Studies

The teaching activities of the Department of Production Animal Medicine are guided by the departmental manual of teaching whereas its clinical teaching draws on the manual of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The Department employs a part-time supervising teacher, Eeva Mustonen. Teachers usually hold two staff meetings per term.

Veterinary students come into contact with the Department of Production Animal Medicine for the first time during the autumn term of their second year of studies, when the Department offers the following two consecutive courses Eläinten pidon perusteet, etologia ja eläinsuojelu (Basics of animal management, ethology and animal protection) and Eläinten kliininen ravitsemustiede (Animal clinical nutrition), both of which, besides including lectures, comprise independent study as well as excursions. During the break between teaching periods in the same autumn, students complete a practical training period on a farm. For fourth-year students, the Department offers the courses Kotieläinten lisääntyminen (Reproduction of domestic animals) and Kotieläinten terveyden- ja sairaanhoito (Domestic animal medicine) in uninterrupted seven-week periods during the spring term.

The entire fifth year of studies is reserved for clinical studies. The Saari Clinic is included in the clinical rotation, which consists of three-week periods. Each student must spend at least three periods at the Saari Clinic; a fourth period, however, is optional. In addition to the treatment of out-patients and hospitalised patients and making sick calls, the teaching programme integrates demonstrations and practical exercises in reproduction and domestic animal medicine.

The Department of Production Animal Medicine offers several alternative courses. The first such course is on bovine artificial insemination for students who have completed their first-year studies, followed by advanced courses in animal welfare and protection for second-year students who have completed the basic course in animal management and welfare. Students may choose other alternative courses towards the end of their studies, and many courses are also open to practising veterinary surgeons participating in continuing education (for a fee).

Each student specialising in production animal medicine will be assigned a supervisor and the personal study plan will be approved by the departmental steering group. The Department has two positions for veterinary specialists in training.

The Faculty Council approves personal study plans as well as the appointments of directors of studies and the assignment of supervisors for doctoral students. Doctoral studies take some five years.