Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary studies can be divided into three periods:

In the first years the students study the foundations of veterinary medicine, anatomy and functions of animals as well as the fundamentals of animal husbandry. Several branches of biology, zoology, botany, genetics and cell biology as well as chemistry, biophysics, microbiology, virology and parasitology can be considered the foundation of veterinary studies.

In the spring semester of the second year students are taught diseases in animals, they take up pathological anatomy and physiology, which constitutes an introduction to the second period of the veterinary studies. Pre clinical studies give the student an insight into the processes going on in the organism of the diseased animal, as well as elementary skills in disease detection.

The second phase concentrates on the relations between human and animal health and an introduction into the public health issues is made.

In the third phase or clinical studies lecturers communicate students profound knowledge on the most common diseases of different animal species (including birds and fish) with an empahis on their diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Practical training takes place in the animal clinic of Estonian University of Life Sciences. Students also gain extensive knowledge of veterinary public health, veterinary legislation and state veterinary control system.

Students also gain extensive knowledge of veterinary public health, veterinary legislation and state veterinary control system.

In the sixth year the student can focus on one of the three main tracks: large animal and equine medicine or small-animal medicine.

After completing the curriculum, the graduates will be expected to:

• have theoretical knowledge of the basics of animal health, including knowledge of animal anatomy, the structure and functions of organisms, the behaviour of animals, the basics of animal husbandry, breeding and nutrition, and the technologies of feed production and storage; know the terminology in Latin;
• know and follow the principles of animal welfare and animal protection;
• know the changes in the function of the animal organism as a result of more frequent diseases and be able to place this knowledge in the clinical context, know the causes, nature, course, and pathogenesis of the main diseases occurring in animals, including those which can be transmitted to humans; have the clinical skills required to diagnose, treat and prevent animal diseases; be able to communicate in veterinary matters with the animal owner and the general public;
• be familiar with the requirements of food hygiene, food and feed safety and surveillance;
• be familiar with professional ethics and legislation;
• be able to carry out independent research: process data, evaluate and analyze the obtained results, argue, explain and discuss theories, questions, and conclusions related to their specialty, both in speech and in writing, and participate in discussions with specialists and non-specialists;
• be ready to work as a veterinarian in an animal clinic, as a specialist in state offices, as a lecturer at a university; be able to continue studies at the doctoral level or in an internship or residency abroad, be able to develop their specialty, incl. abroad;
• be able to assess their personal professional development and the need for continuing education.

Veterinary Medicine curriculum is intended to enable students to acquire adequate knowledge and sufficient clinical skills and other practical experience, enabling graduates to work successfully in different areas of activity requiring veterinary education:

• in large and small animal veterinary practice, in government service (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Department, Veterinary and Food Board and State Agency of Medicines);
• in veterinary institutions of the European Union or in the international veterinary organizations (OIE, FAO);
• in animal disease diagnostic and food laboratories (Veterinary and Food Laboratory);
• in companies manufacturing and marketing veterinary medicines; and
• in veterinary research and educational institutions in Estonia or in other countries.