Animal & Veterinary Biology (VETS1060)

Course overview

An overview of the diversity of living organisms with emphasis on relevance to the study of animal and veterinary science, leading to an introduction to the form and function of vertebrate body systems.

The course will provide students with a solid grounding in concepts of animal biology and the origins, natural selection and diversity of these organisms. The course will give an introduction to the study of the comparative development and reproduction of animals and evolution of their body plans. Major concepts include studies of animal interaction with humans, including domestication of animals, use of animals as models, selective breeding and transgenics as well as studies of animals in their natural environment.ﾠ

Course requirements

Assumed background

English, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C), to Year 12

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

VETS1022, ANIM1060

Restrictions

Any student that has completed BIOL1020, BIOL1030 or BIOL1040 will need permission from the Faculty of Science to enrol into VETS1060. Please contact the Faculty of Science.

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Please check your course Blackboard site frequently for the latest Timetable information.

Please note that unexpected changes to the Timetable may occur throughout the Semester. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly check the course Blackboard site. Any updates to the timetable will be communicated to students via Blackboard Announcements.

Aims and outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide foundational understanding of animal life, its origins and evolution.ﾠﾠ The course will provide insight into the cellular basis of life, the diversity of life and the organization, structure and diversity of cells and tissues in animals.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Assessment Sequence: Prac Quizzes

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

20%

Due date

Quiz 1 (Week 4) 19/03/2025 - 24/03/2025

Quiz 2 (Week 5) 26/03/2025 - 31/03/2025

Quiz 3 (Week 7) 9/04/2025 - 14/04/2025

Quiz 4 (Week 8) 16/04/2025 - 28/04/2025

Quiz 5 (Week 10) 7/05/2025 - 12/05/2025

Quiz 6 (Week 11) 14/05/2025 - 19/05/2025

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission (Inspera)

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

In certain circumstances, you can apply to take a Deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams.

• In-semester deferred exam request – applies to exams held at any time other than during the University's end-of-semester exam block periods.
• End-of-semester deferred exam request – applies only to exams held during the University's designated end-of-semester exam periods.

You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.

There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.

Further information including acceptable evidence and instructions on how to apply can be found on my.UQ Deferring an exam

In-semester Exam

• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

25%

Due date

In-semester Saturday

29/03/2025 - 12/04/2025

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Students must be available for their examinations on the scheduled date, time, and campus of their course enrolment. The exam format is determined by the Course Coordinator and may include written (paper-based, online, or digital), practical, oral, or other timed assessments (such as quizzes).

If you are unable to sit for your original examination, you may be eligible for a deferred examination. To apply, you must demonstrate that unavoidable circumstances prevented you from attending your exam. If this is not possible, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam. All requests for deferred examinations MUST include supporting documentation. For more information, including acceptable evidence and application instructions, please visit my.UQ Deferring an Exam.

Please note that there are no provisions to defer an already-deferred exam. You must be available to sit your deferred examination at the allocated time.

Students who submit five or more deferral requests within a twelve-month period will be contacted with advice on the services and support available within the University.

End of Semester Theory Exam

• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

55%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Students must be available for their examinations on the scheduled date, time, and campus of their course enrolment. The exam format is determined by the Course Coordinator and may include written (paper-based, online, or digital), practical, oral, or other timed assessments (such as quizzes).

If you are unable to sit for your original examination, you may be eligible for a deferred examination. To apply, you must demonstrate that unavoidable circumstances prevented you from attending your exam. If this is not possible, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam. All requests for deferred examinations MUST include supporting documentation. For more information, including acceptable evidence and application instructions, please visit my.UQ Deferring an Exam.

Please note that there are no provisions to defer an already-deferred exam. You must be available to sit your deferred examination at the allocated time.

Students who submit five or more deferral requests within a twelve-month period will be contacted with advice on the services and support available within the University.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

To pass VETS1060

Students must achieve an overall mark of at least 50% (i.e. for the combined assessment tasks).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Milestone (BVSc(Hons) students ONLY)

A passing grade must be attained in ALL Year One courses prior to the commencement of the Animal Husbandry & Pre-Clinical Work Integrated Learning (WIL) milestone.

Grade calculations

When rounding final marks for grade calculations, part marks of <0.5 will be ROUNDED DOWN to the nearest whole number, and part marks of >/= 0.5 will be ROUNDED UP to the nearest whole number. 

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. 

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.  

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.  

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes. 

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Prac attendance

Attendance at all practical sessions is a fundamental requirement for your course. Practical sessions provide essential hands-on experience and reinforce theoretical knowledge, ensuring you develop the necessary skills to succeed.

Failure to attend practical sessions may significantly impact your understanding of the course material and, consequently, your overall performance. There is a direct correlation between consistent attendance in practicals and achieving strong results in this course.

If you are unable to attend a practical session, it is your responsibility to contact your lecturer as soon as possible to discuss available options for catching up on missed content. Proactive communication is crucial in ensuring you do not fall behind.

Assessment using the Inspera platform

Students must click the ‘SUBMIT NOW’ button on the summary page to submit their answers. After submission, a confirmation will appear on the dashboard indicating that the answers have been submitted and can no longer be edited.

For all exams lasting 60, 90, 120, or 180 minutes, an additional 10 minutes of planning time is provided to read the questions and plan responses, though students may start working immediately if they choose.

It’s crucial to ensure your laptop meets the device requirements for Inspera assessments before the exam. If you don’t have a suitable laptop, you can borrow one from the Library. Check Get Familiar with Inspera for the most up-to-date information about using the platform. Note that power outlets will not be available during exams.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Dissection Kits

It is not essential to purchase a dissection kit for VETS1060, but you may need a kit for other coursework.ﾠ We will use dissection kits in Practicals 4 and 5 and usually only require 1 kit for groups of 5 students.ﾠ

Recommended kits are:

• Modified veterinary dissection kit for Bachelor of Veterinary Science
• Basic dissection kit for Bachelor of Veterinary Technology

UQ Student Support and Wellbeing Services

Harmonising study and life commitments and seeking help early when needed is essential for successfully navigating university studies. UQ Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) and UQU Student Advocacy and Support (SAS) offer numerous resources for BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech students, including various mindfulness programs and counselling services to boost confidence and promote overall physical and mental wellbeing.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the UQ Counselling and Crisis Line on 1300 851 998 (available 24/7, 365 days a year).

The Hub

The Student Clinical Skills Hub is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art self-directed learning facility located centrally in the School (John Mahon (8105), Room 101) with two main areas and an online resource community available for all SVS students.

The Hub has a lab where students can practice their clinical skills using standard veterinary equipment, on simulators and/or models in conjunction with supporting audio-visual resources and a smaller communications suite with two working consult rooms, a viewing room and a debriefing space.

The Hub’s aim is to provide a safe, authentic, self-directed learning environment where students can practice their clinical skills in accordance with individual competences beyond the scheduled contact hours of their programs and further enhance their capacity for self-directed, lifelong learning.

If you cannot access the community or have any other questions, please contact the Hub Coordinator via svs-hub@uq.edu.au or ext 15046.

SVS BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech Student Support

The 2025 School of Veterinary Science Student Support Blackboard Site can be found by visiting [SCIE0586] Student Support for BVSc & BVetTech programs 2025 SCIE0586_7520_00101   

This site contains links to valuable resources and information for all BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech students. Here you will find information on topics such as:

• Orientation and new student information
• Mental health and wellbeing
• OH&S
•  Program rules and requirements
• Study planners
• Equity, diversity and inclusion
• Study help and support
• Useful SVS staff contacts –
• Academic Student Mentors, International Student Mentor, Peers Support Network, SVS Academic Progression and Integrity Officer, SVS Chief Examiner, SVS Director of Students and Admissions, etc.
• SVS Student Information Resource Handbook

The site also offers a way for you to share your valuable feedback directly with the School about your experiences as a student. We welcome and encourage your input, as it helps us continually improve our processes. If you have a formal grievance regarding academic or teaching standards, please refer to the Student Grievance Resolution Policy to understand your options and the steps you can take.  

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.