Student's Guide

Duration: 5 years

Total ECTS: 300

Language: English

N° of semesters: 10

N° of exams: 29

ECTS for elective activities: 12

ECTS for practical training: 35

ECTS for final thesis: 10

Title: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Curriculum Structure

The course in Veterinary Medicine has a five-year duration and offers an integrated educational pathway that progressively guides students from foundational scientific knowledge to full professional autonomy. It prepares graduates to address the most relevant and current professional challenges, including the One Health and circular health approach, public health and food safety, sustainability of animal production systems, risk management, and process digitalisation.

For each academic year, specific learning objectives are defined, with measurable outcomes aligned with the expected competencies at the end of the programme, as outlined below:

• Year 1 – Learning outcomes: principles of veterinary practice and digitalization
• Year 2 – Learning outcomes: specific veterinary subjects and sustainability
• Year 3 – Learning outcomes: propaedeutics and principles of One Health
• Year 4 – Learning outcomes: One Health concept, clinical veterinary sciences, and animal production
• Year 5 – Learning outcomes: clinical sciences, food safety, and professional veterinary training

Specifically, the achievement of these objectives is as follows:

Years 1 and 2: basic courses are issued. These courses include disciplines applied to plant and animal biological and genetic disciplines, structure, function, and metabolism of biologically relevant molecules, structure and function of animal organisms, Informatics, statistical, and bioethical methodologies.

Years 3, 4 and 5: characterizing courses are issued. These courses include: animal husbandry, breeding and nutrition, infectious and parasitic disease disciplines, anatomical-pathological, food inspection, food producing animals and companion animals clinics.

In the fifth year, students also acquire 5 ECTS of elective courses. The elective offer has been designed in response to specific national and European professional competence requirements.

The teaching commitment shall provide no less than 50% of the total workload to be devoted to practical activities.

The course is delivered through a combination of teaching methods, including lectures, small-group tutorials, and collaborative learning activities. Students engage in computer-assisted learning, demonstrations, and practical sessions in laboratories and dissection rooms, as well as hands-on experience with live animals.

The programme also includes guided and independent study, practical training in a Clinical Skills Centre, self-assessment activities, and placements in animal husbandry settings and veterinary practices.

Outside scheduled lectures and practical sessions, students are expected to engage in self-directed learning. This typically includes reading scientific literature and textbooks, working on individual and group projects, conducting library research, preparing assignments and presentations, and studying for examinations.

Practical Training

The Practical evaluative training (PT) consists of 35 ECTS credits, of which 30 are mandatory and 5 are elective. The 30 mandatory ECTS are distributed across the five years.

Students are required to acquire 5 ECTS credits through elective activities, to be selected within areas or structures autonomously identified by the student.

Graduation

The educational path of the graduate in Veterinary Medicine concludes, pursuant to Articles 1 and 3 of Law No. 163 of November 8, 2021, and the Interministerial Decree of July 7, 2022, No. 652, with the final examination for the attainment of the single-cycle master’s degree, which qualifies the graduate to practice as a veterinarian.

The final examination is preceded by a practical evaluative test of the practical training path.

Students complete their studies by earning 10 ECTS through a final exam consisting of the defense of an experimental or literature review thesis.

The Practical Training (PT) is aimed at developing professional competencies and complies with European standards and current regulations (Law no. 163 of 8 November 2021 and Ministerial Decree no. 652 of 7 July 2022). It constitutes an integral part of the qualifying final examination. The PT involves a total workload of 35 ECTS credits distributed throughout the entire programme:

Year 1: 2 ECTS (handling and patient reception activities)

Year 2: 2 ECTS

Year 3: 3 ECTS (clinical activities at the OVUD)

Year 4: 5 ECTS, including 2 ECTS at the OVUD Mobile Clinical Teaching Service

Year 5: 23 ECTS in total, including 5 ECTS of elective activities to be completed in the second semester

The traineeship is structured over 21 weeks and is carried out at university facilities (OVUD, departmental laboratories), public institutions (Local Health Authorities – ASL), and affiliated private structures (veterinary clinics, livestock farms, dairies, etc.).

Participation in traineeships is subject to mandatory attendance. Students may also complete part of their training abroad at research institutions or partner organizations.

A consolidated network of agreements with approximately 120 public and private institutions at the national level and 23 qualified structures across 13 countries, all suitable for hosting for practical training, applied research, and internships.

During the program, students are also offered the opportunity to acquire additional language skills (Italian language for non-native speakers) to enhance communication abilities and facilitate interaction in professional training environments.

PT takes place at:

• Teaching Veterinary Hospital – OVUD
• Frullone Veterinary Hospital for stray animals
• Clinical Skills Lab
• Necropsy and anatomy rooms
• Departmental laboratories
• Computer and microscopy teaching facilities
• Livestock farms within the regional and extra-regional territory

The delivery of the Degree Programme in English promotes privileged access to international traineeships, while active participation in Erasmus+ mobility programmes and international academic cooperation significantly strengthens the global dimension of the course, preparing students to operate in multicultural and transnational contexts.

Currently, the Department has established a solid network of agreements (ERASMUS Agreements),with approximately 120 public and private institutions at the national level and 23 qualified institutions across 13 different countries, all capable of hosting students of the new Degree Programme for practical training, applied research, and internships.

This international network offers diverse opportunities in areas such as veterinary clinical practice, food safety, environmental conservation, and biomedical research.

In response to specific professional demands from the local territory and the European Community, during the Degree Program students acquire, in the first semester of the fifth year, 12 ECTS credits through elective Professional Modules. From the 2022–23 academic year, each module consists of a set of 6 ECTS courses, from which students may choose two.

Students are also required to acquire 5 ECTS credits through elective activities, to be selected within areas or structures independently identified by the student.

The educational pathway of the Veterinary Medicine graduate concludes, in accordance with Articles 1 and 3 of Law no. 163 of 8 November 2021 and the Interministerial Decree of 7 July 2022, no. 652, with the final examination for the award of the Single-Cycle Master’s Degree, which qualifies graduates as veterinary pratictioners.

The final examination is preceded by a practical assessment test related to the Practical Training (PT). The final test consists of a public presentation before a designated committee of a written dissertation in English.

The thesis topic must concern an area of veterinary interest and may involve activities carried out in laboratories, field settings, farms, and/or affiliated institutions. Under the guidance of a supervisor, the student is required to complete all stages necessary for the development of the dissertation, including literature review, experimental activities, and data analysis.

The final examination consists of a public oral presentation in English of an original dissertation prepared by the student, supported where appropriate by digital tools. This presentation is followed by a brief discussion. It serves as a key demonstration of the student’s ability to critically and independently address the chosen topic.

Two types of thesis can be carried out:

• Review thesis, based on an in-depth and updated analysis of a specific topic through bibliographic research;
• Experimental thesis, structured according to the format of a scientific publication, including introduction, materials and methods, results, and discussion.

The graduation committee is composed of supervisors and co-supervisors, who meet prior to the session.

During the session, each supervisor presents the candidate and their thesis work. At the end of the session, the committee deliberates and assigns the final mark to each candidate.

The final grade is awarded based on criteria that differentiate between the two types of thesis and establish a maximum number of additional points depending on the starting grade.

The Degree Programme organises incoming orientation activities in close coordination with the other programmes of the Department and the School. The schedule of orientation initiatives is available via the https://www.mvpa-unina.org/orientamento/iningresso.xhtml

The overall communication strategy is supported by accessible informational materials in both print and digital formats, including:

• a Student Guide, available in English;
• institutional videos presenting the Department and the Degree Programme;
• redesigned brochures featuring updated graphics and QR codes for immediate access to digital resources;
• the VETMECUM, a practical handbook for first-year and out-of-town students, useful for navigating the Department’s services and facilities;
• short professional videos aimed at illustrating the role of the veterinary surgeon in contemporary society and helping students make informed choices.

The Degree Programme organises incoming orientation activities in close coordination with the other programmes of the Department and the School https://www.mvpa-unina.org/orientamento/tutorato.xhtml

From the first year, a structured tutoring service is in place, allowing each student to be supported by a dedicated academic tutor. This tutor serves as a constant point of reference throughout the entire academic pathway, providing personalized guidance to help students effectively manage university study, organize their study plan, and develop their professional identity.

At the beginning of each semester, presentation and promotion meetings of the tutoring service are organized, particularly for first- and second-year students, with the aim of encouraging informed and active use of this important support system.

The Degree Programme organises outgoing orientation and placement activities in close coordination with the other programmes of the Department. The schedule of these initiatives is available at Outgoing Orientation.

In addition, the programme adopts a comprehensive career support model based on an integrated set of activities—including employability workshops, mentoring, career coaching, meetings with professionals, support for CV and portfolio development, interview simulations, and the activation of internships and placement opportunities.

At the departmental level, and through the Job & Placement Committee, meetings will be promoted with veterinarians working within the National Health Service (ASL) as well as with private practitioners operating in the local area.

Recruiting Days will also be organised, during which graduating students will have the opportunity to participate in one-to-one interviews with companies, public institutions, and professional practices, creating concrete opportunities to connect with potential employers.

Furthermore, meetings with leading international organisations in the sector, such as AniCura and BluVet, are planned to provide students with a broader, global perspective on career opportunities.

https://www.unina.it/it/didattica/immatricolazioni-e-iscrizioni

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