Anatomy, physiology, metabolism, radiology and nutrition.

The course consists of 3 blocks:

The locomotor system

Anatomy, physiology, radiology

The digestive system

Anatomy, physiology, metabolism, nutrition, radiology

Circulation, respiration and urinary organs

Anatomy, physiology, radiology

The course will provide students with knowledge about the structure and function of animal species with relevance to veterinary medicine and their physiological, metabolic and nutritional needs.

Species in which knowledge is expected are sports- and companion animals, including dogs, cats, horses and exotics, and production animals such as ruminants, pigs, poultry and salmonids.

Mammals, birds and fish are taught comparatively.

Learning outcomes consist of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge: After completing the teaching, the student should be able to

- Give an account of the embryology of the organ systems, and describe and explain comparative aspects, structure (macro and micro), topography, function at molecular, cell and organ level, and relation to other organ systems.

- Understand and be able to explain the significance of the anatomical structure of these organ systems for organ function.

- Name structures and organs as they appear with imaging methods.

Skills: After completing the teaching, the student should be able to

- identify the organ systems including their substructures and tissues, in animals the student has dissected themselves, in specimens and in digital histological images.

- Identify accessible parts of the organ systems including their substructures in living animals of different ages using both inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion and imaging methods (X-ray, CT, ultrasound, etc.), as well as locate areas for percutaneous sampling and intervention.

- Relate to live animals, perform dissections and use basic laboratory equipment and methods related to organ systems, all in accordance with HSE requirements learned in the vertebrate animals course (VET 351).

- Collaborate on seeking and applying knowledge to solve case tasks related to the relevant organ systems, and discuss and present their contribution to the group work in group/plenary sessions using professional terms.

For the digestive system:

- Recognize normal color, consistency and pH in rumen juice sample from the healthy cow, as well as identify bacteria and protozoa by microscopic examination.

- Use knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, including nutrient uptake, metabolism and energy balance, to be able to show an understanding of animals and their need for adequate nutrition.

For the circulation, respiration or urinary organs:

- Evaluate simple blood gas analyzes and recognize simple ECG patterns.

General competence: After completing the teaching, the student should be able to

- Reflect on / assess own level of knowledge and skill level in relation to the learning outcome, including identification of own professional strengths and weaknesses.

General rules:

Parts of the teaching require compulsory attendance. Only alternative arrangements are offered in the event of documented valid absence to the extent that it is considered academically justifiable. In the event of extensive valid absence, it may nevertheless mean that the course must be taken again next year, even if the absence is valid. The student is then not allowed to continue to paraclinical courses.

In the event of invalid absence, the student may not continue to paraclinical courses.

To start paraclinical courses, compulsory activities must be approved if no dispensation has been granted for a postponed repetition of compulsory teaching. An academic assessment, together with the extent of absence, is used as the basis for the decision, and the decision can thus not be appealed against, with the exception of formal errors.

The course will not be passed until an alternative program or repetition has been academically approved and the exam has been passed.

Rules for documented valid absence:

All laboratory courses in physiology, histology and metabolism are compulsory. Dissection courses in anatomy are compulsory. Clinical exercises including exercises with live animals and exercises with radiology and ultrasound are compulsory. Participation in an excursion in nutrition is compulsory. Further information on rules for documented valid absence is provided on Canvas and in Timeedit.

In the case of group work (including case), the student must participate in the compulsory presentation day for group work. 

At the end of each Block, a practical test/station test can be arranged in anatomy. See detailed regulations in Canvas.

All testing and course reporting in each organ block must be approved or passed before the student is eligible for the final examination. Further information is provided on Canvas and in Timeedit.

In the event of major absences, the course must be taken again.

The course will consist of two (2) part examinations during the examination period, each of which is given a character grade.

One part examination has questions from metabolism and nutrition, the other part examination has questions from anatomy and physiology from all the organ blocks. It is possible to fail an individual part examination, but there will be a common character grade for the course.

Part examination 1 (Metabolism and nutrition):

Examination form: Written with different types of questions.

Examination at the end of the second semester.

Duration: 2 hours.

Permitted aids: calculator distributed.

Assessment Part examination 1: Graded grades A-F. Students who fail (F) go up to the continuation examination (August)

Part examination 2 (Anatomy and physiology): Written.

Examination form: Written with different types of questions.

Examination at the end of the second semester.

Duration: 4 hours.

Permitted aids: Distributed calculator.

Assessment Part examination 2: Graded grades A-F. Students who fail (F) go up to the continuation examination (August).

Assessment of the course: Graded grades A-F where Part examination 1 (Metabolism and nutrition) contributes 33% and Part examination 2 (anatomy and physiology) contributes 67% to the final grade character.