THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies : Veterinary Sciences

Postgraduate Course: Feline Medicine 1 (VESC11103)

Course Outline
SchoolRoyal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course will cover four areas of Feline Medicine (Hyperthyroidism and Diabetes, Mycobacterial Infections (including Tuberculosis), Geriatric Behavioural Problems (including Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and Osteoarthritis) with a bias towards diseases of ageing, giving up-to-date understanding of the causes, diagnostics, and practical treatment options. Additionally, we will start the course by considering how to develop a Cat Friendly Clinic, the behavioural aspects of cats and how these impact on disease and how disease impacts on behaviour; What Makes a Cat a Cat?
Course description This course will cover four areas of Feline Medicine (Hyperthyroidism and Diabetes, Mycobacterial Infections (including Tuberculosis), Geriatric Behavioural Problems (including Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and Osteoarthritis) with a bias towards diseases of ageing, giving up-to-date understanding of the causes, diagnostics, and practical treatment options. Additionally, we will start the course by considering how to develop a Cat Friendly Clinic, the behavioural aspects of cats and how these impact on disease and how disease impacts on behaviour; What Makes a Cat a Cat?d how disease impacts on behaviour; What Makes a Cat a Cat?

This five-week course is fully taught online through a mixture of recorded presentations, formative activities and asynchronous discussion. Live non-compulsory sessions may be scheduled depending on student group availability and time zones.

As a guide, each week students will spend approximately seven hours working through online materials including essential reading and up to three hours of online discussion and activity. A further ten hours may be spent on additional self-study and work on the assignment. As it is very difficult to measure time spent in any intellectual undertaking, the timings are only intended for guidance.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Flexible
Course Start Date 09/08/2021
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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) This course may be assessed by a mixture of the following

Case reports of 2000-2500 words focusing on practice experience
Essay of 2000-2500 words outlining how they would approach a case in practice
Critical review of learning and literature
Open book MCQs on key topics within the course

Choice:
EITHER: learning diary comprising a minimum of five posts (250 words each) critically reflecting on the student¿s learning development through the course.
OR: case log providing broad overview of 25 cases seen in this area in the last year. A case log template will be provided
Feedback All assignments will be marked and feedback provided within a period of 15 working days following submission (excluding holidays periods whereby the University of closed, e.g. over the Christmas period).

Opportunities for informal feedback arise within the course discussion boards and live sessions as well as through email discussions. Formal feedback and feedforward will be provided on coursework assignments and on formative activities.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the diagnostic processes necessary prior to embarking on a treatment of geriatric behavioural problems
  2. Develop and demonstrate a variety of skills that can be used in treating infectious diseases in the cat
  3. Critically evaluate the literature relevant to the topics covered and discuss how the literature can be used to inform practice
  4. Utilise their understanding of Evidence Based Medicine and Decision Analysis to develop practical diagnostic and treatment protocols for their patients.
  5. Demonstrate their ability to communicate with owners in such a way as to achieve optimum results in their practice circumstances in relation to feline medicine cases
Reading List
The course reading list will be provided via the University¿s Resource List service and a link will be provided on the Learn course. A maximum of three essential reading items will be given each week with further reading as required. Additional resources will be provided, making full use of university electronic library, Learn, Media Hopper and other online resources. Other support material will be available through external open-access websites.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Knowledge and skills will include:

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

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 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 manage risk while initiating and managing change
- 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
Keywordsveterinary,clinical practice,feline medicine
Contacts
Course organiserProf Danielle Gunn-Moore
Tel: (0131 6)50 6182
Email: Danielle.Gunn-Moore@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Linda Pollock
Tel: (0131) 650 6149
Email: Linda.Pollock@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information