EDIVET: Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian?

The University of Edinburgh via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/becoming-a-veterinarian

Introduction

### Course Review: EDIVET - Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Veterinarian? If you have ever considered a career in veterinary medicine or simply have a passion for animals, the Coursera course **"EDIVET: Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Veterinarian?"** offers a fascinating glimpse into what it takes to become a veterinarian. Developed by the University of Edinburgh, this engaging course is a perfect starting point for anyone looking to explore the various aspects of veterinary studies. #### Course Overview EDIVET is designed as a “taster” course, providing prospective veterinary students and animal enthusiasts with an overview of the key subjects encountered in the first year of a veterinary degree. It encapsulates the essence of veterinary medicine, weaving together both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, while also offering insights into the profession's history and future. #### Course Syllabus Highlights The course is structured into five distinct weeks, each focusing on essential areas of veterinary medicine: 1. **Basic Animal Care**: Led by Kay Aitchison, this introductory week covers fundamental animal care principles. It equips students with vital knowledge about the responsibilities involved in caring for animals, establishing a solid foundation for the rest of the course. 2. **An Introduction to Body Systems Anatomy**: In the second week, Professor Susan Rhind and Dr. Gurå Therese Bergkvist lead participants through the anatomy of various body systems. This week kicks off with an engaging overview reading, followed by segmented core materials, making complex anatomical concepts more digestible. 3. **Veterinary Professional Skills**: The focus shifts to essential skills for practicing veterinarians, led by Rachel Whittington and Dr. Jessie Paterson, along with guest contributor Stacy Spielman. This week emphasizes the non-technical skills necessary for successful veterinary practice, including communication and ethical considerations. 4. **An Introduction to Clinical Skills**: Catriona Bell and Caroline Mosley guide students through the practical aspects of veterinary clinical skills. This week prepares learners for the hands-on elements of veterinary training, from examining animals to understanding treatment protocols. 5. **The Past, Present, and Future of Veterinary Medicine**: The final week, led by Andrew Gardiner along with various contributors, delves into the historical evolution of veterinary medicine. This reflective overview not only acknowledges the field's origins but also speculates on its future directions. #### Learning Experience The course format is intuitive, allowing learners to progress at their own pace through each week’s overview and core materials. The teaching team's expertise ensures that content is not only informative but also relevant and engaging. Each week, the blend of video lectures, readings, and practical exercises fosters a rich learning environment that caters to different learning styles. #### Why You Should Take This Course 1. **Comprehensive Introduction**: Whether you are a high school student contemplating your future or an adult considering a career change, this course provides a well-rounded introduction to veterinary medicine that can help guide your next steps. 2. **Expert Instructors**: With a team of talented professionals from the University of Edinburgh, students benefit from high-quality education that boasts both academic rigor and real-world relevance. 3. **Flexible Learning**: The course is self-paced, making it accessible for anyone to fit into their schedule. You can revisit content as needed, ensuring a thorough understanding of each topic. 4. **Invaluable Insights**: Beyond just technical knowledge, the course introduces the softer skills essential for a successful career in veterinary medicine, preparing you for real-world challenges. 5. **Discussion and Interaction**: Engaging with fellow learners through forums and discussions encourages a community learning environment, allowing you to share insights and experiences related to veterinary care. #### Conclusion In summary, **"EDIVET: Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Veterinarian?"** is an exceptional entry-level course for anyone considering a career in veterinary medicine or desiring to learn more about animal care. Its informative content, expert guidance, and flexible learning format make it highly recommendable. Whether you are merely curious or seriously contemplating a career as a veterinarian, this course is a must-take for your academic journey. Enroll today and take the first step towards uncovering the possibilities within the world of veterinary medicine!

Syllabus

Course Information

Please read through the components of this section before starting on the actual course content. Enjoy the course!

Basic Animal Care

In this week, led by Kay Aitchison, we will be looking at animal care. We recommend that you start with the overview reading under the week 1 overview and then work through the core materials. We hope you enjoy the week.

An Introduction to Body Systems Anatomy

In this week, we will look at the anatomy of the body, and the teaching team to guide you through this part of the course are Professor Susan Rhind and Dr Gurå Therese Bergkvist. We recommend that you start with the overview reading under the week 2 overview. For this week we have split the core materials into four sections that we suggest you work through in the order presented.

Veterinary Professional Skills

In this week, we will be looking at Veterinary Professional Skills, and the teaching team to guide you through this part of the course are Rachel Whittington and Dr Jessie Paterson. We are also joined in one of the videos by our colleague Stacy Spielman. We hope you are enjoying the course so far and once again we suggest you start with the week 3 overview and then working through the core materials section.

An Introduction to Clinical Skills

In this week, we will be introducing you to Veterinary Clinical Skills, led by Catriona Bell and assisted by Caroline Mosley. We are also joined in one of the videos by our colleague Neil Hudson. Again please start with the week 4 overview and then work through the core materials as presented.

The Past, Present and Future of Veterinary Medicine

Our final week is led by Andrew Gardiner and he is joined by a number of colleagues including some from our Library here at Edinburgh. This week we turn our attention to the topic of Veterinary History and again we recommend you start with the week 5 overview before working through the core materials. Enjoy our final week.

Overview

This course is for anyone interested in learning more about Veterinary Medicine, giving a “taster” of courses covered in the first year of a veterinary degree and an idea of what it is like to study Veterinary Medicine.

Skills

Animal Vital Signs Veterinary Medicine

Reviews

It is great course that you can learn from. I was in the middle of a pandemic and also preparing to do mocks but I was still able to complete the course because it is flexible.

Very informative and highly detailed course that masterfully encompasses the core aspects of veterinary medicine in a concise overview, which I personally found very enjoyable!

The course has been really fascinating and interesting, covering a variety of aspects in the veterinary profession. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone thinking of becoming a vet in the future.

If you are wondering if you want to become a vet or if you only want to learn the base of the veterinarian profession, I greatly recommend this course. I never got bored during this course.

This really helped me to understand what it takes to be a vet and how a veterinary student's life is like. I really enjoyed the course, I found it educational and fascinating.