THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2023/2024

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies : Veterinary Sciences

Postgraduate Course: Standard Diagnostic Tests in Production Animal Practice (VESC11132)

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 AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryStandard Diagnostic Tests builds an understanding of the core diagnostic tests which underpin clinical practice. The course will review diagnostic imaging technologies and their application, haematology and biochemistry, biomarker analysis and dynamic assays, post-mortem examination, parasitology, serology and disease diagnostics.
Course description Standard Diagnostic Tests builds an understanding of the core diagnostic tests which underpin clinical farm animal practice. The course will review diagnostic imaging technologies and their application, haematology and biochemistry, biomarker analysis and dynamic assays, post-mortem examination, parasitology, serology and disease diagnostics.

The opportunity will be provided to tailor assessments to the student¿s chosen clinical practice track. At the end of the course, students should feel confident in selecting the correct diagnostic test in their clinical practice.

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
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2023/24, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Flexible
Course Start Date 05/08/2023
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) Assessment may include the following:«br /»
Case presentation «br /»
Essay of 1500 words critically evaluating chosen diagnostic options «br /»
Open book MCQs «br /»
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. Apply pathophysiological knowledge, epidemiological principles and evidence-based approaches (including selection of appropriate diagnostic procedures) to the evaluation and management of individual clinical cases and population problems in a chosen area of production animal veterinary practice.
  2. Describe use of diagnostic imaging in their practice premises and (where applicable) in the field, including quality control procedures in place that allow for the safe production of diagnostic images
  3. Understand the uses of a range of diagnostic testing methods and procedures
  4. Evaluate the available diagnostic options
  5. Apply the correct technology or procedure for a given condition
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,diagnostic procedures,diagnostic testing
Contacts
Course organiserDr Alastair MacRae
Tel: (0131 6)50 6408
Email: A.I.Macrae@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Linda Pollock
Tel: (0131) 650 6149
Email: Linda.Pollock@ed.ac.uk
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