Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions (Veterinary Science) (Year 0)

Program Overview

The Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions (Veterinary Science) course is a one-year foundation program designed for mature students seeking entry into a Veterinary Science BVSc program. The program focuses on developing skills for independent study, provides patient-focused practical experience, and prepares students for a career in veterinary practice, research, or academia. This program offers a unique combination of city and rural lifestyles, with access to two farms, first-opinion practices, and referral hospitals on campus.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

A year zero foundation programme, designed for mature students who have typically been out of formal education for some time or who have taken non-traditional qualifications, which leads to access onto a Veterinary Science BVSc programme.

Introduction:

The University of Liverpool, in collaboration with local FE partners, has developed a year zero foundation programme for Home students that leads to access onto a variety of vocational Health Studies programmes. Students seeking entry to Veterinary Science will study at Carmel College, St Helens. Carmel College is located in St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus. The College offers small class sizes and high standards of academic achievement. This programme is specifically targeted at Home mature and non-traditional students, who typically have taken a break from studies.

What you'll learn:

• Skills needed for independent study at undergraduate degree level
• Undertaking a variety of learning methods and assessment tasks
• A breadth of patient-focused practical experience in a region with a particularly diverse population
• To fulfil the “Day One Competences” – a list of key skills set out by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
• The knowledge, expertise and attitudes required for a career in clinical or academic veterinary practice, business or scientific research
• Skills to become lifelong learners, committed to professional development
• Ability to meet the needs of the profession as set out in the Vet Futures report

Routes:

• Veterinary Science BVSc
Students are also introduced to a variety of learning methods, such as formal taught sessions, workshops and practical laboratory sessions, as well as a variety of assessment tasks, such as written assignments, in class data handling, written and practical examinations to provide a good grounding for vocational programmes. There are some shared modules for all students, and then route specific modules to ensure the students are prepared for their chosen undergraduate programmes.

Compulsory modules:

• BIOLOGY FOR HEALTH STUDIES 1 (HEAL001)
• Credits: 22.5 /
• Semester: semester 1
• This first semester module is part of the one year Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions programme and aims to facilitate knowledge and understanding of the basic structure and function of the mammalian body at a cellular level which is required before students study HEAL002 Biology for Health Sciences 2 in semester 2.
It is designed for all routes through the programme to include Allied Health Professions, Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dental therapy and Veterinary Science.
• It can be delivered either face to face or through a blended approach using small group e-lectures and e-tutorials based upon DoFE guidelines at the time of delivery.
Support tutorials will be offered alongside laboratory teaching sessions onsite to promote development of practical skills relevant to the biological sciences and independent learning strategies.
• The module is assessed by continuous coursework based on the practical laboratory skills and an end of semester multiple choice examination to assess knowledge of structure and function of mammalian cells.
• BIOLOGY FOR HEALTH STUDIES 2 (HEAL002)
• Credits: 22.5 /
• Semester: semester 2
• This second semester module is part of the one year Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions programme and is designed to build on the knowledge and understanding of mammalian cells developed in the semester 1 HEAL001 Biology module.
It is delivered to all students on the programme to include Allied Health professions, Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dental Therapy and Veterinary Science routes. The module can be delivered either face to face or using a blended approach with some face to face and small group e-lectures, as well as on-site tutorials to include laboratory work which develops practical skills relevant to the biological sciences and promotes independent learning strategies. The mode of delivery will depend upon DoFE guidance. The module is assessed by coursework and an end of semester written examination to assess knowledge of the systems explored.
• CHEMISTRY FOR MEDICINE/DENTISTRY 1 (HEAL008)
• Credits: 22.5 /
• Semester: semester 1
• This first semester module forms part of the Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions programme that has ten different professional routes leading to a clinical career.
HEAL008 Chemistry for Medicine & Dentistry 1 is designed specifically for students on the Medicine, Dentistry and Dental Therapy routes and facilitates their knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts associated with the subject. It prepares students for HEAL009 Chemistry for Medicine & Dentistry 2 delivered in semester 2, further study on their chosen professional degree and supports application in their clinical practice eg when prescribing medicines. The material can be delivered either face to face or through a blended approach using lectures/e-lectures, tutorial/e-tutorials and on-site practical sessions in the laboratory to develop practical skills . The delivery mode is subject to change and DoFE guidance.
• The module has two elements of assessment: on-going coursework comprised of a series of reports based upon onsite laboratory tasks, and an end of semester unseen written examination.
• CHEMISTRY FOR MEDICINE/DENTISTRY 2 (HEAL009)
• Credits: 22.5 /
• Semester: semester 2
• This second semester module forms part of the Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions programme that has ten professional routes leading to a vocational degree and a clinical career.
The module builds on HEAL008 Chemistry for Medicine and Dentistry 1 delivered in semester 1 and explores more complex chemical interactions. It is designed specifically for the Medicine, Dentistry and Dental Therapy routes.
• The module facilitates knowledge and understanding of the foundations of Chemistry and expands on the chemical concepts previously introduced, as well as introducing new more complex aspects associated with the subject.
The material can be delivered either face to face or using a blended approach through lectures/e-lectures, tutorials/e-tutorials and on-site practical sessions in the laboratory. The mode of delivery will follow DoFE guidelines in place at the start of the academic year.
• This module has two elements of assessment: on-going Coursework comprising a series of practical experiments written up as lab reports presented in a log book, and an end of semester unseen written examination .
• Credits: 20 /
• Semester: whole session
• This module is delivered as part of the Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions programme which has ten professional routes leading to a vocational degree and a clinical career.
It runs across both semester one and semester two and is designed for students taking the Veterinary Science route. It equips students with the necessary study skills, communication skills, reflective skills and facilitates knowledge and understanding of the veterinary care environment to prepare them for future clinical practice.
• It can be delivered face to face or using a blended approach through interactive on-site lectures/e-lectures, tutorials/e-tutorials and small group work using a suitable platform such as Zoom.
• Students will also attend a practical veterinary placement during semester 2 which will be recorded and assessed through an online virtual platform.
• The module has two elements of assessment: Coursework to incorporate two reflective reports and a Presentation.
• Credits: 10 /
• Semester: semester 1
• This module forms part of the Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions programme which leads to a healthcare vocational degree and a professional career.
• This semester 1 module is designed for students taking the Veterinary Science route through the programme and aims to facilitate student knowledge and understanding of basic mathematical concepts that underpin HEAL001 Biology 1, HEAL008 Chemistry 1 and HEAL009 Chemistry 2 modules in the programme.
It also supports student learning throughout their degree and into veterinary practice where maths are used on a daily basis in the care of animals.
• It can be delivered face to face or through a 50/50 blended approach through on-site small group sessions and e-tutorials using a suitable platform such as Zoom.
This will depend upon DoFE guidance at the time of delivery.
• It is assessed through Coursework consisting of mathematical problems based on the course topics and an end of semester unseen Written Exam.
The exam can be managed either on site or remotely using the University of Liverpool electronic platforms.

Assessment:

• BIOLOGY FOR HEALTH STUDIES 1 (HEAL001)
• Continuous coursework based on the practical laboratory skills and an end of semester multiple choice examination to assess knowledge of structure and function of mammalian cells.
• BIOLOGY FOR HEALTH STUDIES 2 (HEAL002)
• Coursework and an end of semester written examination to assess knowledge of the systems explored.
• CHEMISTRY FOR MEDICINE/DENTISTRY 1 (HEAL008)
• On-going coursework comprised of a series of reports based upon onsite laboratory tasks, and an end of semester unseen written examination.
• CHEMISTRY FOR MEDICINE/DENTISTRY 2 (HEAL009)
• On-going Coursework comprising a series of practical experiments written up as lab reports presented in a log book, and an end of semester unseen written examination .
• Coursework to incorporate two reflective reports and a Presentation.
• Coursework consisting of mathematical problems based on the course topics and an end of semester unseen Written Exam.

Teaching:

• There is a combination of problem-based learning, didactic teaching and small-group practical classes allowing students to develop lifelong learning techniques.
• The School of Health Sciences draws on over 100 years of teaching delivered by dedicated staff with real-world, practical experience.
We are a hub for an extensive network of professionals, academics and researchers, so you can be confident that a degree from us will prepare you for a lifelong career in healthcare services.
• Liverpool Hallmarks
• We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.

Careers:

• Studying this degree will prepare you for a wide range of careers in animal sciences and the vast majority of veterinary students find employment within six months of graduation.
• Most newly qualified vets choose to work in private veterinary practices but many graduates find work in:
• Laboratories
• Animal charities
• The public health sector
• Research
• Higher degrees like PhDs, or further studies in particular veterinary specialities.
• Veterinary Science MSc
• Veterinary Science PhD/MPhil/DVSc
• Bovine Reproduction DBR
• RCVS/Certificate in Advance Veterinary Practice.
We’re distinct in the UK in that we have two farms, alongside three first-opinion practices and two referral hospitals on campus meaning you can get real experience of all aspects of veterinary practice: equine, large animal, and small animal.
• From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
• Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
• Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) Full-time place, per year £9,250 Foundation year fee £7,500 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £1,385 International fees This course is not available to international students.