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VET30580

Academic Year 2025/2026

Professional and Practical Skills (VET30580)

Subject:
Veterinary Medicine
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Veterinary Medicine
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Susan Rackard
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will introduce students to the professional attributes required to contribute as a productive member of the veterinary profession. Issues impacting professional life will be introduced in lectures and explored through facilitated discussions and workshops which will require student interaction.Topics covered will include professional standards, fitness to practice, professional regulatory frameworks, communication, evidence based veterinary medicine, responsible use of social media, team-working, problem solving and understanding personality styles.

This module will also have a practical focus on developing competence in safely handling food, equine and companion animals. It will consist of a series of introductory lectures and a series of practical classes.

***Please check and be aware if this module is a prerequisite (Academic Regulation 3.27(a)) for any future modules.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:·
- Demonstrate basic competency in the handling and management of the major farm and companion animal species.
- Describe the key elements of the main food production systems (milk, beef, lamb, pig) at farm level.
- Explore and critically discuss the role of the veterinary profession in society.
- Describe and discuss the key concepts and attitudes underpinning professional standards and professional behaviour.
- Have explored and begun to develop the necessary communication, team-building and leadership skills to enable them to be successful in clinical veterinary education and beyond.
- Critically evaluate the use and role of social media in professional life.
- Understand the concepts underpinning evidence based veterinary medicine.

Indicative Module Content:

Professionalism
Communication
Evidence Based Veterinary Medicine
Personal Development
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
Professional Standards and Fitness to Practise
Teamwork, Collaboration and Leadership
Responsible use of social media
Animal Handling
Understanding Food Production Systems

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

17
Conversation Class

14
Practical

13
Specified Learning Activities

16
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, in-class discussions, reflective learning activities and group work. Students are required to engage in all learning activities and to reflect on their learning and how this will impact their future development. These reflections will be included in their ePortfolio.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Pre-CEMS Health & Safety Assessment. This is an MCQ assessment. Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
50
 Yes
Portfolio: Students must complete an e -portfolio which reflects on activities and tasks undertaken during the professional skills component of this module. Week 11 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
50
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Ms Kate Acton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Edel Caraway Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Mark Cumisky Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Eileen Diskin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Vivian Gath Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Maurice Knightly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Avril McGinn Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Emma O'Neill Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Nicola Fortune Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn External & School Exams Offering 1 Week(s) - 12 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 5 Fri 11:00 - 13:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 9, 10, 11, 12 Fri 13:00 - 16:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 4 Fri 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 6 Fri 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 4 Fri 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 10 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 8 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 11 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5, 6 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 6 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 5 Wed 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 10 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
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