250-424 Professional Practice 3 (Electives)

Blocks of approved practical work in areas selected by the student. This may be undertaken in the Veterinary Clinic and Hospital, specialised academic units, research laboratories or approved practices. This enables students to spend extra time in areas of particular interest to them. Thus they could spend time in a specific practice (such as agricultural animal, aquatic animal, equine, laboratory animal, small animal, or zoo animal practice); or a specific discipline (such as basic research, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, stud work, surgery, ophthalmology, pathology or theriogenology).

Students completing this subject should have acquired the following:

• cognitive, analytic and problem solving skills, involving independent thought, rational enquiry and self-directed learning;

• respect for intellectual integrity and professional ethics;

• professional and technical skills;

• writing skills and the use of advanced communication technologies;

• time management and planning skills;

• community and leadership skills including facility in public speaking and presentation;

• people management, the ability to participate effectively in collaborative learning, interpersonal relationships and grief counselling; and

• finance and business management skills.

Satisfactory performance in each of four elective rotations (blocks) undertaken (each 10%). Six 15-minute oral/practical examinations covering all the clinical and applied aspects of all courses and disciplines in the two clinical years (each 10%). Students must pass each oral examination and each elective rotation. The 17 weeks of extramural work requirement (see Professional Practice 1 and 2) undertaken after completion of second year must be completed by the formal assessment in this subject. Reports of academic associates will be taken into account.