TUT Baccalaureus Technologiae BTech in Veterinary Technology

BACCALAUREUS TECHNOLOGIAE: VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY

Qualification code: BTVE96 – NQF Level 7

Important notification to new applicants:

Students who intend to enrol for this qualification should take note that no new applications will be accepted as from 2020. Potential students are advised to consult the University’s website for possible new qualifications which are aligned with the newly-implemented Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework.

REMARKS

a.Admission requirement(s):

A National Diploma: Veterinary Technology or an NQF Level 6 bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology from a South African university.

Holders of any other equivalent South African or international qualifications may also be considered, but will have to apply about six months in advance for the recognition of such qualifications. Candidates will be required to submit an evaluation of their qualifications by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) with their application forms for admission. The Faculty reserves the right to assess these qualifications and the applicant’s suitability/ competence for admission to the programme. Proof of English proficiency may be required. Depending on the nature of such an equivalent qualification, the completion of certain additional subjects may be required.

b.Selection criteria:

Selection is based on an assessment by a departmental selection panel.

c.Minimum duration:One year.

d.Presentation:

Block-mode classes offered over a period of two years on specific contact days.

e.Intake for the qualification:

January only.

f.Exclusion and readmission:

See Chapter 2 of Students’ Rules and Regulations.

g.Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), equivalence and status:

See Chapter 30 of Students’ Rules and Regulations.

h.Registration as a veterinary technologist:

On the successful completion of the second academic year, the candidate must register as a veterinary technologist (independent practice).

i.Practicals:

100% attendance is compulsory for all practical classes. Students must pass the practical component of a subject to obtain admission to sit for the examination.

j.Textbooks:

Textbooks and other educational material will be required.

k.Personal protective equipment:

Specific safety wear is compulsory in the practical laboratories.

l.Subject credits:

Subject credits are shown in brackets after each subject.

CURRICULUM

FIRST AND SECOND YEAR

Subjects are offered in semesters, as determined by the Head of the Department.

SUBJECT/MODULE INFORMATION (OVERVIEW OF SYLLABUS)

The syllabus content is subject to change to accommodate industry changes. Please note that a more detailed syllabus is available at the Department or in the study guide that is applicable to a particular subject/module.

On 01 August 2017, the syllabus content was defined as follows:

E

Entrepreneurship, core business strategies, marketing strategies, operational strategies, financial planning and management, human resource planning. (Total tuition time: ± 60 hours)

M

Structure, composition and characteristics of macromolecules. Transcription and translation. Recombinant DNA technology and prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetic manipulation. Use of nucleic acid probes and primers. Mutation analysis. Human mitochondrial genome. Practical techniques. Project. (Total tuition time: ± 90 hours)

P

The ecological and epidemiological principles that have an influence on the occurrence and distribution of parasites in Southern Africa. The population dynamics of parasites. Principles of integrated pest control. The prevention of pollution and biological resistance against chemical pesticides. Project. (Total tuition time:± 90 hours)

Administration routes. Basic principles of toxicology. Sampling, handling and analytical techniques. (Total tuition time: ± 90 hours)

Practical and theoretical knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the reproduction systems of animals. (Total tuition time: ± 90 hours)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: NATURAL SCIENCES (RMN201B)1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Subject custodians: Departments of Biomedical Sciences)

Purpose, nature and meaning of research, basic structure of a research proposal. Identify a research problem, literature review, research aims, objectives and hypotheses, research design types, sampling procedures, reliability and validity, research budget and research funding, types of quantitative data, basic principles of non-parametric tests. Introduction to descriptive statistics and probability (p-values) and hypothesis testing. Introduction to inferential statistics (student’s t-test, ANOVA and correlations). Introduction to epidemiological data. Interpretation of graphs and tables. Basic principles of research ethics. Dissemination of research find- ings. (Total tuition time: One full block week: ± 40 hours)

V

The more important pathogenic bacteria, mycoplasmas and fungi of veterinary importance that are covered with respect to isolation, identification and symptoms. Advanced techniques. Project. (Total tuition time: ± 90 hours)

Bacteriophages. Biochemistry of viruses. Replication. Interaction between virus and host. Control of viral infec- tions. Tumour viruses. Insect viruses. Vaccine production. Project. (Total tuition time: ± 90 hours)