Veterinary Bioscience (with Placement) BSc (Hons)

This course is for those who enjoy studying science and finding out how scientific principles can be used to prevent disease and improve the health of animals. Then this four-year course could be the right choice for you. It is a highly vocational course where the underpinning sciences are relevant and useful. So time spent in the laboratory will be balanced with the study of live animals. Basic health sciences such as anatomy, physiology, immunology, nutrition and molecular biology are studied as are the sciences of animal disease – epidemiology, microbiology, parasitology, and pharmacology.

Work placement

The one-year work placement allows you to put theory into practice, tackling real world situations and problems. We will help you to find a placement that suits your career aspirations and when you graduate you will do so with an enviable combination of education and experience.

Recent placements have included veterinary pharmaceutical companies, local authority animal health departments, research facilities, zoos and wildlife parks, veterinary practices, and commercial livestock farms.

Teaching and learning

Lectures are complemented by tutorials, visits and practical classes. Depending on the module, practicals may take the form of laboratory work, behaviour/welfare assessments or animal handling in the Companion Animal House or on the University Farm.

Assessment methods

A wide range of assessment methods are used. Depending on the module these include examination, assignments, practical spot-tests and presentations.

Careers

The grounding provided in both science and applied animal studies also opens up opportunities in many areas of research. It is important to realise that by studying this course you will not qualify as a vet (i.e. you can’t diagnose and treat animals) but there are opportunities to work alongside vets and other scientists in the veterinary pharmaceutical companies that produce animal health products as well as in the animal nutrition or biotechnology industries. Some graduates have gone on to study at veterinary school to eventually qualify as a veterinary surgeon. You would also be well qualified to work as an animal health inspector for a local authority or Defra.