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VNUR20330

Academic Year 2025/2026

Veterinary Applied Pharmacology (VNUR20330)

Subject:
Veterinary Nursing
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Veterinary Medicine
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Deirdre Campion
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module focuses on the application of pharmacology in veterinary therapy, with particular emphasis on drugs used in veterinary practice in dogs, cats, cattle, sheep and horses. The module also outlines the regulations determining how animal therapies may be legally stored, prescribed, sold or dispensed, and administered to animals in the Republic of Ireland., and deals with the responsibilities of the "Responsible Person", a role defined in Irish legislation.

Although the module is geared towards Stage 2 veterinary nursing students, this module offers a limited number of elective places, and may also be of interest to BAgSci or BSc students (2nd year and above) with a strong grounding in Biology. Note that demand for elective places may exceed supply.

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

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module the student should be able to:
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics be able to apply this knowledge to clinical situations
Demonstrate an understanding of Irish and European legislation affecting dispensing, sale and use of animal remedies,
Apply the principles of safe practice in working with pharmacological hazards,
Identify the correct application of specific therapeutics for the treatment of infection and inflammation, and for the treatment of conditions of the different body systems while recognising the importance of antimicrobial stewardship
Recognise how medication errors may arise in veterinary practice; calculate dosages
Read and cite appropriate sources to explain how to correctly advise animal owners on treatments in veterinary species.

Indicative Module Content:

This module commences with an overview of drug interactions on cells and in the body. This module also deals with aspects of drug dispensing including the legislation relating to animal remedies in EU and Irish legislation. The module then deals in overview with the therapeutic drugs used in veterinary medicine, presented by the therapeutic group and body system. This course is not expected to provide a full overview of the therapies used in veterinary practice, however.
Agents used in anaesthesia are covered in a different module in the veterinary nursing programme.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Tutorial

2
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

124

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is expected to be taught through face-to-face teaching. Supporting material will be available in Brightspace. The student will also be expected to work independently to complete online assignments.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students taking this module should have taken previous courses which provide a grounding in the normal structure and function of the mammalian body.
This module may be suitable as an elective for Science or Agricultural Science students who, at a minimum, have completed their first year. Note that the module is geared primarily towards veterinary nursing students who may have an advantage due to specific clinical and/or animal experience and due to other modules being taught concurrently.
This module is not suitable for Veterinary Medicine students as it duplicates some learning in that course. The material in this module is covered in far more depth in Veterinary Medicine.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
VET20040 - Biological Fluids


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Two "open book" assignments are presented as Brightspace "quizzes". Each assignment is available for two weeks and can be submitted at any time before the final submission deadline. Week 5, Week 6, Week 9, Week 10 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): Multiple Choice Questionnaire: End of trimester MCQ End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
65
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Online formative assessments. The grade will be based on engagement, and not on the "grade" obtained. These open on specific weeks and remain available for unlimited practice until the final exam. Week 2, Week 5, Week 7, Week 9, Week 11 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
5
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be available to the student on in-term assignments within 15 working days of the submission date.

Applied Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians, 5th Edition. Authors: Boyce Wanamaker Kathy Massey.
Available as an e-book in the UCD library via Onesearch.

Name Role
Ms Niamh O'Donoghue Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 14:00 - 14:50
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