COURSE PRESENTATION
The Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine (Class LM-42; DM 270/2004) is a single-cycle, limitedscheduled access course with compulsory attendance for all types of activities (theoretical and practical) and for the entire duration of the course. Participation in at least 70% of these activities is considered strictly necessary. The evidence of attendance is under the responsibilitythe task and prerogative of the teacher of each teaching module whowhich determines methods to monitor students’ participationthe forms of assessment. The student is admitted to take the exam of the Integrated Course with the granting of certificates of attendance for each individual module.
To be admitted to the Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine, it is necessary to have a five-year high school diploma or equivalent other qualifications obtained abroad, recognized as suitable under the laws in force.
The training activities of the Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine take place at the facilities of the Department of Veterinary Sciences at Viale delle Piagge, 2, at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital “M. Modenato” in Via Livornese, San Piero a Grado (PI) (intramural Professional training) and at affiliated external structures (External Professional Training). The Teachers of the Degree Course are Full Professors, Associate Professors and Researchers mostly belonging to the Department of Veterinary Sciences.
The main objective of the Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine is to train professionals capable of:
- ascertainingand protecting the health and well-being of pets and production animals;
- preventingand treating infectious and parasitic diseases of animals;
- resolvingclinical, medical, surgical and obstetrical events in animals;
- managinggenetic selection schemes and aspects relating to breeding technology, nutrition and reproduction.
- inspectingand monitoring the health of animals, with particular reference to zoonoses, and control and supervising animal origin food chain from the production toand final retailmarketing of foodstuffs of animal origin.
The training course is divided into 5 years and includes three phases: the first is involves the acquisition of basic knowledge (biochemistry, physics, botany, zoology, anatomy and physiology), followed by a second phase of specific subjects (genetics, zootechnics and animal nutrition disciplines, infectious and parasitic and infestive disease disciplines, anatomical-pathological and inspection-veterinary disciplines, clinical, surgical and gynaecological veterinary disciplines) and a final stage of professional practical training, aimed at acquiring an appropriate practical preparation in professional subjects, linked to the preparation of the state exam for the profession of Veterinarian.
SIGNING UP
Orientation activities are organized by the Department and by the University to help choose the an appropriate Degree Course.
The Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine has a limited enrolment number at national level. To access the Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine (Ministerial Decree 1107 of 09/24/2022), candidates must take the TOLC-VET test, provided by CISIA (Interuniversity Consortium Integrated Access Systems), in order to use the best score to partecipate in the national selection for which a specific announcement will be issued. For the 2023/2024 academic year, the periods of the TOLC-VET sessions, preparatory for admission, are as follows:
– first period: from 13 to 22 April 2023;
– second period: from 15 to 25 July 2023.
For the announcement, consult the following website.
Information on the structure of the test is available on the CISIA website.
The number of places for students, the procedures for admission to the Degree Course, further information on the deadlines and procedures for registering for the admission examcompetition are reported each year on the University webpage Matricolandosi.
For students admitted to the Course, the knowledge required at entry will be verified and additional learning obligations (OFA) may be assigned and must be completed within the first academic year.
The organizational aspects of the Degree Course and the educational offer are described in the Teaching Regulations (History of Teaching Regulations for enrolled cohorts) and in the Study Plan.
For the transfer from other Universities or for the equivalence of academic qualifications obtained abroad, the University establishes the available places and the admission procedures for each academic year.
ORGANIZING THE STUDIES
READ THE FAQ FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
Students enrolled in the Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine can take advantage of the Tutoring Service and the Peer Tutoring Service which aim to guide and assist students during their studies.
The educational activities of the Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine are reported in the Study Plan.
The practical teaching associated with the teaching modules and many professional practical training activities can be carried out in the laboratories of the Department of Veterinary Sciences, at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and at the “Enrico Avanzi” Agro-Environmental Research Center.
It is also possible to acquire CFUs (ECTS) through theoretical or practical activities carried out abroad (studying abroad).
The Teaching Regulations of the Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine provide for the application and compliance with specific examination preparatory requirements (List of preparatory courses for Veterinary Medicine from the 2017-18 cohort – List of preparatory courses for Veterinary Medicine from the 2016-17 cohort).
The training activities also include Professional Practical Training which is regulated by a specific procedure.
Students can carry out the professional practical training abroad at facilities or companies, including those not affiliated, with which a bilateral agreement can be stipulated; in addition to what is required by the Internationalization Office (https://www.unipi.it/index.php/internazionalestudenti/itemlist/category/81), the student must comply with the Professional Practical Training Procedure and use the appropriate professional practical training forms abroad.
In the training course the student must acquire:
- 5 CFUs related to Computer knowledge
- 3 CFUs related to Linguistic knowledge
- 9 CFUs in Educational Activities to choose from
Additional information:
- course on safety in the workplace: starting from the second year, the student must carry out specific training on safety in the workplace, essential for carrying out all laboratory and practical teaching activities (link);
- student healthcare: the student is subject to health monitoring and is regulated by a specific procedure;
- forfeiture: starting from the academic year 2012-2013 the institution of forfeiture applies to students who have not acquired at least 18 ECTS within the second course (link);
- additional learning obligations: students who have additional learning obligations have to fulfil them within the first academic year (link);
- log-book: at the beginning of the second year each student is given a log-book. This is a personal training booklet in which all the practical activities carried out during the training course must be reported in order to verify the achievement of the educational objectives. In particular, this booklet is a tool for verifying and certifying the student’s preparation, acquired during the practical teaching associated with the individual teaching modules and during the professional practical training activities. The management of the log-book is regulated by a specific procedure (Facsimile of log-book attachment);
- barrier to the fourth year: in order to attend the courses of the fourth year (and the following year) and take the relative exams, the student must have passed all the exams of the first two years and at least one exam of the third year. Without this prerequisite, it is not possible for the student to follow the courses of the fourth year and take the related exams.
- Working/parent student: according to the University Teaching Regulations, the status of working student (Article 27) and parent student (Article 23 paragraph 9) can be recognized, for which concessions are provided in the course of study (link).
The teaching activities, defined each year by the Degree Course teaching plan, are organized according to a teaching calendar, take place approximately from mid-September to mid-December and from mid-February to the end of May, and are organized in a detailed class schedule.
The Teachers of the Degree Course receive students by appointment to be agreed by e-mail.
The relevant Program is available for each Course, with indications on how to conduct the course and the exam.
For each Course, the study material is available on the Elearning platform.
At the beginning of each academic year, the Degree Course Council, in compliance with the University Teaching Regulations, defines the calendar of exams.
Registration for exams takes place through the University Portal for registration for exams, where the sessions and dates of the exam sessions are indicated.
GRADUATING
To be admitted to the final degree exam, the student of the Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine must have acquired the CFUs relating to all the training activities provided for in the Study Plan.
The student must comply with what is described in the Degree Thesis Regulations regarding the preparation and discussion of the Degree Thesis and must submit the Thesis application not before having acquired 180 CFUs, at least 8 months before the Degree session, following the deadlines set by the Regulations.
For each graduation session, the list of candidates and thesis commissions are published. At least 15 days before the date set for the graduation session, the Student must consign to the Teaching Unit of the Department of Veterinary Sciences a self-certification (signed by the candidate, the supervisors and the co-examiner) stating that the title of the Thesis is in accordance with the thesis topic approved by the Degree Course Council.
POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS
To practice the profession, graduates in Veterinary Medicine must take the State Exam for qualification, following the information for candidates: the exams take place in June (summer session) and November (autumn session), in front of a Commission appointed by the MUR (by the Rector during the Covid period), according to a calendar prepared by the Department of Veterinary Sciences.
Results of the November 2021 session
New graduates can carry out non-curricular professional practical training (in Italy or abroad) aimed at direct knowledge of the world of work and managed at the University level, which offers them additional support services.
New graduates can access the Erasmus post graduate program.
Graduates in Veterinary Medicine can access Specialization Schools for the acquisition of specific knowledge and skills for functions required in the exercise of particular professional activities.
In the Department of Veterinary Sciences there are some Specialization Schools and a Doctorate Course.
The postgraduate educational offer of the Department of Veterinary Sciences is completed by the Masters.
APPROACHING THE WORLD OF WORK
The student comes into contact with various working realities during the Professional practical Training which enables them to acquire specific medical-veterinary skills. The Professional Practical Training consists of in participating in practical activities to be carried out at internal structures of the University or at public or private facilities affiliated with the Department of Veterinary Sciences.
Furthermore, students have free access to seminars organized by some of the main sector associations (FNOVI, ASPA) with which the Department has made agreements: the Presidency of the Degree Course periodically informs students of these events, providing dates and programs. By participating in these seminar activities, students can come into contact with professional reality and begin to understand the importance of the continuous updating of professional knowledge and competencies refreshment of knowledge.
THE WORLD OF WORK – ORIENTATION
For the purpose of orientation to the world of work, each year the Degree Course organizes an Orientation Day for fourth and fifth year students.
At the Department level, career guidance is managed by the Job Placement working group.
At the University level there is also a career-based orientation activity and support in order to enter the world of work (Career Service).
Professional opportunities
The Veterinarian can carry out their work after qualifications to practice the profession, with specific professional opportunities.
To access work activities in most public bodies, a specific postgraduate training course is required.
The Master’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine also gives access to third-cycle studies such as the Research Doctorate and Specialization Schools and to second-level Masters.
INSTITUTIONAL BODIES – Degree Course
The President of the Degree Course Council is elected by the members of the Council and remains in office for three years, during which it supervises the activities of the Degree Course. The Degree Course Council, made up of the Professors responsible for the educational activities of the Degree Program and student representatives, ensures the appropriate conduct of teaching activities, using procedures specified by the Statute and Regulations of the University of Pisa.
The Degree Course Joint Faculty-Students Committee, made up of an equal number of professors and student representatives and chaired by the President of the Degree Program, constitutes a permanent observatory of teaching activities, providing indications or proposals to the Degree Course Council.
The Review Group, appointed by the President of the Degree Course and composed of the President and professors of the Degree Course, a student representative, the Head of the Teaching Unit of the Department of Veterinary Sciences and at least one representative of the world of work, has the task of carrying out a periodic and planned process of monitoring and reviewing the teaching activities of the Degree Course.
The Professional Practical Training Committee, made up of teachers of the Degree Course, has the task of managing the activities connected with the professional training.
The Year Coordinators are appointed by the President of the Degree Course from among the teachers involved in the teaching of each year of the course, and have the task of collaborating in the management and organization of teaching activities during each year of the course.
The Steering Committee, made up of teachers and students of the Degree Course and professionals from the world of work, has the task of examining the training path of the Degree Course and providing advice and proposals for a continuous improvement of the educational path offered to students, taking into consideration the needs of the labour market.
QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM – Degree Course
The Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine, in line with the actions that the University carries out to guarantee the quality of teaching and facilities, is committed to continuous improvement through discussions with students and representatives of the world of work (Steering Committee, Veterinary Doctors of Pisa Association, the National Federation of Italian Veterinary Association (FNOVI) and the National Association of Italian Veterinarians (ANMVI).
The Quality Assurance system involves the evaluation, implementation and revision of the Degree Course curriculum through annual and periodic actions (link).
The results of the work carried out by the Quality Assurance system in the evaluation, implementation and revision of the Degree Course curriculum are made known during the meetings of the Degree Course Council and the representatives are required to communicate the results to their relative categories (e.g. students, technical staff, etc.). Furthermore, every year all information regarding the Degree Course, including changes made to the curriculum, are released through the distribution of the Sua form, which is published on the Universitaly public portal, dedicated to informing interested parties, including students and their families. (https://www.universitaly.it/index.php/scheda/sua/49988#3).
EAEVE – European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education – This is an association that brings together European (and not only) bodies responsible for teaching Veterinary Medicine with the aim of evaluating, promoting and further improving the quality standards of the facilities and teaching of Veterinary Medicine.
To this end, in collaboration with FVE (Federation of Veterinarians of Europe), EAEVE has approved the MANUAL OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP), which contains a series of principles and evaluation parameters on the basis of which the Degree Courses in Veterinary Medicine are periodically examined and evaluated.
The Department of Veterinary Sciences, with its Master’s Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine, was approved by EAEVE in 2012. This approval, whose validity will end in May 2022 (duration 10 years), is a guarantee not only for students but also for society as a whole since this recognition confirms the quality of educational standards and, therefore, the preparation of newly graduated veterinarians.
The Department of Veterinary Sciences has formalized the establishment of an EAEVE Commission, with the aim of monitoring the Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine and proposing improvements in the performance of the processes and the compliance of the training course with respect to the principles and parameters of assessment established by EAEVE. For information visit: https://eaeve.vet.unipi.it/.