Access to Higher Education Diploma (Veterinary Science)

Modules

Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task
• Know how to interpret and discuss ideas and issues in responding to a set, academic writing task
• Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas

Unit 2: Preparing a Written Assignment

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand how to use key information sources
• Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced
• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand note-making methods
• Understand how to plan draft and produce a written assignment

Unit 3: Cell Biology

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the structure and organisation of cells
• Understand cellular metabolism
• Understand how cells grow and divide

Unit 4: Atomic Structure

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand protons, neutrons and electrons in terms of their relative charges and masses
• Understand the distribution of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom given its Atomic number and Mass number, including some isotopes
• Understand the number and relative energies of the s, p and d orbitals for the principal quantum numbers and know the shapes of s, p and d orbitals
• Understand how ionisation energies of elements relate to reactivity
• Understand the position of elements within the Periodic Table from ionisation energy data

Unit 5: Cell Division and Heredity

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Demonstrate a knowledge of cell division
• Demonstrate an understanding of heredity and genetic variation

Unit 6: Aspects of Animal Biology

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand aspects of cell biology
• Understand a range of skeletal and locomotory systems in animals
• Understand sensory organs in animals

Unit 7: Periodic Table

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the Periodic Table
• Understand periodicity in the elements of period 3
• Understand ionisation energy
• Understand oxidation and reduction
• Understand reactions of the Group 2 metals
• Understand the Group 7 elements

Unit 8: Animal Behaviour and Welfare

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to identify behaviour patterns for a range of animal species both in captive and in wild settings
• Be able to investigate methods of communication in a range of animals
• Understand UK animal welfare issues and codes of practice
• Understand UK welfare legislation and enforcement

Unit 9: Atomic Structure & Bonding

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the structure of the atom
• Understand electronic structures
• Understand the formation of ionic bonds
• Understand the formation of covalent bonds

Unit 10: Cell Metabolism

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the glycolytic pathway and fermentation of sugar to yield alcohol
• Understand the tricarboxylic acid cycle
• Understand the dark reactions in photosynthesis
• Understand the biochemical basis of generating adenosine triphosphate in subcellular organelles

Unit 11: Animal Nutrition and Digestive Systems

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the functions of the essential nutrients in an animal’s diet
• Understand the nutritional requirements of animals
• Understand the ruminant and non-ruminant digestive systems of animals
• Understand the energy and nutritional requirements for different animals depending on size, age, sex and use to which they are put
• Know common animal nutritional problems

Unit 12: Chemical Bonding and Structure

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the nature of organic chemicals

Unit 13: Animal Physiology

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand different methods of feeding in animals
• Understand gas exchange in a range of animals
• Understand selected modes of locomotion
• Understand reproductive strategies in a range of animals

Unit 14: Hydrocarbons

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the importance of organic compounds
• Understand the structure and characteristic reactions of alkanes

Unit 15: Statistical Research

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand how to plan for an investigation within an appropriate subject area
• Understand how to carry out an investigation by collecting and processing an appropriate range of data
• Understand how to interpret and analyse results
• Understand how to evaluate the investigation

Unit 16: Chemical Change

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Know how to measure the concentrations of solutions
• Understand energy changes during chemical reactions
• Understand factors influencing rates of chemical reactions
• Understand the concept of chemical equilibrium

Entry Requirements

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started on healthcare courses at university, you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

This course is ideally suited to those who have completed full-time education but have not achieved the grades required to get into university.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic report, essay, presentation (video and audio recording), scenario analysis, illustrated report, series of questions, work sheet, academic writing skills tasks

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Assessment

The assessment process of our veterinary science course consists of the following:

Assignments

The assignments for this course aim to prepare you for your next step in higher education while providing the number of credits necessary to achieve your qualification.

At the end of each unit of study, you will need to complete an assignment. Your tutor will then mark this and provide you with feedback and a grade to help you progress.

Credits

To successfully achieve this Access to Higher Education Diploma you will need 60 credits in total. The credits are split into the following two categories:

• Graded – 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
• Ungraded – 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills

As part of this veterinary diploma, UK learners will also receive help as well as guidance with their university application and the research they need to do to get the most out of their diploma.

Qualifications

Open College Network West Midlands

On successful completion of the Open College Network West Midlands Access to Higher Education Diploma (Veterinary Science), you will receive a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at Level 3 (QAA ref: 40013443). This course has also been assigned 60 credits.

Open College Network West Midlands are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications.

Open College Network West Midlands work in partnership with employers, training providers, colleges, universities, schools and voluntary and community organisations to offer vocational credit-based qualifications, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and quality assured Customised Accreditation that enables learners gain employment or to progress into further learning and Higher Education. They also Quality Endorse organisations internal training and skills delivery.

Once you successfully complete this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Veterinary Science), you will be perfectly prepared to study a veterinary science or veterinary nursing degree at university. This will depend entirely on which career path you’re most interested in.

Further Qualifications and Prospects

Once you qualify and become a registered Veterinarian or Veterinary Nurse, your registration needs to be maintained through Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This includes any form of training and education that adds directly to your skillset but doesn’t fall under your mandatory and statutory training.

CPD training can also provide the perfect opportunity to try out a specialist area you might want to explore, as there are many progression paths for Veterinarians and Vet Nurses once qualified.

As a Vet Nurse, you could develop specialist skills in rehabilitation, focus on the care of exotic pets or step into leadership and management roles as you gain experience.

As a Vet, you could study courses on:

• British Wildlife Rehabilitation
• Herpetology
• Marine Biology
• Wild Animal Behaviour
• Zoology

With additional specialist knowledge and qualifications, you could progress into senior roles like:

• Equine Veterinarian – Work solely with horses
• Official Veterinarian – Help manage animals that cross the border
• Veterinary Specialist – Concentrate on a particular specialism like dentistry, surgery or emergency care
• Zoo Veterinarian – Support the health of exotic animals in zoos

Should you choose to complete the necessary postgraduate qualifications, you could teach future Veterinarians and perform research.