Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine provides the training and qualifications required for registration as a veterinarian. There is no direct entry: it follows on from the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) as the second half of Adelaide University's veterinary science pathway.
You learn about the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in domesticated animals, including dogs, cats, horses, ruminants, camelids, pigs, poultry and wildlife, and hone the scientific and technical skills needed for research and clinical practice.
The first two years develop those scientific and technical skills alongside a strong professional development theme — training in veterinary communication, legislation, professional conduct, ethics, and clinical examination and reasoning. Essential practices including anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging and surgery are studied, and you master surgical techniques, emergency care and current medical technologies.
You also practise communicating with pet owners, farm managers and other stakeholders about animal care and treatment.
Extensive hands-on experience comes through clinical rotations in the university's purpose-built veterinary teaching hospitals, and through a structured workplace-based program: 26 weeks of extramural practical work.
The program totals 144 units — 108 units of core courses and 36 units of work integrated learning — delivered full time only over three years at the Roseworthy Campus. Graduates are eligible for registration as a veterinarian.