Training objectives

Thanks to theoretical, practical and traineeship activities, students of the degree course in Veterinary Medicine will be provided with advanced knowledge and professional skills to perform complex management and coordination activities in both the veterinary and health sector. 
The diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment and control of infectious and parasitic diseases are some of the key topics around which the various subjects are organized. This ensures that the health, wholesomeness, hygiene and quality of products of animal origin are thoroughly assessed, including food processing and transformation.

At the end of their career, graduates of veterinary medicine will have developed:

• the necessary theoretical knowledge deriving from basic science in view of its future application within the professional setting;
• the necessary skills to critically detect and evaluate animal's health conditions and diseases, as well as animal welfare both in individual and farm animals (including aquatic organisms) and anthropozoonotic aspects, and interpret them in light of basic scientific knowledge, pathophysiology and systematic and organ diseases; furthermore, they shall be able to determine suitable medical and surgical interventions to remove illness conditions.
• knowledge of epidemiology, diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment and control of infectious and parasitic diseases;
• the necessary skills to critically detect and evaluate the state of healthiness, hygiene and quality of products of animal origin, which might jeopardise human health; furthermore, they shall have knowledge about production and processing procedures of food products of animal origin;
• the necessary knowledge of animal nutrition and feed, and breeding technologies;
• the necessary skills to critically detect and evaluate breeding farm's impact on the environment;
• the necessary skills to develop, implement and monitor veterinary public health plans;
• the necessary skills to manage and monitor food production chains of food products of animal origin, as well as their safety;

Job opportunities

After successfully passing the veterinary national examination, which is required for individuals pursuing a career as licensed veterinary technicians, graduates from the degree course in Veterinary Medicine can:

• work as self-employed professionals in a variety of sectors, including companion animals, farm animals, exotic animals, wild animals, etc.;
• provide specialized assistance in Public Health and Food Safety;
• provide professional services within the National Health Service;
• provide professional services within Experimental Zooprophylactic Institutes;
• work as consultants or employees in a variety of sectors, ranging from the pharmaceutical industry to the food production and processing industry of food products of animal origin, etc.
• work at Universities and Research Centres (both public and private).
• work within local (e.g. province, region), national (Ministries) and communitarian bodies.

Curriculum

For information regarding the various teaching units offered and teaching timetable, please see the relevant section by clicking here.

Tirocinio

The Single Cycle Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine provides for specific Tirocinio activities to be performed by all students. These activities (35 ECTS) allow students to acquire the relevant hands-on experience they need to enter the veterinary profession. The application of knowledge and expertise in working environments, together with a high level of professionalism and the development of specific skills, is only possible thanks to the various learning areas within which students can practice what they have learnt.

Upon completion of their degree, students must sit the veterinary national examination to pursue a career as licensed veterinarians.
The veterinary state examination is a very useful tool to monitor and verify students' learning outcomes, and in particular their knowledge, skills and competencies.

The Tirocinio plays a key role in the training of students as it allows them to discover the very nature of the veterinary profession. In particular, a part of the Tirocinio must be completed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, most commonly referred to as OVUD.

For further information, please see the relevant section for Tirocinio Regulation.
To find out more about OVUD and student opportunities, please click here.

Final examination

For information regarding the final examination, please see the relevant section on the website of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.

As of Sept. 2018 graduation session, in addition to the degree parchment, students are sent an e-mail containing useful information on how to redeem the so-called "Open Badge", the electronic certificate listing the skills that students have acquired during their studies. For further information on the Open Badge and how to use it, click here.