SCAM13001U Veterinary Methodology and Paraclinical Skills

Volume 2025/2026
Education

This course is a compulsory course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The master is a post graduate education targeted small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

Read more about the  Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science.

Content

The course has a veterinary methodology and paraclinical perspective on companion animal patient work-up and integrates the importance of applying a systematic approach to clinical decision-making focused on the companion animal patient illustrated by the use of the problem-oriented approach (POA) and theoretical knowledge and practical skills within key paraclinical methods. The course provides the students with theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for using microscopy as a solid diagnostic tool in companion animal practice. The course also emphasizes the importance of systematic evaluation of radiographs and provides students with knowledge of different imaging modalities applicable in companion animal clinical practice. Knowledge of ethics, welfare, management, and communication tools both in respect to fellow colleagues and clients met in clinical practice are also parts of the course. Knowledge of effective infection control measures and hygiene standards in a veterinary clinical setting as well as safe handling and correct disposal of hazardous waste is part of the course.

Learning Outcome

Having completed the course, the student shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Define veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematic clinical decision-making in dedicated companion animal clinical practice.
  • List the systematic approach to the complex companion animal patient using POA and be able to explain, reflect on, and demonstrate an overview of systematic clinical decision-making.
  • List and explain the systematic approach to microscopy of companion animal cytology and hematology specimens including sample collection and preparation procedures.
  • Explain the systematic approach to the interpretation of laboratory results.
  • List and explain the systematic approach to the evaluation of existing and new veterinary imaging approaches in companion animal clinical practice and their advantages and disadvantages.
  • Reflect on key ethical and welfare considerations and the key communication and management issues in companion animal practice.
  • Explain the approach of effective infection control and prophylaxis in a veterinary clinical setting.
  • Define the handling of different waste categories and their disposal in regard to national regulations.

 

 Skills

  • Apply the methodologies and tools and use and adjust relevant equipment.
  • Prepare blood smears.
  • Evaluate and interpret normal and abnormal blood and cytology smears from companion animal patients including differentiating between inflammatory categories and malignant and benign lesions. Plan and implement additional work-up based on analysis and interpretation of these in complex clinical situations.
  • Apply the systematic approach to reading and interpreting radiographs in companion animal patients and plan and implement additional work-up based on analysis and interpretation of these in complex clinical situations.
  • Communicate effectively and discuss relevant problems and questions within the systematic approach to complex patients with peers and clients.
  • Construct and apply a microbial surveillance programme in a veterinary clinical setting.
     

 Competences

  • Collaborate and communicate within and between both specialists, dedicated companion animal, and mixed practice peers and lay persons involved in companion animal patient management.
  • Plan and reflect on the use of veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools.

 

 

Updated literature list will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science: Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work-experience.
A mixture of lectures, e-learning, theoretical and practical exercises as well as case-study work.
In theory and by practical exercises to extend the participants knowledge, personal skills and competences within the subject of management, presentation and communication. In theory and by practical exercises to extend the student’s knowledge, practical skills and competences within clinical decision-making, and the paraclinical disciplines clinical pathology and diagnostic imaging. In theory and by practical exercises to extend the participants knowledge in hygiene standards and infection prevention.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 12
  • Preparation
  • 124
  • Theory exercises
  • 12
  • Practical exercises
  • 18
  • Exam
  • 40
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Collective
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Practical exam
Written assignment
Type of assessment details
The ongoing tests consist of four parts:
a) a minimum of 80% active participation,
b) completion of a hygiene e-learning course,
c) two on-site examinations with multiple-choice, short answer, and/or essay questions (no aids allowed),
d) a written assignment: a problem and communication oriented approach to a clinical case (aids allowed).
Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

The ongoing tests part c (no aids allowed). Part d (aids allowed except AI).

 

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Exam period

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Re-exam

For information about the exact exam dates, please visit the exam schedule.

Criteria for exam assesment

To acheive the grade passed the student shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Define, identify and discuss veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematic clinical decision-making in dedicated companion animal clinical practice.
  • List and explain the systematic approach to the complex companion animal patient using POA and systematic clinical decision-making.
  • List and explain the systematic approach to microscopy of companion animal cytology and hematology specimens.
  • Explain the systematic approach to the interpretation of laboratory results.
  • List and explain the systematic approach to the evaluation of existing and new veterinary imaging approaches in companion animal clinical practice and their advantages and disadvantages.
  • Reflect on key ethical and welfare considerations and the key communication and management issues in companion animal practice
  • Explain the approach of effective infection control and prophylaxis in a veterinary clinical setting.
  • Define handling of different waste categories and their disposal in regard to national regulations.

 

 Skills

  • Reflect about and demonstrate overview of systematic clinical decision-making.
  • Apply the methodologies and tools and use and adjust relevant equipment.
  • Evaluate and interpret normal and abnormal blood and cytology smears from companion animal patients including differentiating between inflammatory categories and malignant and benign lesions. Plan and implement additional work-up based on analysis and interpretation of these in complex clinical situations.
  • Apply a systematic approach to the interpretation of laboratory results, in particular clinical chemistry.
  • Apply the systematic approach to reading and interpreting radiographs in companion animal patients and plan and implement additional work-up based on analysis and interpretation of these in complex clinical situations.
  • Communicate effectively and discuss relevant problems and questions within the systematic approach to complex patients with both peers and non-specialist colleagues and clients.
  • Apply and evaluate appropriate infection control paradigms.

     

 Competences

  • Collaborate and communicate within and between both specialist, dedicated companion animal and mixed practice peers and lay persons involved in companion animal patient management.
  • Plan and reflect about the use of veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools.