Unit information: Animal Health Science Foundation in 2019/20

Unit name	Animal Health Science Foundation
Unit code	VETS10013
Credit points	0
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6)
Unit director	Professor. Frankie MacMillan
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	VETS10300 Animal Management, VETS14000 Professional Studies 1, Animal Health Science 1
School/department	Bristol Veterinary School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The unit aims to provide students with a basic understanding of the foundations of Animal Health Science, progressing from cells as a unit of life, through tissues, to organ systems and the whole body. Participation in a range of activities including independent learning and group work aims to equip students with practical skills and provide an introduction to scientific methods. Reference to common clinical examples will be made where appropriate to enable an understanding of clinical relevance.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students will:

• have an overview of body organisation
• have an understanding of cell biology, cell growth and division
• be able to describe how specific tissues are related to their function
• appreciate how cells communicate with one another and their environment
• be able to demonstrate a knowledge of basic body control systems involved in homeostatic mechanisms

Teaching Information

• Lectures
• Practical classes (laboratory and dissection)
• Group work on integrated directed self-education (IDSE) task
• Facilitated small and large group activities
• Technology enhanced learning

Assessment Information

At the end of the unit (in week 6 of term 1) students will sit a written/computer-based examination to test the knowledge and understanding of the material covered. Students will also complete pre- and post-practical assignments in eBioLabs and will undertake an integrated directed self education (IDSE) task, drawing upon material from all three disciplines, and involving group preparation and presentation of a poster, which will be marked and discussed in the presentation session. The unit mark will consist of 95% for the written/computer-based paper and 5% for IDSE; eBioLabs assessments are "must pass".

Students will have regular formative assessment throughout the unit with questions presented in lectures (e.g. using TurningPoint) and / or available online via Blackboard. Students will receive feedback on eBioLabs tasks and be given guidance on the IDSE task prior to the submission of summative work.

There will be opportunities to re-sit the written/computer-based examination in January and in July; a resit opportunity for eBioLabs tasks will be provided. Marks for coursework will be carried forward to the resit examination.

Students can progress to Animal Health Science 1 without passing the AHSF examination at the first attempt. However it must be passed for progression to Year 2.

Reading and References

Please refer to the central University reading list repository