Bachelor of Veterinary Science

To empower graduates from diverse backgrounds through acquisition of knowledge and development of skills and competence to promote food animal production, maintain domestic and non-domestic animal and community health, participate in gainful economic activity, invest in continued intellectual growth, participate in extension and development and provide a rewarding contribution to society.

The graduate will be a registered, broad-based veterinary professional committed to life-long learning and equipped to enter any branch of clinical practice or other veterinary-related endeavour. They will be sensitive to the environment and the diversities of culture, customs, value systems, means and needs of the population. Through application of knowledge and acquired life-skill competencies, they will be able to manage public - and community health issues, promote veterinary research and provide in the basic and unique veterinary requirements of the total South African community.

Matriculation certificate

Other

Senior Certificate (Grade 12) with matriculation exemption and a completed first year B Sc, B Sc (Agric) or equivalent degree programme with courses on the 100- level in Chemistry, Physics, Zoology or Biology and any other year course or two semester courses at the 100 - level.

B V Sc

Learning outcomes

One

Accumulation of knowledge and development of insight related to

1. Normal structure and function of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, equids, cats and poultry
2. Behaviour, management, breeding, feeding and housing of above species
3. Subsistence, small and large-scale commercial animal industries1
4. Infectious, parasitic and non-infectious diseases of importance in Southern Africa
5. Diseases of potential economic importance if introduced to South Africa
6. Toxic plants of importance in Southern Africa
7. General and systemic pathology of domestic animals
8. Laboratory animals, wildlife, fish, ostriches and cage birds at an elective level
9. Statute and common law and the veterinary ethical code
10. Epidemiology and risk assessment
11. Scientific method and acquisition of information

Two

Development of skills and competence in

1. Handling of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, equids, dogs, cats and poultry
2. Performing a thorough clinical examination in the above species
3. Establishing appropriate differential diagnoses
4. Selecting and applying procedures to confirm/reject differential diagnoses
5. Selecting and collecting specimens for laboratory tests
6. Performing macroscopic post mortem examinations and taking appropriate specimens for histopathology and other laboratory tests with emphasis on cost-effectiveness
7. Communicating with and relating to clients from a diversity of cultures, customs, means and value systems
8. Using computers and other electronic aids
9. Administration of medication
10. Performing clinical surgical, theriogenological and selected laboratory procedures

Three

Application of insight, knowledge, skills and competencies in integrated problem solving situations by

1. Recognising abnormality and identifying syndromes and underlying causes from amnesis, physical examination, production records and basic laboratory tests where applicable
2. Acquiring and interpreting available information
3. Deriving a well - considered diagnosis
4. Assessing patients relative to the need for therapeutic intervention
5. Develop appropriate treatment regimes
6. Promoting and maintaining animal, human and community health
7. Development of sound health principles for subsistence and small and large - scale commercial animal industries with specific emphasis on production economics, extension services and community upliftment
8. Preventing and/or managing infectious, parasitic and non- infectious diseases through application of sound principles of immunisation parasite control, epidemiology, genetics, housing, nutrition, management and medication.
9. Applying veterinary public health principles in the provision of safe, sound and wholesome food of animal origin and control of zoonoses
10. Investigating disease/toxicity outbreaks
11. Applying appropriate, cost-effective and rational therapy including medical treatment, induction of anaesthesia, selecting appropriate surgical and theriogenological procedures, performing optimal intensive care and after-care
12. Applying principles of business management
13. Interpreting statute and common law and applying the veterinary ethical code with respect to responsibilities to patients, clients, colleagues, public, animals in general, livestock industry, environment and society
14. Interpreting scientific publications and other sources of information and accurately reporting on and drawing valid conclusions from such information as well as own observations
15. Recognising own limitations and consulting with others as required

Four

Acquire and adopt a mature attitude to

1. The need for change and adaptation
2. Lifelong learning
3. Public accountability
4. Social responsibility
5. Diversity of cultures, customs, value systems, means and needs of the population
6. Animal welfare
7. Professional ethics and values

Critical cross-field outcomes

1. Problem - solving skills through integration of knowledge and critical analysis of available information and own observations
2. Effective use of electronic aids, science and technology
3. Effective participation in team/group work
4. Leadership
5. Ability to communicate effectively with due cognisance of the diversities involved
6. Adaptation to change
7. Lifelong learning
8. Responsibility and devotion to duty and a deep sense of integrity
9. Mature personality reflecting tolerance, patience and objectivity
10. Dynamic, innovative yet ethical approach to professional work

One

Demonstrated ability to interpret and integrate knowledge by to meaningful participation in group discussions and satisfactory academic performance

Two

1. Demonstrated ability to handle domestic animals in a manner conducive to the safety and well-being of all parties concerned
2. Demonstrated ability to perform a complete physical examination and record the salient features of the examination
3. Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge, insight and own observations to derive a comprehensive list of motivated differential diagnoses
4. Selecting and performing appropriate procedures to confirm/reject derived differential diagnoses without unnecessary additional costs
5. Proven ability to select appropriate procedures, specimens and tests without unnecessary additional costs
6. Demonstrated ability to perform post mortem examinations and integration of information (tests and observations) to arrive at a correct aetiological diagnosis without unnecessary additional cost
7. Proven ability to understand and communicate with clients from all walks of life with due cognisance of the diversities involved
8. Demonstrated ability to use computers for word processing, data capturing and gathering of information
9. Demonstrated ability to correctly administer medication by relevant routes of administration
10. Demonstrated ability to perform basic clinical, surgical, theriogenological and selected laboratory procedures in a safe, effective and efficient manner.

Three

1 - 10 Proven/demonstrated ability to acquire and integrate knowledge, own observations, information gained from tests and procedures performed in arriving at

• a correct diagnosis
• prevention and/or management of disease
• provision of safe, sound and wholesome food of animal origin-institution of corrective intervention aimed at the individual animal or at herds/flocks of animals based on risk-benefit assessment
• formulation of sound advice for subsistence as well as small and large-scale commercial producers and pet owners

1. Demonstrated ability to integrate knowledge, skills and competencies in performing routine medical, surgical and theriogenological procedures and appropriate cost-effective intervention and treatment resulting in recovery of the patient to the satisfaction of the owner
2. Demonstrated ability to apply the basic principles of business management as it relates to veterinary science
3. Demonstrated understanding of statute and common law and the veterinary ethical code in relation to public accountability, social responsibility and professional conduct
4. Proven ability to interpret scientific publications and derive valid conclusions
5. Proven track-record of recognition of own limitations and ability to consult

Four

Demonstrated mature attitude to change, adaptation, lifelong learning, accountability, professional and societal responsibilities and values. Demonstration of tolerance and leadership capabilities

1. Problem - solving skills through integration of knowledge and critical analysis of available information and own observations
2. Effective use of electronic aids, science and technology
3. Effective participation in team/group work
4. Leadership
5. Ability to communicate effectively with due cognisance of the diversities involved
6. Adaptation to change
7. Lifelong learning
8. Responsibility and devotion to duty and a deep sense of integrity
9. Mature personality reflecting tolerance, patience and objectivity
10. Dynamic, innovative yet ethical approach to professional work

Integrated assessment

Portfolios

Simulations

Work-place assessments

Written examinations

Oral examinations

Other

Practical and clinical assessment

Computer assisted assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment

Appropriate assessments are conducted on a continuous basis