The Royal Veterinary College ’s Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences has an international reputation for its research in a number of areas including reproduction, developmental/regeneration biology, cardiovascular biology and inflammation, musculoskeletal pathobiology and animal genetics. Since one of our strategic objectives is to develop and enhance our research portfolio in these areas of excellence, we are looking to recruit a selfmotivated scientist who is able to establish an independent research programme that is either related to, or compliments, one of our areas of research strength. We are particularly interested in applicants who would help maintain and develop critical mass in our Reproduction,
Genes and Development Research Group. You will also contribute to high quality teaching in a range of undergraduate programmes.
THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE
The Royal Veterinary College is the UK’s largest veterinary school and a constituent College of the University of London. It was founded in 1791 and is thus also the oldest veterinary school in the English speaking world. It has a high level of research activity and was awarded a grade
5 rating in the last research assessment exercise (RAE). A detailed history of the College and details of all facilities can be found by visiting the website: http://www.rvc.ac.uk
COLLEGE LOCATION AND FACILITIES
The Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences is based at the Camden Campus in Camden
Town in North London. The campus is within walking distance of a number of University of
London Colleges (University College London is a 20 minute walk away), and the RVC is an active member of the Bloomsbury group of London Colleges.
Research facilities at Camden are appropriate for a wide range of basic and applied research activities and include; recently refurbished communal laboratories, an imaging facility (with two con-focal microscopes), tissue culture suites, three Real-Time PCR machines, a new FACS machine, a DNA sequencing facility, an animal house suitable for housing rodents (including transgenics), a Zebra fish facility and facilities for keeping drosophila.
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Part of the Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases is also located at the Camden
Campus . The Beaumont Animals' Hospital, a first opinion and referral hospital which is part of the Clinical Services Division, is also located at Camden.
The Hawkshead Campus is on a 230 hectare site in the attractive Hertfordshire countryside near Potters Bar. The two campuses are 15 miles apart and are easily accessible by road and rail.
A number of research groups in the Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences , particularly those relating to animal locomotion (Structure and Motion group), inflammation, musculoskeletal pathobiology and reproduction are also based at the Hawkshead campus.
There are large animal experimental buildings that permit large animal (cattle, sheep and pigs) studies at the Hawkshead Campus.
The diagnostic pathology and some of the experimental pathology groups of the Department of
Pathology and Infectious Diseases are centred at the Hawkshead campus. On this site are the
Mill Reef Pathology Building complex, the molecular pathology laboratories and the experimental microbiology laboratories.
Also on the Hawkshead campus is the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, which encompasses the following sections: small animal, large animal and equine medicine and surgery, population medicine, the reproduction unit and epidemiology and public health. The campus is home to the Sefton Equine Hospital, the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals and the
Large Animal Practice. Phase 3 of Queen Mother Hospital for Animals is due for completion by
Autumn 2008.
The College has recently established an Animal Welfare Unit at Hawkshead and built a controlled environment facility to enable scientists to study the impact of environmental influences on animal welfare.
The College has recently developed a large new facility for Animal Locomotion research led by
Dr Alan Wilson at the Hawkshead Campus.
The College is developing a Centre for Veterinary Infectious and Zoonotic Disease utilising funding from SRIF-3 to foster interdisciplinary research involving microbiologists, epidemiologists and clinicians. This centre will be completed by the Autumn of 2008.
A new Learning Resources Centre, including an improved library facility was opened in 2004 and a clinical skills centre was opened in 2005. The new LIVE! Centre (life-long learning in veterinary education) opened in February 2007.
An adjacent site at Bolton’s Park houses the College’s working farm.
The RVC CPD Unit (formerly the Unit for Veterinary Continuing Education) is also located at the
Hawkshead Campus. It is the UK’s foremost provider of educational services to the international veterinary community. The unit administers continuing education courses and boasts the most extensive library of videos, books, tape-slide sets and computer-based learning programs in Europe.
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From Autumn 2001, the College has had three academic departments involved in teaching, research and clinical work – the Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, the Department of
Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases.
Undergraduate teaching within the College is co-ordinated by the Vice Principal for Teaching, currently the Deputy Principal, Professor Stephen May.
The clinical services of the College (the BAH, QMHA, LAP and Sefton Equine Hospital) comprise the Clinical Services Division currently under the direction of Mr Graham Milligan.
Support services are provided by the College Administration and the Division of Academic
Support & Development.
The Vice Principal for Research , Professor Jonathan Elliott, has responsibility for strategic leadership of the College’s research programmes and works closely with the Heads of
Departments to ensure that the College’s research objectives are implemented and that the research environment is of the highest standard. Professor Elliott also runs the research administration office and the Biological Services Unit.
The College’s academic departments are detailed below:-
Department
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY BASIC SCIENCES comprising Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Molecular
Biology and Pharmacology
Current Head of
Department
Professor N.Stickland
DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS
DISEASES comprising Microbiology and Parasitology,
Pathology and Laboratory Animal Science
Professor D.
McKeever
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY CLINICAL SCIENCES Professor D. Church
The College's strategic research objective is to establish and maintain a level of research activity of international quality in focused areas of practical relevance within the broad disciplines that comprise and underpin veterinary science, and to promote the application of its research by commercialisation wherever possible.
The emphasis of our efforts will be to maintain and improve our acknowledged strengths in research. A laboratory infrastructure of the highest standard will be developed to attract international researchers. Commercialisation of our research will derive from a number of initiatives, including the London Bioscience Innovation Centre.
The RVC was rated 5 at the last RAE.
The RVC has active research grants and contrac ts worth over £40M.
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There are over 100 PhD students registered at the RVC, and in recognition of its high standards of post graduate training, the College has been awarded a BBSRC doctoral training account.
The College was awarded three RCUK Fellowships and has internally funded three further fellowships to ensure that succession planning in all major research areas. Two members of staff have been awarded BBSRC Research Development Fellowships and two Professors in
Veterinary Basic Sciences are recipients of Royal Society Wolfson Merit Awards.
The RVC is in receipt of a Wellcome Trust Value in People Award (awarded to the top 30 institutes funded by the Trust).
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Musculoskeletal biology
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Cardiovascular and Inflammation Biology
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Reproduction, Genes and Development

Infection and Immunity.
These themes are divided into eight groups of 10 to 25 academics and consist of laboratory based scientists, epidemiologists and clinicians. This facilitates collaboration between basic and clinical scientists. In 2006 the College established the first Phase II Clinical Trials Unit in a veterinary school in Europe with industrial sponsorship. This unit will facilitate the translation of the Colleges scientific discoveries into products for veterinary clinical practice if appropriate.
The Department’s Mission is:
Through original research and scholarship, to advance understanding of animal biology from the molecular level to the whole animal and within this environment to train postgraduate students for research degrees; provide undergraduates with the cognitive skills and sufficient understanding of normal animal structure and function for their future progress in undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and their careers as veterinarians, veterinary scientists and veterinary paraprofessionals; and to contribute to the College’s programme of
Continuing Professional Development.
The current research interests of members of staff in the Department of Veterinary Basic
Sciences reflect both the diversity of research and integration of research themes.
With this appointment we wish to specifically develop and diversify our strength in one of our areas of research strength; reproduction, developmental/regeneration biology, cardiovascular biology and inflammation, musculoskeletal pathobiology and animal genetics. We are particularly interested in recruiting someone with a background in developmental/regeneration biology or reproduction and in the latter area are seeking to develop our expertise in the conservation of biodiversity.
Head of Department, Professor of
Veterinary Anatomy
Professor of Genetics
Professor of Biochemistry
Neil C Stickland BSc PhD DSc
Matthew M Binns BSc PhD
Kathleen M Botham BSc PhD DSc
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Professor of Veterinary Molecular
& Cellular Biology Peter D Chantler BSc PhD
Professor of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Jonathan Elliott MA Vet MB PhD Cert SAC
Dip ECVPT MRCVS
Professor of Orthopaedic Sciences Allen Goodship BVetSc PhD MRCVS
Professor of Veterinary Anatomy
Professor of Veterinary Pharmacology
Lance E Lanyon BVSc PhD DSc MRCVS
Peter Lees CBE BPharm PhD Dr hc (Gent)
CBiol FIBiol Hon Assoc RCVS Hon
DipECVPT
Professor of Veterinary Anatomy
Professor of Reproductive Physiology
Professor of Veterinary Physiology
Professor of Veterinary Reproduction
Joanna Price BSc BVSc PhD MRCVS
Eduardo R S Roldan BVetSci PhD
Rex J Scaramuzzi BSc PhD
D Claire Wathes BSc PhD DSc
Alan M Wilson BSc BVMS PhD MRCVS Professor of Locomotor Biomechanics
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Gurtej Dhoot BSc PhD DSc
Andrew A Pitsillides BSc PhD
Caroline P D Wheeler-Jones BSc PhD
Robert Abayasekara BSc PhD
Fiona Cunningham BSc PhD
Rachel A Lawrence BSc PhD DLSHTM
Geoffrey Pollott BSc PhD
Donald Palmer BSc PhD
Stephen Frean BVSc PhD MRCVS
Bradley Cobb BSc PhD
Michaelangelo Campanella PharmD PhD
Monica Daley BSc MA PhD
Robert C Fowkes BSc PhD
Ali Fouladi-Nashta DVM MSc PhD
Nigel T Goode BVSc PhD MRCVS
John Hutchinson BSc PhD
David Kilroy MVB CVMA MRCVS
Charlotte Lawson BSc PhD
Imelda McGonnell BSc PhD
Amanda de Mestre BVSc PhD MRCVS
Abir Mukerjee BSc PhD
Claire Peppiatt-Wildman PhD
Claire Russell BSc PhD
Lisa Thurston BSc PhD
Scott Wildman PhD
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer
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Biology of bone and connective tissue
Professor L E Lanyon Adaptation of bone: The mechanisms by which bone cells adapt their behaviour in relation to their mechanical circumstances to produce and maintain bone architecture which is structurally appropriate for the loads it has to sustain. The mechanisms of the interaction between responses of mechanical and hormonal origin.
Professor A E Goodship Skeletal tissue remodelling, repair and regeneration: Mechanisms controlling skeletal tissue differentiation in endochondral bone repair. Pathobiology of tendon injury and repair. Application of principles of functional adaptation of skeletal tissues to long term integration of prostheses in the skeletal system. Cell and tissue engineering in relation to regeneration of skeletal structures.
Professor J Price Adaptation of bone and mammalian bone regeneration. The molecular mechanisms by which deer antlers regenerate. The mechanisms by which bone cells respond to mechanical strain, particularly the role of the Estrogen Receptor. The development of noninvasive biochemical methods for monitoring bone and cartilage injury in horses. The genetics and epidemiology of fracture and tendon injury in horses.
Dr A A Pitsillides Functional competence of joints and bone: The mechanism by which the functional competence of diathrodial joints is developmentally established and subsequently maintained. Establishing how mechanically-engendered stimuli influence these processes in joints, and how they result in structurally appropriate changes in bone architecture and mass.
Dr C Chenu - Regulatory and repair mechanisms of bone : mechanisms by which skeletal innervation and angiogenesis regulate bone development, remodelling and repair; molecular interactions between bone and energy homeostases.
Biomechanics (Structure and Motion Group)
Professor A Wilson Musculoskeletal biomechanics: Investigation of relationship between locomotor biomechanics and adaptation, injury and repair in the musculoskeletal system. This work primarily addresses factors limiting exercise performance and causing injury in the equine athlete.
Dr J Hutchinson Evolutionary biomechanics: Interested in how anatomy, size, and locomotion evolve in terrestrial vertebrates. Likewise, I am interested in how biomechanical and other factors limit or canalize locomotor performance, such as running speed. I work on many legged animals, extant and extinct, from dinosaurs to birds, elephants, crocodiles, and others. I use a multidisciplinary approach that integrates theoretical (computer modeling) and experimental techniques.
Dr M Daley Neuromechanics of terrestrial locomotion : The interplay between mechanics and neuromuscular control, particularly in relation to how animals achieve agile and dynamically stable movement in rough or unpredictable terrain. These issues are investigated through an integrative biomechanics approach that combines perturbation experiments, direct in vivo measures of muscle performance and mechanical models of legged locomotion.
Muscle biology
Professor N C Stickland Muscle development and growth: The mechanism whereby nutrition and movement in utero affects development of muscle tissue in the mammalian foetus,
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and consequent effects on postnatal growth. The influence of incubation temperature on muscle development in fish.
Professor P D Chantler Regulation of muscle contraction and cell motility: Molecular approaches to understanding the mechanisms of myosin-linked regulation in muscle cells and neuronal growth cones.
Dr R Macharia Molecular regulation of skeletal muscle development and postnatal adaptation: Interested in looking at the influence of muscle regulatory factors (genes) during embryonic development and how they affect muscle energetic capacities postnatally.
Cardiovascular biology and inflammation
Professor P Lees Pharmacology of Inflammation: Mediators of acute inflammation and joint diseases and the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of anti-inflammatory drugs, notably non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Professor J Elliott Vascular disease: Basic Research: The mechanisms by which dietary lipoprotein particles influence endothelial cell mediator production and their consequent importance in atherogenesis . Clinical Research: (1) The pathophysiology of progressive kidney disease and hypertension in cats (2) The mechanisms involved in ischaemia – reperfusion injury in the equine digit leading to laminitis.
Dr F M Cunningham Leucocyte and platelet function in inflammatory and allergic disease: Mediators and mechanisms of leucocyte and platelet recruitment and activation in equine allergic disease and the regulation of cell function by intracellular kinases.
Dr Scott S. Wildman 1) Local regulation of renal tubular transport processes: Research focusing on the molecular basis by which extracellular nucleotides regulate solute and water transport in the nephron using molecular, imagining and patch clamp electrophysiology techniques. A major area of interest is the potential dysfunction of nucleotide-gated P2 receptors in essential hypertension. 2) Role of P2 receptor system in bladder urothelium:
Investigations into the cellular signalling pathways associated which extracellular nucleotide signalling in normal and overactive bladder.
Professor K M Botham Lipoprotein and cholesterol metabolism: The regulation of cholesterol homeostasis in the body. The metabolism of lipoproteins carrying lipids of dietary origin in the liver and the vascular system, and their role in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Dr C Wheeler-Jones Molecular regulation of endothelial cell function in health and disease. Intracellular signalling mechanisms in vascular cells; role of protein kinases in secretory, proliferative and angiogenic functions of vascular endothelium; mechanisms and significance of prostanoid synthesis and action in the cardiovascular system.
Dr R Lawrence Mechanisms of protective immunity: innate and adaptive immunological pathways in protection against parasitic worms, eosinophils as mediators of protection and pathology, the role of complement in the development and regulation of immune responses.
Dr D B Palmer T cell development: Characterisation of the cellular and molecular involved in thymocyte development; with particular emphasis on identifying the signals provided by the thymic microenvironment that promote the differentiation and maturation of mature T lymphocytes.
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Dr C Lawson Leucocyte-vascular cell interactions: Role of adhesion molecule signalling in activation of vascular endothelium and atherogenesis. Development of small interfering RNA vectors that stop neointima formation in blood vessels.
Dr M Campanella Mitochondrial role in cell physiology and pathology: addressing the functional role of proteins involved in the regulation of mitochondrial basic metabolism and contribution to the onset of pathological conditions such as apoptotic or necrotic cell death.
Ultimately, aiming to characterize mitochondrial proteins as suitable targets for cancer and vascular diseases pharmacological treatment.
Dr C Pepiatt-Wildman Regulation of microvessels : Research focuses on the role of smooth muscle-like pericyte cells in the regulation of capillaries. Characterising the mechanisms by which pericytes regulate capillary diameter and thus blood flow in the kidney and determining the physiological significance of this process.
Genes and Development
Professor Matthew Binns Understanding the genetic basis of inherited diseases in companion animals and the development of genetic screening tests and selective breeding strategies to improve the health of these species. Examples of this approach include the study of fracture and tendon injuries in the Thoroughbred horse and the study of clotting disorders in pedigree dogs.
Dr I McGonnell Development of the craniofacial skeleton: The majority of the head skeleton is derived from a pluripotent migratory embryonic cell type, called the cranial neural crest. I am interested in understanding how cranial neural crest cells differentiate into bone and cartilage.
Currently, we are investigating genes that are involved in this differentiation process and the environmental signals that control their expression, using the developing chick and zebrafish models.
Dr G K Dhoot Muscle differentiation: Muscle differentiation and the mechanisms by which somite precursor cells become specified for different cell lineages.
Dr Geoff Pollott The genetics underpinning livestock breeding programmes: Aspects of robustness in dairy breeding programmes involve using energy balance, health and fertility traits to enhance selection objectives. Quantitative genetics takes a ‘black box’ view of the animal’s genome and work is underway to include information about functional DNA in breeding programmes.
Dr C Russell Genetics basis of neural development and disease: The central nervous system must develop precisely and then remain healthy to create a fully functional adult brain. I use the zebrafish to study the development of brain asymmetry and laterality. I also model disorders of the nervous system such as coloboma, which affects vision, and Neuronal Ceroid
Lipofuscinosis, a childhood neurodegeneration.
Dr Bradley Cobb Regulation of gene expression during lymphocyte development :
Lymphocytes undergo large changes in gene expression as they mature during lymphopoiesis.
Understanding the mechanisms of these changes will be important to develop therapeutics for manipulating the immune response during disease. My interests span from the regulation of transcriptional mechanisms to post transcriptional events regulating translation and messenger
RNA stability. Specifically I am interested in the roles of microRNAs and the molecular function of the transcription factor protein Ikaros.
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Reproduction
Professor D C Wathes Reproductive endocrinology : The relationship between energy balance and fertility in dairy cows. Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on reproduction.
Regulation and role of insulin-like growth factors in the female reproductive tract.
Prof E R S Roldan Reproductive physiology : Sperm formation and function; sperm-egg interaction. Mechanisms of reproductive isolation. Reproduction in endangered ungulates and felids: effects of inbreeding on male reproduction and development of assisted reproductive techniques.
Professor R J Scaramuzzi Physiology of the ovary: Apoptosis and atresia in the follicle, the role of the bcl-2 family of proteins; insulin, glucose transport and leptin in metabolic regulation of the follicle; TGF

and FGF2 modulation of FSH action.
Prof P F Watson Sperm physiology and preservation: Male Reproductive Physiology and
Sperm Preservation. Sperm-oviduct interactions, molecular biology of the acrosome reaction, preservation of domestic animal sperm,.
Dr R Abayasekara Reproductive endocrinology : Molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating steroid synthesis in general and luteal steroidogenesis in particular. Regulation of the uterine oxytocin receptor.
Dr LM Thurston Reproductive endocrinology and genetics : The genetic basis of sperm fertility and cryopreservation. Regulation and role of glucocorticoids in the male reproductive tissues. Molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating ovarian cyst formation.
Dr RC Fowkes – Reproductive neuroendocrinology : Transcriptional regulation of gonadotroph-specific genes in the anterior pituitary. Developmental regulation of the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus by regulatory peptides and nuclear receptors.
Dr A Fouladi - Embryology of domestic species, molecular regulation of uterine-embryo interactions, the mechanisms by which dietary factors influence fertility
Dr Abir Mukherjee Growth Factors in Reproductive Endocrinology and Metabolism: The role of TGF

factors in signaling mechanisms that regulate reproduction and metabolism. Effect of TGF

factors on gonad development and physiology and the metabolic functions of pancreas, muscle, fat and liver.
Dr Mandi de Mestre Immunobiology of Placentation : Transcriptional regulation and function of heparanase during placental development, trophoblast-immune interactions, transcriptional regulators of equine binucleate cells, infertility in the mare. Regulatory T cells in the horse.
The Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences is responsible for teaching and research in the disciplines of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Pharmacology and
Physiology. The Department contributes to teaching in five undergraduate programmes.
1. In the five-year BVet Med programme, instruction in Anatomy, Pharmacology, Physiology,
Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology is presented throughout years 1 and 2. All subjects are examined in the First BVetMed examination (part 1) at the end of year 1, and the
First BVetMed (part 2) is taken at the end of year 2. In addition, elective courses in clinical
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pharmacology and therapeutics, reproduction and orthopaedics are offered to final year students.
2. The RVC’s three-year BSc (Honours) programme in Veterinary Sciences is a unique nonclinical degree course providing broad coverage of the biological and biomedical sciences relating to animals and animal disease. The Department contributes to this programme at all levels, including the provision of final year specialisations and second and final year laboratorybased projects.
3. The Department contributes to basic science teaching in the four-year BSc (Honours) programme in Veterinary Nursing, developed conjointly between the RVC and Middlesex
University.
4. In October 2005, the RVC inaugurated a one-year Veterinary Gateway programme as part of its commitment to widening access. The Department contributes substantially to this new preveterinary course by providing first year introductory level coverage of comparative animal biology, including aspects of animal evolution, development, adaptation, regulation, and cell biology.
5. In October 2005, the RVC admitted biological sciences graduates, together with transferring
BSc Veterinary Sciences students, to an accelerated four-year BVetMed programme. The
Department contributes particularly to teaching in the first year of this course through the provision of appropriate pre-clinical coverage of systems-based anatomy and physiology, pathology and pharmacology.
Members of staff are also actively committed to London University’s intercalated BSc degree for veterinary, medical and dental students. The one year BSc courses are taken after completion of the first two years of the veterinary undergraduate course and some 15% of students take advantage of this opportunity.
BVetMed
The five year course covers preclinical, paraclinical and clinical groups of subjects integrated to provide a smooth passage from one discipline to another.
A major innovation several years ago was the introduction of a horizontally integrated course involving veterinary physiology, veterinary anatomy and veterinary pharmacology, together with elements of biochemistry and molecular biology. A process of vertical integration is ongoing and a revised curriculum was started in September 2007.
The Department is also committed to the use of innovative teaching methods, reducing lecturing hours and moving towards small group directed learning and problem solving methods.
Students start at the Camden Campus with the preclinical course that occupies the major part of the first two years. Currently the course provides an understanding of the structure and functioning of a healthy animal in its normal environment as a basis for later study of disease and its control in domestic animals. During the six terms of the course, the integrated study of anatomy, biochemistry and physiology ensures that the gross and microscopic structures are related to their normal function in domestic animals. Appropriate pharmacology is integrated into each system. The amount of time given to didactic teaching in lectures has recently been reduced in order to provide time each day for directed learning that gives opportunities for reinforcement of the material and for learning through problem-solving. During the second year of the revised curriculum the principles of immunology, pathology, bacteriology, virology and parasitology are also taught and form the link between basic sciences and clinical courses.
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The Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences currently contributes teaching to the following modules:
Year 1 (new curriculum)
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Principles of Science
Integrated Structure and Function
An introduction to the body systems
 The alimentary system
 The nervous system
Year 2
 The Head
 Digestion and Metabolism
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Immunology
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Integrated Structure and Function
Endocrinology and Thermoregulation
Genito-urinary system (including reproduction)
Special Species
Year 3
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Principles of Microbiology
Principles of Clinical Sciences
Alimentary System
Respiratory System
Neurology and special senses
Final Year
 Electives
BSc (Hons) IN VETERINARY NURSING
The Department is responsible for teaching two of the Animal Science modules on the BSc in veterinary nursing degree. Animal Science I is an introduction to physiology and anatomy which is fundamental to understanding the biological processes occurring in dogs and cats. This module provides a framework for Animal Science II, which aims to build on the material studied in Animal Science I thereby enhancing the understanding of anatomy and physiology and providing a framework for ensuring good nursing practice.
BSc (Hons) IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
The BSc (Honours) in Veterinary Sciences, which was inaugurated in September 2002, extends the Royal Veterinary College's range of degree programmes and is intended for those interested in animal science at the interface between the basic biological sciences and veterinary medicine. Graduates from this course are well equipped for a range of careers in animal biological sciences including biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, veterinaryrelated industries and biomedical research. This is a non-clinical programme and graduates are not qualified to become members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or to practice as a veterinary surgeon.
A defining feature of the course is an emphasis throughout the three years on laboratory instruction and the principles of experimental investigation in the biological sciences. The
Foundations of Science module provides a basis in the philosophy of science and underpinning general principles of scientific method, including the formulation of hypothesis, data interpretation, statistical instruction and literature evaluation. At the end of the first year, students undertake an independent library-based research project. Students undertake sixweek laboratory placements in the various research laboratories of the Royal Veterinary
College at the end of the second year of study. This allows them to sequentially build and
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contextualise their research skills, providing a smooth transition to the design and execution of a substantial twelve-week third year project. Third year modules may be selected from those offered by the College or by other Colleges of the University of London.
The scope of the course content, with a clear focus on the species and diseases of veterinary relevance, sets it apart from more general degree subjects like zoology or biology.
The Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences teaches or contributes to the following modules:
Year 1
 Foundations of Science
 Form and Function of Integrated Systems
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Molecular Regulation and Control of Biological Systems
 Problem Definition and Investigation
Year 2
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The Enemy Within
The Enemy Without
Pharmacology: Principles and Practice
Entrepreneurship
Year 3
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Advanced Skeletal Pathobiology
Comparative Animal Locomotion
From Egg to Embryo
Infection and Immunity 1
Infection and Immunity 2
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The salary will be according to qualifications and experience and will be on the University’s
Academic Salary Scales at Grade 6 -
£30,185 per annum inclusive of £2,323 per annum
London Allowance.

The post will be based at our Hawkshead Campus near Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, but the successful candidate may be asked to carry out work at any of the College’s campuses, or at other places, as dictated by the requirements of the post.
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Normal working hours will be 35 per week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. This may vary from time to time in consultation with your line manager.

The successful candidate will be eligible to join the USS pension scheme.

Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per annum plus Christmas closure and bank holidays.
Please note: The College has a “no smoking” policy and smoking is only permitted is certain designated areas.
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For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Ali Fouladi-Nashta, email afouladi@rvc.ac.uk
tel:
01707 666662.
To apply online please visit our website www.rvc.ac.uk/jobs
Closing date: 23 rd January 2009.
Interviews are likely to be held on 20 th or 24 th February 2009.
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