07/PG/56
THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION FOR BACHELOR OF
VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY/
INTEGRATED PHD
1) Awarding Institution: University of Edinburgh
2) Teaching Institution: University of Edinburgh
3) Programme accredited by: The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, American
Veterinary Medical Association
4) Final Award: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S), Doctor of
Philosophy
5) Programme Title: Veterinary Medicine Research degree
6) UCAS Code: xxxx
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmarking Group(s): Veterinary Science
7) Postholder with overall responsibility for QA: Professor Elaine Watson
8) Date of production/revision: November 2007
9) Educational aims of programme:
The BVM&S degree at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies provides students
with breadth and depth of knowledge in veterinary science. This allows appreciation of
fundamental scientific principles and their integration with, and application to, the whole
animal. This holistic education combines with the staged acquisition of specific clinical and
generic skills to produce graduates trained to the core competencies identified by the
accrediting bodies. The depth and breadth of the BVM&S degree equips students well for
biomedical research. Concurrent pursuit of a PhD allows parallel acquisition of research
and clinical skills.
The aims of the programme are broadly:
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To provide an understanding of the normal biological function and welfare needs of
animals
To enable clinical disciplines to be learnt within the context of a firm foundation in
basic science
To allow the development of advanced research skills applicable to the veterinary
profession alongside their veterinary training
To produce graduates for the practising arm of the profession and allied research,
commercial and public health positions
To encourage responsible and professional behaviour encompassing legal and
ethical considerations
To foster a spirit of enquiry and equip graduates with an appreciation of the
importance of lifelong learning
10) Programme Outcomes:
Informed by: Ref A - QAA Subject benchmark Statement: Veterinary Science; Ref B RCVS day one skills/ competencies; Ref C – RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
1. Structure and function of healthy animals
2. Animal health, husbandry and welfare
3. Disease agents, pathogenesis and prevention of disease
4. Principles of, and indications for medical and surgical intervention; principles of pharmacology and
anaesthesia
5. Public health issues, zoonoses, food production/ processing and economics. Epidemiology of
disease.
6. Contribution of basic and applied research to all aspects of veterinary science
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Didactic lectures, practical classes, small group tutorials (1-6). Practical animal handling sessions
(2). Vertical thread course (5) comprising lectures, tutorials and group work. CAL packages available
for reinforcement of material (1-4). Research project (6)
ASSESSMENT
E/C: Written examinations (essay and short answer) (1-6). Questions requiring data interpretation (1,
5). Practical animal handling (2).
I/C: Reports on practical work (1), Investigative essays (1, 3), EMS reports (2), peer assessment (1,
5) , analysis of original literature and data (5)
SUBJECT SPECIFIC PRACTICAL SKILLS
7. Handle and restrain animals safely
8. Provide advice on principles of husbandry, nutrition, prophylaxis and maintenance of health and
welfare records
9. Take histories and clinically examine animals; provide emergency care to all species
10. Collect samples and interpret ancillary diagnostic and laboratory techniques
11. Utilise imaging equipment as a diagnostic aid in accordance with regulations
12. Recognise the indications for medical/ surgical interventions and advise on/ administer
appropriate treatments for individuals and groups
13. Prescribe and dispense medicines correctly and responsibly
14. Safely perform sedation, regional and general anaesthesia and euthanasia
15. Follow correct procedures after diagnosing notifiable, reportable and zoonotic diseases.
16. Carry out surgical, medical and other practical procedures commensurate with Ref. B
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Lectures and practicals, EMS (7, 8). Combination of lectures, small group tutorials and practical
sessions running throughout 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year (8-16) .
ASSESMENT
E/C: Practical/ oral (8, 9). Final professional examination – Practicals, orals, OSPrES, OSCEs (7-16)
I/C: (7-16) continuously assessed in final year practical rotations; OSCEs (9)
PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS
17.Be able to recognise personal limitations and have an awareness of relevant sources of support
18. Apply the ethical codes as set out in Ref C and behave in a professional manner
19. Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
20. Communicate effectively with the public and professional colleagues.
21. Accurately maintain case records and prepare clear reports for interpretation by others
22.Understand the importance of time management, independent learning and study skills
23. Demonstrate competence in Information Technology (library, internet, general computing skills)
24. Understand the obligation for a commitment to lifelong learning
TEACHING AND LEARNING
These skills permeate teaching in final year rotations and EMS (17-23). Seminars, role playing
(observation, participation) (20) and practical/ interactive sessions as part of PPDP (22, 23).
ASSESMENT
E/C: Final professional examination, practicals, orals (17-21)
I/C: (17-21) continuously assessed in final year practical rotations. (19) in peer assessed group
work.
(22, 23) component of PPDP; not currently assessed. (24) is a desirable learning outcome but is not
assessed.
E/C: End of course, I/C: In course, EMS: Extra Mural Studies, OSPrEs:Objective Structured
Practical Examinations, OSCEs: Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, PPDP: Personal
and Professional Development Portfolio, CAL: Computer Aided Learning
RESEARCH TRAINING
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Demonstrate (by the presentation of a thesis) and by performance at an oral examination (unless this
is exceptionally waived) the capability of pursuing original research in the chosen field of study
ASSESSMENT
The thesis must be an original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in or
understanding of the field of study and containing material worthy of publication; show adequate
knowledge of the field of study and relevant literature; show the exercise of critical judgement with
regard to both the candidate's work and that of other scholars in the same general field; contain
material which presents a unified body of work such as could reasonably be achieved on the basis of
three years postgraduate study and research; be satisfactory in its literary presentation, give full and
adequate references and have a coherent structure understandable to a scholar in the same general
field with regard to intentions, background, methods and conclusions.
11) Programme Structure and Features
The course is Full-time only with no options for part-time or distance learning strategies; CTD = Cells, Tissues and Development; PMVPH = Population Medicine and
Veterinary Public Health, ICC = integrated clinical course
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW – INTEGRATED PHD
Courses
Credits
1
YEAR
Credits
Accumulated
Credits
Courses
Credits
Courses
3
PhD
Farm
animal
ICC
2
The Animal
Body
60
Body
Systems 3
30
Introductory
Pathology
and
Infectious
Disease
Introduction
to Animal
Husbandry–
GEP
PMVPH
30
Clinical
Foundation
Course
10
10
120
240
Credits
Courses
Credits
4
40
40
30
Dog and
cat ICC
50
PMVPH
20
PMVPH
10
120
360
PhD studies – beginning after semester 1 of 3rd year of
study (4th year of BVM&S)
Credits
5
Equine
and
Exotics
ICC
CLIC
40
400
Courses
Year 5 rotations
Credits
6
60
Year 5 rotations
7
60
20
80
480
60
540
60
600
12) Other items:
STUDENT SUPPORT AND CONSULTATION MECHANISMS
Student support: Every undergraduate student in the school has a Director of Studies (DoS). The
DoS is available to help their directees deal with any academic or personal problems which may affect
their studies. In addition, they can direct students to appropriate university services and will write
references in support of their directees’ applications for employment. Students are also assigned a
PPD mentor and will be assigned a Research Director whose role it will be to oversee the students
research programme.
Student consultation: Each undergraduate year of the course has a Staff: Student Liaison
Committee for discussion of academic matters within each year. Additionally, a Student Consultation
Committee exists to articulate student opinion on curriculum-wide issues and to provide a student
perspective on new proposals.
EXTRA MURAL STUDIES PLACEMENTS
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons requires all veterinary students to undertake a period of
extra-mural studies. Currently a total of 38 weeks (12 animal husbandry; 26 clinical) of experience
must be gained in vacation periods during the five years of the course. These periods can include
overseas placements (up to 8 weeks).
CAL and EEVEC
The school is also active in the generation of Computer Aided Learning materials and has a bespoke
Virtual Learning Environment (EEVEC - Edinburgh Electronic Veterinary Curriculum) which is being
continually modified and upgraded. This system allows electronic access by students to timetables,
staff information, courseware materials and discussion boards. Embedded links to supporting CAL
and other resources are also present.
Further information on the R(D)SVS is available on-line at
http://www.vet.ed.ac.uk/
Programme Proposal
2.1 Programme Information
Background
The paucity of veterinary graduates who choose to enter research is widely recognised.
This was one of the conclusions of the Selbourne Report and was the subject of discussion
of a special meeting “Training and capacity building for animal health research” convened by
the Wellcome Trust in June, 2005. The small number of research-active veterinary
graduates needs to be set against the observation that the broad nature of veterinary
training uniquely equips these graduates for nearly any aspect of biomedical research.
Currently veterinary students can include 8 weeks research based study in their required 26
weeks of veterinary EMS. However, they have little opportunity to for in-depth coverage of
research techniques, methodology or ethics with the veterinary timetable. While provision
exists for intercalating a PhD in the BVM&S degree, this may be unattractive as it requires
suspension of veterinary studies to concentrate on a fulltime research degree. The structure
of the BVM&S programme makes it possible to integrate ongoing veterinary studies and
EMS with a research degree and we are therefore proposing an integrated degree which
would contain all elements of the BVM&S as well as 36month full-time research degree.
This degree programme is directed to graduate entry students who enrol for the 4 year
Graduate Entry Programme (GEP) and are thus well qualified for the postgraduate research
degree.
Experience elsewhere - Veterinary
Evidence from North America where such programmes are already in place indicates that
they increase the numbers of students taking research degrees and with the potential for
developing future careers including as clinician researchers.
Although the GEP has only been in place since 2006, we have already been asked for this
alternative by US students, and some of the US students specifically come to us because of
our research reputation.
Experience elsewhere – Medical
A handful of UK medical schools offer an integrated MB/PhD, notably Cambridge. The
Academy of Medical Sciences performed a review of this programme in 2003 entitled
"Strengthening Clinical Research". The review was highly favourable including comments on
the advantages of having a cohort of clinician scientists where a research culture was
inculcated early in the programme and the importance of maintaining clinical teaching during
the research programme for the production of clinician scientists
Timetable
The first 2 years would follow the timetable for the Graduate entry veterinary degree
programme. From semester 1, year 3, the student would integrate modules of 3th and 4th
year GEP with PhD studies and required EMS. Years 3-7 would be full time study without
undergraduate vacations. The programme would involve
Year 3 40credits Farm animal ICC
6 weeks EMS
6 months PhD
Year 4 40 credits Equine and exotics ICC
20 credits CLIC
20 credits PMVPH
6 weeks EMS
4 months PhD
Year 5 60 credits BVM&S final year rotations
6 weeks EMS
7 months PhD
Year 6 60 credits BVM&S final year rotations
8 weeks EMS (research)
7 months PhD
Year 7 12 months PhD
2.2 Market Information
An integrated PhD BVMS is not currently available at any UK Vet School. All UK Schools
offer the opportunity to intercalate a PhD. This requires that the student suspends the
veterinary degree to concentrate full time on research and has the disadvantage that the
student is academically distanced from their veterinary training for 3 years and has to
readjust when returning to the undergraduate veterinary course.
The R(D)SVS receives an increasing number of requests for intercalated PhDs particularly
from students from the USA where combined DVM-PhD programmes are available.
Student Numbers: Given the relatively specialised nature of this programme, , we would
anticipate no more than 2-3 students per year .
Funding: Currently all GEP students are self funding. Students are likely to be eligible for
support from schemes funding veterinarians undertaking research degrees.
2.3 Resource Information- Business Planning
Tuition fees would be the sum of BVM&S and full-time postgraduate (research). Bench fees
of £4Kpa would be required.
The programme would not require additional staffing. Staffing for the BVM&S is in place and
the students enrolling on the integrated BVM&S/PhD would be included in the intake for
BVM&S. No increase in BVM&S intake is envisaged. Supervisors for PhD projects could be
recruited from within the school. The expansion of staff brought about by the integration of
the Roslin Institute into the University of Edinburgh has increased the number of staff
available to train postgraduate students. These new staff members are research orientated
with negligible teaching loads and are ideally placed to provide high quality research training.
2.4 Administration/QA
Administrative support would be provided by the Veterinary Teaching Organisation staff who
administer the BVM&S
The taught BVM&S component is covered by QA for this degree. The PhD programme
would be subject to the Guidelines for Postgraduate Research Students laid down by the
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine School Postgraduate Studies Committees. QA
for PhD studies is provided by the external examiner and the PhD component would be
reviewed as and when the School Postgraduate Programmes were reviewed.
3. Degree programme Table
Degree Programme Title: Bachelor of Veterinary Surgery and Medicine/PhD
Degree Type: Integrated Undergraduate/postgraduate Research Degree
Programme Code: ?
4. Course Creation and Maintenance Systems (CCAMS)