University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine Self
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University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine Self-Evaluation Report Prepared for the joint visit of The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and The European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education 1 List of Visitors Professor Susan Rhind University of Edinburgh, Chair Mr David Wadsworth RCVS Dr Katharina Stärk Spallek RCVS Professor Laslo Fodor EAEVE Dr Pierre Lekeux EAEVE Co-ordinator Professor John Elmerdahl EAEVE Professor Norman Williamson Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Miss Hannelore De Porte EAEVE-nominated student Mrs Clare Tapsfield-Wright RCVS observer Professor Vinny Naidoo South African Veterinary Council observer Mrs Freda Andrews RCVS staff Mrs Christine Warman RCVS staff 2 CONTENTS List of Visitors ............................................................................................................. 2 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 5 CHAPTER 1 OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................... 11 1.1 Factual information and overall objectives ................................................... 11 1.2 Comments ................................................................................................... 15 1.3 Suggestions ................................................................................................. 16 CHAPTER 2 ORGANISATION ................................................................................ 17 2.1 Factual information ...................................................................................... 17 2.2 Comments ................................................................................................... 19 2.3 Suggestions ................................................................................................. 19 CHAPTER 3 FINANCES ......................................................................................... 20 3.1 Factual information ...................................................................................... 20 3.2 Comments ................................................................................................... 28 3.3 Suggestions ................................................................................................. 29 CHAPTER 4 CURRICULUM ................................................................................... 30 4.1 Factual information ...................................................................................... 30 4.2 Comments ................................................................................................... 61 4.3 Suggestions ................................................................................................. 63 CHAPTER 5 TEACHING, QUALITY AND EVALUATION ....................................... 64 5.1 Factual information ...................................................................................... 64 5.2 Comments ................................................................................................... 81 5.3 Suggestions ................................................................................................. 83 CHAPTER 6 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT ......................................................... 84 6.1 Factual information ...................................................................................... 84 6.2 Comments ................................................................................................... 89 6.3 Suggestions ................................................................................................. 90 CHAPTER 7 ANIMALS AND TEACHING MATERIAL OF ANIMAL ORIGIN ........... 91 7.1 Factual information ...................................................................................... 91 7.2 Comments ................................................................................................. 103 7.3 Suggestions ............................................................................................... 105 CHAPTER 8 LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES ...................................... 106 8.1 Factual information .................................................................................... 106 8.2 Comments ................................................................................................. 112 3 8.3 Suggestions ............................................................................................... 113 CHAPTER 9 ADMISSION AND ENROLMENT ..................................................... 114 9.1 Undergraduate courses ............................................................................. 114 9.2 Comments ................................................................................................. 119 9.3 Suggestions ............................................................................................... 122 CHAPTER 10 ACADEMIC AND SUPPORT STAFF ............................................. 123 10.1 Factual Information .................................................................................. 123 10.2 Comments ............................................................................................... 127 10.3 Suggestions ............................................................................................. 129 CHAPTER 11 CONTINUING EDUCATION .......................................................... 130 11.1 Factual information .................................................................................. 130 11.2 Comments ............................................................................................... 132 11.3 Suggestions ............................................................................................. 132 CHAPTER 12 POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION ................................................... 133 12.1 Factual information .................................................................................. 133 12.2 Comments ............................................................................................... 136 12.3 Suggestions ............................................................................................. 138 CHAPTER 13 RESEARCH ................................................................................... 139 13.1 Factual information .................................................................................. 139 13.2 Comments ............................................................................................... 139 13.3 Suggestions ............................................................................................. 142 CHAPTER 14 EXTRA MURAL STUDIES ............................................................. 143 14.1 Factual information .................................................................................. 143 14.2 Comments ............................................................................................... 147 14.3 Suggestions ............................................................................................. 148 Appendix 1: Learning & teaching quality update, 2013-14 ..................................... 149 Appendix 2: Learning and teaching review of the Department of Veterinary Medicine ............................................................................................................................... 158 Appendix 3: Cambridge Course Overview ............................................................. 176 Appendix 4: Clinical Staff in Department of Veterinary Medicine ........................... 182 4 INTRODUCTION The University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine (the Department) is unique amongst the UK Veterinary Schools in providing a six-year undergraduate course. In the first two preclinical years of the course (Years 1 and 2), students study for the Medical and Veterinary Sciences Tripos Part IA and Part IB, and sit both University (Tripos) examinations and veterinary qualifying examinations (2nd Vet MB examinations). In the third preclinical year (Year 3), students study a Tripos Part II in a subject of their choice, and upon successful completion of the Part II Tripos examinations are awarded a BA (Hons) degree. This is followed by the three-year clinical course (Years 4, 5 and 6), and successful completion of the examinations for the clinical course (Final Vet MB examinations) leads to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Vet MB). The preclinical veterinary course in Years 1 and 2 is provided by a number of Departments in the Faculty of Biology, and clinical education in Years 4, 5 and 6 is provided by the Department of Veterinary Medicine, and both parts of the course are under the oversight of the Veterinary Education Committee. The preclinical and clinical sections of the course are complementary, and are closely managed and monitored in order to provide a co-ordinated and objective-driven veterinary education consistent with requirements for day one competences and for registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The last Visitation to the Department by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and EAEVE took place in 2008. Since that time, the course has been evaluated by the University’s General Board by a Learning and Teaching Review in 2013. Organisational changes The period since 2008 has continued to be one of refinement and improvement in the management, content and delivery of the course. The general organisational structure for veterinary