University of Pretoria PGDip Laboratory Animal Science

This programme is offered by the Faculty of Veterinary Science.

The following persons may benefit from enrolling for the PG Diploma:

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) identified a need for further theoretical training for their staff in veterinary public health, veterinary epidemiology and animal disease management. This one-year diploma provides for their training needs.

Veterinarians, who are undertaking or have completed their compulsory community service and require refreshment training in preparation for private practice, may benefit from enrolling for the diploma programme.

Registered veterinarians who require further education towards their continued registration as professionals with the South African Veterinary Council (Continual Professional Development) will benefit by obtaining a PG Diploma as another means to obtaining their CPD requirements.

Veterinarians who are in single person practices, who do not have the intention of being specialists due to the time commitments of specialist training, will gain advanced veterinary knowledge at level above that of an undergraduate while they are still resident at their practices.

Staff members of veterinary schools in Africa may enrol for the PG Diploma.  As online modules are available to people who have the need for training, but do not necessarily have the funding for contact study in South Africa.

The curriculum consists of four compulsory core and elective theoretical modules of 30 credits each to the value of 120 credits.

Also consult General Regulations.

Students are required to confirm whether a module will be presented in any particular year.

Curriculum:

• With the introduction of compulsory “Continual Professional Development”, many registered veterinarians require further education towards their continued registration as professionals with the South African Veterinary Council. The PG Diploma will offer these professionals another means to obtaining their CPD requirements.
• Numerous veterinarians are in single person practices. While they do not intend to be specialists due to the time commitments of specialist training, the PG Diploma will allow them to gain advanced veterinary knowledge, at level above that of an undergraduate while they are still resident at their practices.

The minimum admission requirement is an appropriate bachelor’s degree, an appropriate advanced diploma or a bachelor of technology degree (SAQA level 7). Entry into clinical subjects will however be restricted to persons with the relevant veterinary qualification.

Additional requirements:

In cases where web-based/online modules are offered, basic computer skills are required in order to successfully participate in the diploma programme.

In certain cases, it remains the prerogative of the head of department to require, in addition to the entrance requirements, the successful completion of an admissions test before registration.  A student may also be required to pass a proficiency test in English (TOEFL).

The University of Pretoria aspires to be internationally competitive and nationally relevant. The Faculty achieves this by ensuring that its academic and research programmes conform to the highest standards and that the national and international accreditation of its degrees by professional bodies is maintained. Furthermore, the Faculty strives that the market value associated with its degree will always be of competitive benefit to students.