Veterinary Medicine (integrated studies BA and MA)

Veterinary Medicine (integrated studies BA and MA)

Estonian University of Life Sciences is one of the universitiesies in the Baltic countries accredited by the EAEVE (European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education) providing full-time six-year education in the field of veterinary medicine.

Practical training, which is crucial to all veterinarians, takes place in the Animal Clinic of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, located conveniently in the university campus. Completion of the study program provides a qualification corresponding to the MSc. In the sixth year, the student can focus on one of the two main tracks: large animal and equine medicine or small-animal medicine.

Estonian University of Life Sciences is a Member of International Veterinary Student´s Association.

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
• 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.