Faculty of Veterinary Science : Guide to courses

7. General course information (BVSc and BAnimSc)

Table of Contents

 7. General course information (BVSc and BAnimSc)

 7.1. Where to go for assistance

The faculty office is located on the first floor of the Veterinary Preclinical Centre at Parkville. Staff are available to answer questions on all administrative matters and can help direct you to assistance for personal or study problems. Telephone (03) 8344 7357.

Students based at the Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, may seek advice from the Dean's office in the first instance. Telephone (03) 9731 2000.

Other help structures provided are:

• the Associate Dean (Students Preclinical), Mr C Philip, located at Parkville for academic welfare matters;

• the Associate Dean (Students Clinical), Dr R Mitten, located at Werribee for academic welfare matters;

• a mentor, who is an academic staff member, is allocated to the student at the commencement of the course for the first two years and then another at the commencement of the clinical training;

• a subject coordinator is responsible for the management of a particular subject and is able to provide academic advice and receive feedback from students on the quality of the course delivery.

 7.2. Are additional studies available?

Generally the schedule of classes for veterinary S

science within the academic semester does not allow time for additional studies such as the Diploma of Modern Languages or the Diploma of Music (Practical) or single subjects offered by other Faculties. Students should discuss their requests with staff in the faculty office, and arrangements will be made to facilitate these studies where possible.

 7.3. Is study overseas possible?

While the University has formal exchange agreements with a number of overseas universities, a few of which have a veterinary school, course structure and academic year differences have made it difficult to achieve any student exchanges. Often students have done an additional year to participate in a study abroad program.

Students who consider undertaking any of the practical farm work or extramural veterinary work overseas should apply to the faculty office or the Dean's office for permission.

 7.4. Taking leave of absence

Application for leave of absence should be made through the faculty office. Normally students take leave for a whole year for a variety of reasons but there is an expectation that such leave will assist their personal development. Leave of absence granted on medical grounds for less than an academic year requires that the student returns for the whole academic year in the case of first and second year students or the whole semester in the case of third and fourth year students.

 7.5. Academic progress - mid year (pre-veterinary year and BVSc course)

For the pre-veterinary year, subjects will normally be examined in the semester in which they are taught. Students will be counselled on their performances at mid-year.

For the first two years of the BVSc course the assessment load is split between mid-year and end-of-year examinations. Students who fail any component of assessment at mid-year are counselled on their performance by the subject coordinator and/or the Associate Dean (Students - Preclinical) with a view to finding a solution to any academic or personal problems.

 7.6. Academic progress - end of year (pre-veterinary year)

To continue to the first year of the BVSc course students in the pre-veterinary year must pass all their subjects at the first attempt. A special examination is regarded for this purpose as the examination and, therefore, the first attempt.

 7.7. Progression in the Bachelor of Veterinary Science course - standing rules

In the Faculty of Veterinary Science, progression is by years in the first and second years and by semesters in the third and fourth years.

1. Faculty pass: A faculty pass for a year shall be granted if a student fails one subject with a deficiency of up to four marks, provided the excess marks in the subjects passed are at least three times the deficiency in the subject failed. A faculty pass can only be obtained at the first attempt at an examination, i.e. not at a supplementary examination or in a repeat year. A special examination is regarded for these purposes as the first attempt. A faculty pass may not be awarded in the final year of the course.

2. Supplementary examination: A student in the course shall be granted a supplementary examination in subjects in which the student fails, provided that the student has failed in no more than two subjects and none of the marks obtained are less than 40 per cent. Supplementary examinations can only be granted at the first attempt. No supplementary examination will be held in the Winter Recess.

3. Suspension: After the first attempt at the assessment in a particular year, a student may be recommended for suspension if:

   1. being a student in the first year of the course:

      • fails in three or more subjects of the year; or

      • fails in two or more subjects of the year with an average mark of less than 40 per cent in the failed subjects; or

      • fails any subject of supplementary assessment.

   2. being a student in the second or later year of the course:

      • fails in all subjects of the year or semester in the case of third and fourth year; or

      • passes in one subject of the year, or semester in the case of third and fourth year, but fails in the remaining subjects with an average mark of less than 40 per cent in the failed subjects.

   3. being a student in any year of the course:

      • fails in consecutive years; or

      • fails at a second attempt at a year or semester.

4. Permitted to repeat:

   1. A student in the first year of the course will not normally be allowed to repeat that year.

   2. A student in the second or a later year of the course may be permitted to repeat the failed year or semester in the case of third and fourth year if his or her performance falls between that described in sections b. and c.

Students whose end-of-year performance is in the suspension category will be given an opportunity to make a submission, either written, in person or both, to the Faculty's Progress Committee. The Committee will take into account any special circumstances before deciding whether or not to make a formal recommendation for suspension. If the student is recommended for suspension from the course, he/she may make an appeal to the Academic Board.

 7.8. Re-enrolment

Students who have passed each subject in the year of a course or who have been granted a faculty pass in the year as a whole, are required to re-enrol for the following year. An authorised re-enrolment form and re-enrolment instructions will be sent to these students in December.

Please take action as instructed.

Students who are not permitted to re-enrol in December will be contacted individually by the faculty office.

 7.9. Resumption of course

Enquiries about resuming studies after suspension or termination from a course should be made to the faculty office. Students would be expected to have demonstrated some academic rehabilitation before any application would be considered.

 7.10. Credit for previous study

Applicants for the Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree may make application for credit on the basis of previously completed equivalent veterinary studies.

No credits may be granted for subjects in the final two years of the course.

Status:                   Official 2001
Last Modified:            Wednesday May 23 22:26
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Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au