Postgraduate Course: Diseases of laboratory animals (C-LAS.4) (VESC11069)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The objective of this course is to promote a scientific, evidence based approach to laboratory animal science, and to help students develop both practical and theoretical skills in the field. The student is expected to build on the foundation skills developed when undertaking the A and B courses, and to demonstrate progression towards advanced practitioner skills. The student will be able to evaluate their own standards of practice and develop strategies for continuous improvement in the future. |
| Course description |
This assessment-only course forms part of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. Students working towards the designated Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Laboratory Animal Science) will need to complete the following modules: A-FAVP.1 Foundations in Advanced Veterinary Practice, B-LAS.4, this module, two other C modules (from LAS-designated modules) plus one other B or C module. Upon completion of all the necessary modules, a further synoptic assessment will also be required.
This course focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and control of common diseases affecting laboratory animals and the implications for scientific studies. Students will be familiar with methods for disease prevention and health surveillance, and have an understanding of infectious and non-infectious diseases/disease agents incl. zoonotic diseases. Species will primarily include rodents and rabbits, but also non-human primates, fish and birds (in a laboratory/research setting) and larger species where specific research-orientated issues arise.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
08/08/2022 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
98 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Three items of evidence for assessment ¿ a learning diary (30%) and *either* one case report (30%) plus a critical review (30%), *or* two case reports (30% each)
1. Learning diary
The learning diary should be of three months¿ duration (not necessarily consecutive). This will document the student¿s experiences with diseases of laboratory animals during this period, including diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases handled by the student, and also those encountered by the student through reading or discussion with others (e.g. diseases encountered through review of health reports on animals from external sources; novel diseases reported in the literature). A list of bibliography or other leaning resources used to contribute to the learning diary should be included.
Cases selected should demonstrate that the student has dealt competently with a range of commonly presented conditions or situations from the area of practice in which they are working. Students must clearly demonstrate which cases they managed directly.
2. Choose either one case report plus a critical review, or two case reports
The case reports should be a maximum of 2000 words each formatted along the lines of a published case report, e.g.:
¿ Introduction: background information, set stage for problem
¿ Case history, clinical presentation
¿ Diagnostic evaluation
¿ Outcome and response (e.g. methods of control if infection)
¿ Discussion: analysis of case; alternative strategies that could have been adopted, comparison to similar cases in literature
If the student chooses to submit two case reports, these should involve two different species.
All cases included as case reports are to have been managed by the student. Cases should be recent, with ¿recent¿ indicating cases seen preferably within the period of registration on the course. Where this is not possible, i.e. due to late registration, cases seen within the last 2 years will be acceptable.
The critical review should be of one publication in a refereed scientific publication relevant to the module content (maximum 2000 words). This should *not* be a review paper.
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| Feedback |
Students will have the option to submit drafts of one case study for formative written feedback to aid in preparation for submission.
Full written feedback will be provided with results, and students are encouraged to contact the programme team to discuss if they have any queries. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of the common diseases affecting laboratory animals and the implications for scientific studies
- Consider all factors in approaching an investigation leading to a diagnosis, treatment and or control, and evaluate and implement methods of treatment, control and eradication
- Consider and apply the principles of disease surveillance and health monitoring, and understand and implement the principles of biosecurity, containment, control and prevention of disease
- Understand diagnostic methods and appreciate their limitations, and perform simple diagnostic tests
- Recognise and evaluate the risk of zoonosis
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Reading List
| http://resourcelists.ed.ac.uk/levels/certavp.html |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
A. Research and Enquiry
Graduates of the University will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through the process of research and enquiry. This may be understood in terms of the following:
¿ be able to identify, define and analyse problems and identify or create processes to solve them
¿ be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding
¿ be ready to ask key questions and exercise rational enquiry
¿ be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge
¿ search for, evaluate and use information to develop their knowledge and understanding
¿ have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these
¿ understand economic, legal, ethical, social, cultural and environmental issues in the use of information
¿ recognise the importance of reflecting on their learning experiences and be aware of their own learning style
B. Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
Graduates of the University will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges. This may be understood in terms of the following:
¿ be able to identify processes and strategies for learning
¿ be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement
¿ be able to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought, taking into account ethical and professional issues
¿ be able to use collaboration and debate effectively to test, modify and strengthen their own views
¿ be intellectually curious and able to sustain intellectual interest
¿ be able to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts
C. Communication
Graduates of the University will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning. This may be understood in terms of the following:
¿ make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
¿ use communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others
¿ further their own learning through effective use of the full range of communication approaches
¿ seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness
¿ recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
¿ use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection
D. Personal Effectiveness
Graduates of the University will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and environments in which they operate. This may be understood in terms of the following:
¿ appreciate and use talents constructively, demonstrating self-discipline, motivation, adaptability, persistence and professionalism
¿ be able to create and harness opportunities
¿ be able to manage risk while initiating and managing change
¿ be responsive to their changing surroundings, being both flexible and proactive
¿ have the confidence to make decisions based on their understandings and their personal and intellectual autonomy
¿ be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another
¿ understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues
¿ be able to work effectively with others, capitalising on their different thinking, experience and skills
¿ work with, manage, and lead others in ways that value their diversity and equality and that encourage their contribution to the organisation and the wider community
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| Keywords | laboratory animal science,laboratory,rcvs,certavp,disease,zoonosis |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Sharon Boyd
Tel: (0131 6)51 7449
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Linda Pollock
Tel: (0131) 650 6149
Email: |
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