VET SC 3516RW - Vet Epi, Biosecurity, & Evidence-Based Med III

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course promotes the approach of evidence-based practice in veterinary medicine and the production of scientifically sound evidence to support clinical activities. Basic skills to utilise scientific evidence in practice are taught including: searching, sourcing, assessing, and applying clinical literature. The assessment and application of the evidence will be enhanced by the introduction to basic veterinary epidemiology concepts (i.e. population health management) and the fundamental comprehension of building clinical evidence (i.e. clinical research skills). The development of population-based health protocols will be completed by training in veterinary biosecurity.

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Course Details

Course Code	VET SC 3516RW
Course	Vet Epi, Biosecurity, & Evidence-Based Med III
Coordinating Unit	School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	Roseworthy Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Prerequisites	STATS 1504 & VET SC 2500RW
Restrictions	Available to B.Science (Veterinary Bioscience) students only
Assessment	Weekly quizzes, assignment, exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Charles Caraguel

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Be able to assimilate the structured approach of evidence-based veterinary medicine
2	Demonstrate a comprehension of basic veterinary epidemiology concepts: causal inference, disease frequency, measures of association and effect, sampling a population, selection, information & confounding bias, decision tree analysis.
3	Demonstrate an understanding of basic clinical research skills and their application: hypothesis building, study designs, ethical and legal considerations, sample size calculation, funding and time management, project proposal, writing scientific papers
4	Demonstrate an understanding of basic veterinary biosecurity strategies and procedures

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1, 2, 3, 4
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1, 2
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1, 2, 3, 4
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1, 2, 3, 4
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1, 2, 3
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1, 2, 3, 4
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1, 2, 3, 4

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

3hrs of lectures, 1 hr of tutorials and 2hrs of practicals/workshops per week

Students will have required pre-reading each week that will form the basis of the weekly quiz

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g.,
lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

Veterinary epidemiology
· Descriptive epidemiology
· Causation inference
· Disease frequency
· Measure of Association
· Measure of effect
· Diagnostic test accuracy
· Diagnostic test interpretation
· Diagnostic test strategies
· Sampling a population
· Study bias

Evidence Based Veterinary Medicine
· Ask a clinical question
· Access the evidence
· Assess the evidence
· Apply the evidence
· Audit the process

Clinical research Skills
· Ethical and legal considerations
· Establishing a hypothesis
· Experimental design
· Sample size calculation
· Designing questionnaires
· Writing scientific papers
· Research proposals

Veterinary Biosecurity
· Biosecurity context and implementation at the international level (across countries)
· Biosecurity context and implementation at the national level (across states)
· Biosecurity context and implementation at the local level (across premises)

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	HURDLE	Learning Outcome
EBVM Assignment	Summative	25%	No	1
Research Project Proposal	Summative	25%	Yes	1, 2, 3
Exam	Summative	50%	Yes	2, 3, 4

Assessment Related Requirements

HURDLES: To pass this course students must attain:

1. A minimum of 50% on the Research Project Proposal
a. Students must attain a minimum of 40% on the project proposal to be eligible for additional assessment in the form of a resubmission of the proposal

2. A minimum of 50% on the final exam
a. Students must attain a minimum of 40% on the final exam to be eligible for an additional examination which will be in the form of an oral examination

Assessment Detail

Assignments (50% of the final grade).
1. Students will undertake a critical review of previously published material based on a clinical context (Evidence Based Veterinary Medicine Assignment; worth 25%). The review will be structured around a series of short answer questions.

2. Students will develop a research proposal on a provided topic (Research Project Proposal; worth 25%). The proposal will be 2500 words.

Exam (50% of the final grade).
Students will undertake a 3 hr written exam at the end of semester. The exam will cover all aspects of the course. Questions may include a combination of MCQ, short answer and long answer questions.

Submission

No information currently available.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator