Overview

This is an introductory course for all Master of Veterinary Science (MVS) students entering the program and focuses on subjects and skills that will carry throughout the program and into the capstone project. Course topics provide support for the overall goal of becoming a more effective veterinary scientist.

Course Goals

Introduces fundamental veterinary science concepts and emphasizes the development of crucial skills such as critical thinking and persuasive writing, enhancing practical research skills, and crafting persuasive, evidence-based responses to scientific inquiries. Promotes effective presentation skills and introduces principles and application of design thinking. It delves into contemporary issues within veterinary medicine, underscores the significance of evaluating data validity, and establishes foundational knowledge in medical microbiology.
Introduces typical MVS course structure, provides exposure to upcoming instructors, and contributes to preparation for the capstone project. Provides pathway for students to transform the way they think and approach problems.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Describe the principles and all phases of design thinking as a problem-solving method.
Apply the Understand, Synthesize, and Ideate phases of design thinking to a problem with structured guidance.
Demonstrate practical research skills (information literacy) by the following: use library resources to locate and appraise academic sources, recognize grey literature, evaluate data validity of a published study, utilize a citation manager, analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources.
Differentiate between synthesis, summary, paraphrasing, quotation, and citation.
Demonstrate the use of critical thinking and persuasive writing skills such as critical analysis, synthesis, and appropriate use of sources in the creation of original, persuasive, evidence-based responses to scientific inquiries.
Demonstrate effective communication skills in both written and oral presentations with slides.

Recommended Prerequisites

No recommended prerequisites.