VNUR20330 Veterinary Applied Pharmacology

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module focusses on the application of pharmacology in veterinary therapy, with particular emphasis on drugs used in veterinary practice in dogs, cats, cattle, sheep and horses. The module also outlines the regulations that determine how animal therapies may be legally stored, prescribed, sold, and administered to animals in the Republic of Ireland.

Although the module is geared towards Stage 2 veterinary nursing students, this module offers elective places, and may also be of interest to BAgSci or BSc students with a strong grounding in Biology.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module the student should be able to:
Apply a basic understanding of the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to clinical situations
Identify relevant Irish and European legislation affecting the use of animal remedies,
Apply the principles of safe practice in working with pharmacological hazards,
Recognise how medication errors may arise in veterinary practice; calculate dosages
Identify the correct application of specific therapeutics for the treatment of infection and inflammation, and for treatment of conditions of the different body systems in veterinary species.

Indicative Module Content:

This module commences with an overview of drug interactions on cells and in the body. This module also deals with aspects of drug dispensing including the legislation relating to animal remedies in EU and Irish legislation. The module then deals in overview with the therapeutic drugs used in veterinary medicine. Agents used in anaesthesia are covered in a different module in the veterinary nursing programme.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Tutorial

2
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

124
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is expected to be taught through blended learning and may have a substantial online component. Supporting material will be available in Brightspace. The student will also be expected to work independently to complete online assignments. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students taking this module should have taken previous courses which provide a grounding in the normal structure and function of the mammalian body.
This module may be suitable as elective for Science or Agricultural Science students who, at a minimum, have completed their first year.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: End of trimester "take-home, open-book" assignment-style examination and is therefore listed as an "Assignment". The paper will be available for a period of time to complete. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50
Assignment: Two online assignments, offered in term Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

45
Continuous Assessment: This assesses engagement with online formative MCQs. The grade will be based on engagement yes/no, 100% or zero, and not on the "grade" obtained Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

5

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be available to the student on in-term assignments within 10 working days of the submission date.

Applied Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians, 5th Edition. Authors: Boyce Wanamaker Kathy Massey.
Available as an e-book in the UCD library via Onesearch.
Name Role
Professor Alan Baird Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Niamh O'Donoghue Lecturer / Co-Lecturer