The first two years of the degree programme focus on describing the healthy animal, through highly integrated courses dedicated to different anatomical and physiological systems, as well as the general principles of the other basic veterinary sciences. Students also receive training in transversal competences and soft skills. These acquired transversal and soft skills are functional to embrace the correct approach and attitude to the degree but will also be fundamental in the student’ future didactic endeavours and in the post-graduate period. Focusing on personal and professional growth for future Veterinarians is a fundamental element of this new curriculum, making it highly innovative in both national and international academic contexts.
The third year is entirely dedicated to farm animals, embracing the ‘from farm to fork’ approach in courses that integrate elements of animal husbandry, animal welfare, nutrition, reproduction, pathology and clinics. In parallel, students acquire skills in infectious diseases of farm animals, in veterinary public health, epidemiology and food hygiene and safety, thereby completing their training in the farm animal husbandry domain.
The fourth year focuses on the clinic of companion animals, through integrated courses that, for each species and following the evidence-based approach, present the aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and clinical practice of the main medical, surgical, reproductive pathologies and infectious diseases. An innovative course on emergency medicine and intensive care for different species, along with a course on the fundamentals of research in science, will complete the didactic path common to all students. The latter course will provide the necessary skills to design, execute and interpret research in the veterinary field, using statistical tools and reviewing scientific literature, preparing the students for the final year.
The fifth year includes elective didactic activities that allow students to customise the final part of their training, through elective courses, elective practical training and the thesis project, which can be carried out either within or outside the Department. In parallel, the degree programme includes core practical training, which includes activities carried out in small groups on a rotating basis both in the Department's facilities and in contracted external facilities, culminating in a practical assessment of the professional skills acquired. Finally, the student faces the final examination, where they defend their thesis.
The complete course structure diagram will be available as soon as possible.
