of the appropriate regulatory bodies in the context of ever-changing societal expectations
4 - Review and critically analyse the literature relevant to veterinary medicine to improve clinical practice and decision making in an evidence based approach
5 - Recognise limitations in knowledge and clinical skills and demonstrate awareness of when and from where to seek professional advice, assistance and support
6 - Demonstrate lifelong learning skills to enhance areas of professional competence
7 - Identify the fundamental principles underpinning modern management and organisation of a veterinary practice, including regulatory law relating to employment, health and safety, staff and public liability
8 - Demonstrate comprehensive problem solving skills in a range of veterinary contexts
9 - Access the appropriate sources of data on licensed medicines, prescribe and dispense medicines correctly and responsibly in accordance with relevant legislation, and ensure that medicines and waste are safely stored and/or disposed of
10 - Appropriately collect, preserve and transport diagnostic/research samples
11 - Carry out Veterinary Certification correctly
12 - Carry out appropriate clinical reasoning with prioritisation of clinical problems, selection of the appropriate diagnostic tests and initiation of the appropriate treatment plan or offering referral of the patient where appropriate
13 - Follow correct procedures after diagnosing notifiable, reportable and zoonotic diseases
14 - Handle and restrain all common domestic species safely and humanely, and instruct others in performing these techniques
15 - Minimise the risks of contamination, cross infection and accumulation of pathogens in veterinary premises and in the field
16 - Obtain an accurate and relevant history about an individual animal or animal group, and its/their environment
17 - Perform a complete clinical examination on all common domestic species
18 - Perform and document a basic gross post-mortem examination
19 - Perform ante and post mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain and correctly identify conditions affecting the quality and safety of products of animal origin
20 - Perform basic first aid on all common domestic animal species in an emergency situation and understand the principles of intensive care case management
21 - Perform basic surgical procedures with the adherence to the principles of aseptic technique
22 - Prepare clear case reports and maintain patient health and welfare records in a form satisfactory to colleagues
23 - Recognise when euthanasia is necessary and perform it humanely using an appropriate method
24 - Safely perform sedation, general and regional anaesthesia, implement chemical methods of restraint, and assess and control pain
25 - Understand the principles of herd- health management having regard to animal health, animal welfare and public health standards, seeking advice and assistance where necessary
26 - Use radiographic and ultrasonic equipment which can be used as a diagnostic aid, safely and in accordance with current regulations
27 - Demonstrate an understanding of the central biological principles and mechanisms that underlie animal health and disease from the molecular and cellular level.
28 - Demonstrate an understanding of normal function, homeostasis, nutrition, pathophysiology, mechanisms of health and disease of important domestic and foreign animal diseases.
29 - Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of disease prevention and biosecurity.
30 - Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of nutrition, therapeutic intervention, surgery, medicine, anaesthesia, diagnostic methods and interpretation (including diagnostic imaging, diagnostic pathology and necropsy).
31 - Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of patient management and care including intensive care, emergency medicine and isolation procedures for clinical diseases of individual animals and populations.
32 - Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of welfare, ethics, epidemiology, zoonoses, food safety, the relationship between animals and the environment and the role of the profession in public health and professional healthcare teams.

This programme is designed to educate you to the best international standards in veterinary medicine and to prepare you for careers in professional work, research and public service.

To work as a vet in the Republic of Ireland, you must have a degree in Veterinary Medicine that is registered by the Veterinary Council of Ireland. UCD's Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (MVB) is the only such degree available in Ireland. The programme is concerned with the promotion of the health and welfare of animals of special importance to society. This involves the care of healthy and sick animals, the prevention, recognition, control and treatment of their diseases and the welfare and productivity of livestock.

There is an emphasis throughout the programme on problem-based learning, moving away from the exclusive lecture-based approach and dealing with simulated and real-life problems.

Clinical rotations take place primarily in the University Veterinary Hospital in Belfield, which receives a wide range of pet species, farm animals and horses. The caseload provides important opportunities for our students to complete their clinical training requirements.

At the start you will be given a thorough grounding in normal animal structure and function, animal handling, welfare, nutrition, breeding and management. In later stages, you will develop knowledge and skills in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of diseases in domestic animals and birds.

Stage 5 of the programme reflects UCD's new veterinary curriculum. This stage focuses on hands-on work and real clinical cases. It consists of rotations in:

- Large and Small Animal Surgeries
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Anaesthesiology
- Small and Large Animal Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Reproduction
- Herd Health
- Population Medicine
- Diagnostic Pathology
- Clinical Pathology

You will undertake professional practical work between academic years and during other vacation periods. In the early stages of your programme you will take an appropriate programme of farm animal and companion animal experience, up to a maximum of 10 weeks. During Stages 3, 4 and 5 of the programme you are required to complete a minimum period of 24 weeks of extramural studies.

Many students choose to obtain part of their extramural experience abroad, in veterinary hospitals or other veterinary schools. The high standing and international recognition of Veterinary Medicine at UCD ensures that they are readily accepted for such placements.

During your four-week elective period of Stage 5, you may engage in elective projects at veterinary or research laboratories in other institutions in the USA. You can also become involved in wildlife conservation projects around the world.

You can work in mixed, small animal, farm animal or equine practice. You may also obtain further specialist clinical qualifications. Beyond clinical practice, veterinarians play an important role in the protection of public health, in research into diseases of animals and man, and in other areas such as conservation and wildlife protection. While most graduates work in clinical practice, increasing numbers pursue research in public service or private sector research. This reflects the important role of the veterinarian in animal health control and consumer protection. At present there is almost complete employment for veterinary graduates.

UCD Veterinary Medicine School/Programme Office,
Room 202, Veterinary Science Centre,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 6101
Email:vetprogrammes@ucd.ie
Web:www.ucd.ie/vetmed

Stage 1

Students must take a minimum of 50 credits of modules from within the Veterinary Medicine Programme.

Elective modules may also be selected from within the School of Veterinary of Medicine or may be chosen from outside the School.

In addition, students will be interviewed regarding their knowledge and experience with farm and companion animals, and may be assigned up to 12 weeks of fieldwork. The successful completion of this experience will be credited (see Stage 2) and is essential for progression into Stage 3.

Stage 2

Students must take a minimum of 75 credits of modules from within the Veterinary Medicine Programme.



Elective module may also be selected from within the School of Veterinary of Medicine or may be chosen from outside the School.



Regarding "Farm and companion animal experience" credits: Students must complete up to 12 weeks farm and companion animal experience, during holiday breaks, in order to obtain basic competencies. The student must complete these requirements to the satisfaction of their supervisor before the student may progress to Stage 3.



There will also be a competency examination at the end of Stage 2. This Extra Mural Studies component has credit allocation of 20 credits, but is GPA neutral.

Stage 3

Students will take on 60 credits in Stage 3.

Pathobiological Sciences

Medicine & Surgery

Therapeutics

Vet Clinical Haemolymphatics

Veterinary Clinical Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems

Professionalism

Stage 4

Students will take on 60 credits in Stage 4.

Herd Health & Population Medicine

Veterinary Public Health

Clinical Reproduction & Urology

Musculoskeletal & Neurology

Veterinary Anaesthesia

Veterinary Clinical Endocrine, Metabolic and Dermatology

Senses, Exotics & Critical Care

Clinical Skills

Professionalism

Stage 5

While all core rotations will run throughout the standard academic year, clinical rotations in University Veterinary Hospital will commence early summer.
During the third, fourth and fifth years of the five year MVB degree, students are required to complete a minimum period of 24 weeks of practical extra-mural experience. The clinical experience must be completed prior to graduation. This extra mural studies component has a credit value of 40 credits and is GPA neutral.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

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Module Weighting Info
 

Note: Applicants must normally have at least 60 hours practical experience relevant to animal handling. This must include experience with at least two of the following four animal categories: Pets, Horses, Farm Animals, Wildlife/Zoos.