Veterinary Studies and Veterinary Clinical Studies

Units of study are offered in supervised mode. Students may select from any of the units of study shown below.

Supervised units of study are typically on-campus with very few students. Enrolment in these units is dependent on agreement from a suitable supervisor. Some supervised units of study, for example research project units of study, may be taken by distance students with an approved internal or external supervisor.

Veterinary Studies Clinical Residency Program

Master of Veterinary Clinical Studies and Master of Veterinary Studies

Students must complete:
(a) 48 credit points of coursework for the Master of Veterinary Studies relevant to the chosen stream
(b) research on an approved topic and;
(c) submit a thesis that meets the requirements specified in the:
(i) University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011
(ii) Thesis and Examination of Higher Degrees by Research Policy 2015

Elective Units

VETS9013 Advanced Case Report in Vet Studies

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This unit will require the investigation and preparation of a case report suitable for publication in a scientific journal. The case chosen should make a novel contribution to the veterinary literature. The length of the case report will vary according to journal requirements. Oral presentation(s) will form a part of the assessment for this unit, varying according to the required length of the report. Students should discuss the case regularly with their supervisor and complete a student/supervisor agreement form early to submit to the Sub Dean for Postgraduate Coursework.
VETS9014 Advanced Veterinary Clinical Practice 1

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: This is a supervised unit of study. Enrolment in this unit is subject to the availability of a suitable supervisor and submission of Learning Agreement outlining learning outcomes, approaches, assessment and assessment criteria before enrolment in and commencement of unit of study. Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This is a post graduate unit for students admitted into the UVTH resident training program (an advanced learning program) and provides students with direct supervised in a chosen area of study aligned with their chosen veterinary specialist discipline (e.g. Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Surgery, Veterinary Pathology etc).
This Unit provides students with a Capstone experience, allowing candidates to consolidate their learning and develop their clinical skills and knowledge further in their chosen specialty. It also gives students the opportunity to participate in an externship, in order to meet ANZCVSc specialist requirements.
Students are required to discuss learning outcomes, methods for achieving them, assessment and assessment criteria with their supervisor and submit documentation to the program Academic Supervisor before enrolment in and commencement of study in the relevant Semester.
Students must also outline their intention to participate in an externship prior to enrolment and receive approval from the program Academic Supervisor.
Textbooks
There are no set textbooks for this unit of study
VETS9015 Advanced Veterinary Clinical Practice 2

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: This is a supervised unit of study. Enrolment in this unit is subject to the availability of a suitable supervisor and submission of Learning Agreement outlining learning outcomes, approaches, assessment and assessment criteria before enrolment in and commencement of unit of study. Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This is a post graduate unit for students admitted into the UVTH resident training program (an advanced learning program) and provides students with direct supervision in a chosen area of study aligned with their chosen veterinary specialist discipline (e.g. Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Surgery, Veterinary Pathology etc).
This Unit provides students with a Capstone experience, allowing candidates to consolidate their learning and develop their clinical skills and knowledge further in their chosen specialty. It also gives students the opportunity to participate in an externship, in order to meet ANZCVSc specialist requirements.
Students are required to discuss learning outcomes, methods for achieving them, assessment and assessment criteria with their supervisor and submit documentation to the program Academic Supervisor before enrolment in and commencement of study in the relevant Semester.
Students must also outline their intention to participate in an externship prior to enrolment and receive approval from the program Academic Supervisor.
Textbooks
There are no set textbooks for this unit of study
VETS9016 Veterinary Training: Related Disciplines

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This unit will allow students to be supervised in specific areas of study in related disciplines that are considered desirable but not covered in any other postgraduate units of their selected stream.
Students must discuss learning outcomes, methods for achieving them, assessment and assessment criteria with their Primary Discipline Supervisor and submit a Learning Agreement to the program Academic Supervisor before enrolment in and commencement of study in the relevant Semester.
Textbooks
There are no set textbooks for this unit of study
VETS9017 Advanced Veterinary Clinical Practice 3

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This is a postgraduate unit for students admitted into the UVTH resident training program (an advanced learning program) and provides students with direct supervision in a chosen area of study aligned with their chosen veterinary specialist discipline (e.g. Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Surgery, Veterinary Pathology etc).
This Unit provides students with a Capstone experience, allowing candidates to consolidate their learning and develop their clinical skills and knowledge further in their chosen specialty. It also gives students the opportunity to participate in an externship, in order to meet ANZCVSc specialist requirements
Students are required to discuss learning outcomes, methods for achieving them, assessment and assessment criteria with their supervisor and submit documentation to the program Academic Supervisor before enrolment in and commencement of study in the relevant Semester.
Students must also outline their intention to participate in an externship prior to enrolment and receive approval from the program Academic Supervisor.
Textbooks
There are no set textbooks for this unit of study.
VETS9050 Diagnostic Laboratory Techniques

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This Unit of Study focuses on components that allow a diagnostic veterinary laboratory to provide quality information for the purposes of diagnosis and prognosis. There will be opportunities to understand specimen handling and processing, safety in the laboratory, diagnostic instrumentation, aspects of quality control and assurance for laboratory results, and the establishment and use of reference ranges. Students will be exposed to the theory and practice of a wide range of diagnostic techniques and procedures.
At the end of this Unit of Study, students will: Operate common laboratory instrumentation; Know safety requirements for handling and processing biological specimens; Understand aspects of quality control and assurance in relation to laboratory results; Understand the use of reference ranges; Know the theory behind common diagnostic laboratory techniques; Communicate effectively to colleagues results of laboratory tests.
Textbooks
Raphael SS (senior author). Lynch's Laboratory Technology. 4th edn. Philadelphia: WB Saunders 1983 ISBN 0-7216-7465-8
VETS9051 Haematological and Biochemical Analysis

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: VETS9050 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This Unit of Study focuses on the use of haematological and biochemical tests in the investigation of disease. Faecal analysis and Urinalysis (all aspects) are included in this unit for convenience. Students will develop knowledge of commonly used tests and analytes, and skill in interpretation of results. Practical skills will be developed in haematology, urinalysis and faecal analysis. At the end of this Unit of Study, students will: Know and use the range of haematological and biochemical tests available for investigation of disease; Perform a full blood count; Understand haematological investigation of anaemia, leukaemia and bleeding disorders; Perform routine urinalysis; Perform faecal analysis; Identify cells and other morphological structures on blood films, urine wet preparations, and faecal smears; Interpret the significance of results and communicate these effectively to colleagues.
Textbooks
Archer RK. Jeffcott LB. Comparative Clinical Haematology. 1st edn. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific. 1977 ISBN 0-632-00289-1
VETS9052 Necropsy and Surgical Pathology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: VETS9050 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This unit focuses on developing observation, interpretation and reporting skills for morbid anatomy and histopathology. Students will perform necropsies and select tissues for histopathological examination. They will also be exposed to techniques of processing and staining (H and E, special stains and immunohistochemical staining). There will be special attention paid to describing gross and microscopic changes, and writing reports. Students will be exposed to the fundamentals of interpretation. At the end of this Unit of Study, students will: Perform necropsies on, and collect tissues from, standard species; Effectively describe and communicate gross pathological changes (necropsy and biopsy); Select fixed tissues for histopathological processing; Understand the theory and practice of tissue processing and staining; Examine and describe histopathological slides; Understand basic interpretive techniques; Write adequate biopsy and necropsy reports.
Textbooks
Slauson DO. Cooper BJ. Mechanisms of Disease. A Textbook of Comparative General Pathology. 3rd edn. Mosby 2002
VETS9054 Diagnostic Instrumentation Advanced

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: VETS9050 and VETS9051 and VETS9052 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This Unit of Study focuses on laboratory instrumentation used in veterinary practice as well as in a commercial laboratory practice. Students will be exposed to in-depth theory and practice of a wide range of diagnostic techniques and procedures. There will be a greater emphasis on quality control and assurance for laboratory results. Statistical analysis of results and establishment of reference intervals will be an important component of this UoS. At the end of this Unit of Study, students will: Effectively operate common and advanced laboratory instrumentation; Know safety requirements for handling and processing biological specimens; Have advanced understanding aspects of quality control and assurance in relation to laboratory results; Understand the statistical evaluation of laboratory results; Be able to develop reference intervals for a range of biochemical and haematological tests; Know in-depth the theory behind common and advanced diagnostic laboratory techniques; Communicate effectively to colleagues results of laboratory tests.
Textbooks
Kaneko JJ. Harvey JW. Bruss ML. eds. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 5th edn. San Diego: Academic Press Inc.1997 ISBN 0-12-396305-2
VETS9055 Clinical Pathology Interpretation Adv

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: VETS9050 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This Unit of Study focuses on the advanced interpretation of clinical pathology results for purposes of diagnosis and prognosis. There will be a great emphasis on haematological and biochemical test analysis, with students being introduced to specialist topics such as bone marrow analysis, blood typing, coagulation studies, endocrinological analysis, protein electrophoresis analysis and acute phase proteins determination. At the end of this Unit of Study, students will: Understand advanced haematological investigation of anaemia, leukaemia and bleeding disorders; Perform bone marrow analysis; Perform and interpret coagulation studies; Perform and interpret endocrine assays; Perform and interpret protein electrophoretic and acute phase protein analysis; Interpret the significance of al clinical pathology results and communicate these effectively to colleagues.
Textbooks
Archer RK. Jeffcott LB. Comparative Clinical Haematology. 1st edn. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific 1977. ISBN 0-632-00289-1
VETS9056 Necropsy and Surgical Pathology Adv

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: VETS9050 and VETS9052 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This Unit of Study focuses on developing advanced observation, interpretation and reporting skills for morbid anatomy and histopathology. Students will perform necropsies and select complete ranges of tissues for histopathological examination. They will also be expected to develop skills in techniques of processing a wide range of tissues and staining (in particular histochemical and immunohistochemical stains). There will be a greater emphasis paid to describing gross and microscopic changes, and writing reports. Students will be exposed to advanced levels of interpretation. At the end of this Unit of Study, students will: Perform necropsies on, and collect a wide range of tissues from, standard species; Describe and communicate gross pathological changes (necropsy and biopsy) at an advanced level; Select a wide range of fixed tissues for histopathological processing; Understand the theory and practice of routine tissue processing and staining; Understand the theory and practice of histochemical and immunohistochemical processing and staining; Perform histochemical and immunohistochemical processing and staining; Examine and describe histopathological slides to an advanced level; Be able to interpret common diseases from necropsy and biopsy material; Write superior biopsy and necropsy reports.
Textbooks
Slauson DO. Cooper BJ. Mechanisms of Disease. A Textbook of Comparative General Pathology. 3rd edn. Mosby 2002
VETS9057 Cytological Analysis Advanced

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Prerequisites: VETS9050 Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Students must have current registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, Australia and must be admitted into a UVTH residency training program.
This Unit of Study focuses on the processing and interpretation of cytological samples. This will include both fluid and solid tissue analysis. There will be an emphasis on description and interpretation of fluids and solid tissue cytology. There will be an expectation that report writing will be of a high standard. At the end of this Unit of Study, students will: Process cytological samples from urine, joints, body cavities and cerebrospinal fluid; Process cytological samples from solid tissue (including fine needle cell aspirates, imprints and scrapings); Identify and interpret cells and other morphological structures in fluids and solid; Interpret pathological processes and common conditions in cytological samples; Write superior reports for cytological samples.
Textbooks
Raskin RE. Meyer DJ. eds. Atlas of Canine and Feline Cytology. 1st edn. Philadelphia: WB Saunders 2001. ISBN 0-7216-6335-4