About this course: This course is for anyone interested in learning more about Veterinary Medicine, giving a “taster” of courses covered in the first year of a veterinary degree and an idea of what it is like to study Veterinary Medicine.
Created by: The University of Edinburgh
Taught by: Dr Jessie Paterson, BSc (Hons) Agricultural Chemistry, PhD, PgDip
Lecturer in Student Learning
Taught by: Kay Aitchison, BSc Agriculture (Hons Animal Production Science)
Lecturer in Farm Animal Husbandry
Taught by: Prof Susan Rhind, BVMS, PhD, FRCPath, PFHEA, MRCVS
Professor of Veterinary Medical Education
Taught by: Dr Gurå Therese Bergkvist, BSc Hons (Vet Sci), BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS
Lecturer, Preclinical Veterinary Sciences
Taught by: Rachel Whittington, BVSC MRCVS
Lecturer in Professional Skills
Taught by: Dr Catriona Bell, BVetMed, PhD, PGCAP, MRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Education
Taught by: Dr Andrew Gardiner, BVM&S, Cert SAS, MSc, PhD, MRCVS
Veterinary Clinical Senior Lecturer
| Commitment | 15-20 hours |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Course Information
Please read through the components of this section before starting on the actual course content. Enjoy the course!
2 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Course Introduction
- Reading: Course Participation Statement
- Reading: Course Summary and Outcomes
- Reading: Course Team
- Reading: Course Assessment
- Video: Welcome
Basic Animal Care
In this week, led by Kay Aitchison, we will be looking at animal care. We recommend that you start with the overview reading under the week 1 overview and then work through the core materials. We hope you enjoy the week.
9 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: Dogs
- Video: Cats
- Video: Rabbits
- Video: Lizards
- Video: Snakes
- Video: Cows
- Reading: Dairy Notes
- Video: Sheep
- Reading: Sheep Notes
- Video: Horses
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Reading: Revision quizzes
Graded: Assessed Quiz Basic Animal Care
WEEK 2
An Introduction to Body Systems Anatomy
In this week, we will look at the anatomy of the body, and the teaching team to guide you through this part of the course are Professor Susan Rhind and Dr Gurå Therese Bergkvist. We recommend that you start with the overview reading under the week 2 overview. For this week we have split the core materials into four sections that we suggest you work through in the order presented.
17 videos, 4 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: The Anatomical Regions and Body Cavities
- Video: The Anatomical Directional Terms
- Video: The Body Planes
- Video: The Dog Skeleton
- Video: Live Dog Anatomy
- Reading: Additional Material
- Video: An Introduction to Histology
- Video: Histology in Action – the Skin
- Video: Histology Revision Resource
- Video: The Anatomy of the Heart LHS
- Video: The Anatomy of the Heart RHS
- Video: The Anatomy of the Lungs
- Video: The Circulation and Internal Structures of the Heart
- Video: Gross Heart Anatomy
- Video: Topographical Heart Anatomy
- Reading: Additional Material
- Video: Comparative Heart Anatomy
- Video: Examples of Heart Valve Pathology
- Reading: Revision quizzes
Graded: Assessed Quiz An Introduction to Body Systems Anatomy
WEEK 3
Veterinary Professional Skills
In this week, we will be looking at Veterinary Professional Skills, and the teaching team to guide you through this part of the course are Rachel Whittington and Dr Jessie Paterson. We are also joined in one of the videos by our colleague Stacy Spielman. We hope you are enjoying the course so far and once again we suggest you start with the week 3 overview and then working through the core materials section.
9 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: Business structure
- Video: Emotional intelligence
- Video: Introduction to the Vet Consult
- Reading: Calgary-Cambridge Model
- Video: Consult Part 1
- Video: Consult Part 2
- Video: Consult Part 3
- Video: Key Skills for a Successful Consult
- Video: Client Care
- Reading: Additional Resources
Graded: Assessed Quiz Veterinary Professional Skills
WEEK 4
An Introduction to Clinical Skills
In this week, we will be introducing you to Veterinary Clinical Skills, led by Catriona Bell and assisted by Caroline Mosley. We are also joined in one of the videos by our colleague Neil Hudson. Again please start with the week 4 overview and then work through the core materials as presented.
5 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: Signalment
- Video: Observation Skills
- Video: Vital Signs
- Video: General Examination Skills
- Reading: Additional Resources
Graded: Assessed Quiz An Introduction to Clinical Skills
WEEK 5
The Past, Present and Future of Veterinary Medicine
Our final week is led by Andrew Gardiner and he is joined by a number of colleagues including some from our Library here at Edinburgh. This week we turn our attention to the topic of Veterinary History and again we recommend you start with the week 5 overview before working through the core materials. Enjoy our final week.
5 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Overview
- Video: Looking at Historical Instruments and Documents
- Video: William Dick and Veterinary Medicine in Edinburgh
- Video: Animal Plagues and Advancing Medicine
- Video: Teaching & Learning Veterinary Medicine
- Reading: Additional Resources
Graded: Assessed Quiz The Past, Present and Future of Veterinary Medicine
FAQs
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Ratings and Reviews
I really enjoyed this course. It not only gave me valuable insights into what I might expect from a formal course in Veterinary science but it also gave me the confidence that I would be able to do it. I highly recommend this course for any prospective vet students out there!
a great comprehensive introduction into profession as Vet. A well organized and qualified team for an online MOOC like this. Thank you all!
This is a very informative course and I have learnt a great deal. It has cemented my hopes to become a Vet. The tutors were very clear and I would like to thank every one of them for their time. Even though I sway towards dogs and horses more, my favourite lecture was the one on Cats in week one, because I think the tutor was incredibly interesting - they all were of course! Thank you SO much 💋
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AW
An insightful way of preparing students interested in Veterinary Medicine at University. I feel that its increased my knowledge of the basics and is really well explained.