Diploma in Bovine Reproduction

Program Overview

This two-year part-time Diploma in Bovine Reproduction provides postgraduate veterinary education in bovine reproduction health. It focuses on the study of reproduction in cattle, including aspects of nutrition, genetics, and disease. The program is recognized by both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the European College of Animal Reproduction and is delivered primarily at the Leahurst campus in Cheshire, which features two farms, two referral hospitals, and veterinary practices.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This two-year, part-time Diploma in Bovine Reproduction provides postgraduate veterinary education in bovine reproduction health and is recognized by both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the European College of Animal Reproduction.

Objectives:

• Gain a widely-based and deep understanding of bovine reproduction.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of herd management and monitoring of fertility in cattle.
• Understand the principles of genetic selection for breeding purposes.
• Analyze and diagnose the causes of infertility in herds.
• Understand legislation as applied to the health, management, and welfare of cattle and food production in the UK.

Outline:

Year One:

• The program is structured around the reproductive cycle of the cow with modules focusing on a key period in the cycle or factor affecting fertility.
• Each module comprises a residential week, with pre-week guided reading and access to speaker presentations.
• All modules are mandatory and taken in sequence as they follow a logical build accumulation of knowledge and skills that follows the reproduction cycle of cattle.
• Your dissertation will run over the full two years to allow data collection within the working period and will usually involve testing a hypothesis directly relevant to the clinical decision that you will need to make.
You will receive guidance on literature searching, critical review of literature, study design, statistics, research ethics and the Animal Scientific Procedures Act.

Compulsory Modules:

• The non-pregnant cow (DBRM611): This module is designed for master level veterinary graduates in clinical cattle practice to give up-to-date information regarding the endocrine control of reproduction in the non-pregnant beef and dairy cow and a systematic approach to evaluating fertility on beef and dairy herds.
Assessment is via a fertility report for a beef and dairy farm, contribution to discussions and a MCQ.
• NUTRITION AND FERTILITY (DBRM612): To give a comprehensive scientific and theoretical background with which participants will be able to assess and enhance their knowledge concerning nutrition of mammals.
• To introduce candidates to new practical and communication skills while developing an enthusiastic approach to reproductive problems and research. • To produce postgraduates capable of an advanced level of veterinary/mammalian nutrition to meet market demand.
• POST-PARTUM COW (DBRM613): This module is designed for master level veterinary graduates in clinical cattle practice to give up-to-date information regarding the physiology and pathophysiology of the reproductive system in the post-partum beef and dairy cow.
Assessment is via a fertility report for a beef and dairy farm, contribution to discussions and a MCQ.
• THE BULL (DBRM614): This module is designed for Masters level veterinary graduates in clinical cattle practice to provide up-to-date information on physiology and pathophysiology of the male reproductive system in cattle.
Assessment is via i) Report clinical examination of bulls ii) Practical assessment of semen samples, iii) contribution to discussions and iv) a MCQ.
• GENETICS OF CATTLE (DBRM615): This module is designed for Masters level veterinary graduates in clinical cattle practice to provide up-to-date information on genetic assessment and selection of cattle.
This includes the underlying science and recent developments including genomic selection. Assessment is via i) a technical report on the cost/benefit of pregnancy diagnosis in cattle and subsequent advice /decisions. ii) Report on findings of 10 cows using different methods of pregnancy diagnosis, iii) contribution to discussions and iv) a MCQ. Assessment is via i) Report of postmortem findings of two cases or perinatal mortality ii) Reflective portfolio of 5 cases of dystocia, iii) contribution to discussions and iv) a MCQ.
• THE FUTURE OF CATTLE REPRODUCTION (DBRM618): This module is designed for Masters level veterinary graduates in clinical cattle practice to provide up-to-date information on recent advances in reproductive technologies, farm economics, management of heifers (young female animals) and business models for moving into consultancy work once graduated.
• DBR Research Dissertation (DBRM621): To introduce candidates to the skills of formulating a hypothesis, study design, research ethics, data gathering, analysis and presentation of findings in writing and orally.
Critical review and survey of peer-reviewed literature will be introduced. Students in completing their dissertation will, with the support of their supervisor, carry out a study demonstrating the application of knowledge and a critical understanding of how professional knowledge and practice is advanced through research.

Year Two:

• Again, each module comprises a residential week, with pre-week guided reading and access to speaker presentations.
• Each residential week is a blend of plenary lectures from international speakers followed by timetabled discussion time led by the speaker, and practical sessions/visits putting the lecture in clinical context.
Assessment is via i) a technical report on the cost/benefit of pregnancy diagnosis in cattle and subsequent advice /decisions. ii) Report on findings of 10 cows using different methods of pregnancy diagnosis, iii) contribution to discussions and iv) a MCQ. Assessment is via i) Report of postmortem findings of two cases or perinatal mortality ii) Reflective portfolio of 5 cases of dystocia, iii) contribution to discussions and iv) a MCQ.
• THE FUTURE OF CATTLE REPRODUCTION (DBRM618): This module is designed for Masters level veterinary graduates in clinical cattle practice to provide up-to-date information on recent advances in reproductive technologies, farm economics, management of heifers (young female animals) and business models for moving into consultancy work once graduated.
• DBR Research Dissertation (DBRM621): To introduce candidates to the skills of formulating a hypothesis, study design, research ethics, data gathering, analysis and presentation of findings in writing and orally.
Critical review and survey of peer-reviewed literature will be introduced. Students in completing their dissertation will, with the support of their supervisor, carry out a study demonstrating the application of knowledge and a critical understanding of how professional knowledge and practice is advanced through research.

Assessment:

• For each module, you'll be assessed via participation in discussion sessions throughout the lecture period and multiple choice questions during the lecture period.
• Report-essay writing appropriate to each module.
• Oral examinations will take place over the two years on your final dissertation study design, literature review and major findings from the research project.

Teaching:

• You will be taught through lectures, demonstrations, videos, practical work, discussions, field visits and directed reading.
• Teaching by University staff and invited external contributors, each a recognized authority in a specialized field.

Careers:

• Most Veterinary Science graduates are employed in general practice, however graduates are increasingly tending to specialize in particular areas of farm or companion animal practice, and continue their professional development by studying for postgraduate certificates and diplomas awarded by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and at European level.
• As well as working in general practice, veterinary science graduates also work in veterinary and medical schools, medical research institutes and those institutes that deal expressly with animal health and disease.
• Some go into research at either universities or research institutes, or go into industry, animal charities (e.g.
• While studying you must be able to maintain an involvement in bovine fertility work throughout the duration of the programme and carry out regular fertility work in at least three cattle herds, each of reasonable size.
Consideration may be given to candidates with less than five years’ experience who have sufficient farm animal experience.
• The Diploma in Bovine Reproduction is a qualification recognized by both Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and European College of Animal Reproduction (ECAR).
You’re getting full experience with the herds, and utilizing your RCVS competencies from day one.
• Ranked consistently amongst the top Veterinary Schools in the world.
• Two on-site working farms, two referral hospitals, three first opinion practices.
• Top ranked Veterinary School for research in REF2021.
• Liverpool University Veterinary Society is the largest student society with a variety of special interest sub-societies.
• Access to Virtual Learning Environment as well as residential schools and clinical placements.

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Part-time place, per year £6,100

International fees

Part-time place, per year £12,800 The listed fee totals are inclusive of bench fees (£1550 per year of study - equalling £3100 in total). Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. You can pay your tuition fees in instalments. All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship. International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.