Study programme description

The learning objectives achieved in the study programme Veterinary Morphology and Physiology are methodologically based on the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF). This defines the requirements for learning outcomes for knowledge, skills, responsibility and autonomy.

For level 8, the required learning outcomes are “highly specialised knowledge, some of which is at the forefront of the field of work or study“.

The core knowledge is provided on core courses in the field of veterinary morphology, animal system physiology, veterinary histomorphology, veterinary pathological physiology, and organ pathological anatomy, which are described in the information sheets as knowledge achieved as learning outcomes. Additional knowledge is achieved by completing compulsory optional courses of the study programme in the field of molecular biology and genetics, veterinary surgery and orthopaedics, diagnosis of animal diseases, veterinary obstetrics and gynaecology, veterinary biochemistry, animal toxicology, animal nutrition and dietetics, methodology and statistical evaluation of biological experiments and alternative models in research.

The graduate has extensive knowledge in several areas of the study programme or field of study, which is used as a basis for research and development in Veterinary Morphology and Physiology. The studies focus on acquiring the latest theoretical knowledge based on the current state of scientific knowledge in individual areas of Veterinary Morphology and Physiology.

The study builds on the knowledge acquired through second-level higher education at veterinary and medical faculties (universities), pharmaceutical faculties, natural sciences faculties or other faculties of medicine and natural sciences.

Education in level 3 of higher education focuses on organs and tissues and consequently the principles of functioning of individual organ systems, their adaptive and regulatory mechanisms in a healthy animal organism and pathological reactions and processes and the mechanisms of the origin, development and consequences of pathological processes in the body. The graduate has detailed knowledge of theoretical disciplines such as anatomy, histology and physiology essential for understanding the aetiological factors causing pathological reactions, conditions and processes, pathological physiology and pathological anatomy. The study uses the latest methods and techniques that will enable graduates seek employment in other disciplines or clinical fields.

For level 8, the most 'advanced and specialised skills and techniques, including the ability to synthesise and evaluate, are required to solve fundamental problems in research and/or innovation and to extend and redefine existing knowledge and practices'.

The graduate of the study programme of Veterinary Morphology and Physiology is qualified to work as a university teacher and researcher in the field of morphology, physiology, histology, pathophysiology, pathomorphology, as well as in other related areas. He is familiar with the research methods used in anatomy, histology, physiology and pathophysiology carried out on various models (cell culture, experimental and commercial animals and alternative animal models: chicken and quail embryos). The graduate is able to use statistical and bioinformatics methods as well as other knowledge from related scientific disciplines, research morphological and pathophysiological changes in organisms by using a variety of methodological approaches in order to gain new, previously unpublished knowledge. He is technically proficient not only in routine laboratory procedures but also in working with sophisticated instrumentation in experimental laboratories, can formulate scientific problems, carry out creative and independent research and independently present the results of his/her work in internationally accepted journals, as well as present them at scientific events. The results of creative experimental work contribute not only to the development of science and scientific knowledge, but to the human and veterinary medicine, agriculture and pharmacy as a whole.

Responsibility and autonomy, defined for Level 8, is "highly specialised knowledge in the field of work or field of study as well as at the general knowledge of related fields."

The graduate is characterized by independent, critical and analytical thinking and takes into account social, scientific and ethical aspects when formulating research questions and interpreting research results. The results of his/her own creative work contribute to the development of science, scientific knowledge and the practice. The graduate is able to present the results of research independently to the professional community, is able to determine the research question and coordinate a team in the relevant study programme, can independently design, validate and implement new research and working practices based on the outputs and findings.

1. Graduates of the study programme Veterinary morphology and physiology can work at the department of agriculture, health, environment as an expert in basic and applied research, in particular in the study of the impact of various additives, nutraceuticals, chemical and physical factors on the health of humans and animals.

Relevant external interested parties who have provided a statement or a favourable opinion on the compliance of the acquired qualification with the sector-specific requirements of the profession: Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology.

1. On the basis of the previous long-term experience with the graduates of the study programme of Veterinary morphology and physiology, it can be stated that the graduates find employment as university teachers at universities, where morphology, physiology, pathoanatomy, pathophysiology are taught, as well as at research institutes, where they solve the problems regarding the environment, additives, nutraceuticals, chemical and physical factors on the health of humans and animals in their scientific activities. Graduates are able to work in the health, agriculture, environment, and biological laboratories, as well as in research sectors that require analysis of body fluids, immuno-histochemical analyses, and the skills to work with cell cultures and various animal models as part of their research. The acquired knowledge and skills make the graduates a perfect candidate for working in clinical practice in veterinary clinics or reference laboratories related to standard laboratory practice.

Examples of successful graduates of the study programme Veterinary morphology and physiology: There have been no graduates so far in the full-time study programme Veterinary morphology and physiology offered in English.

Employers' evaluation of the quality of the study programme (feedback): the quality of the study programme can be positively assessed indirectly given the interest in this study programme among graduates of the second level of higher education from various fields (medical and pharmaceutical sciences, natural sciences and agricultural sciences. UVMP has prepared questionnaires about graduates for employers. UVMP has prepared questionnaires about graduates for employers.

1. The rules for drawing up the study plans in the study programme Veterinary Morphology and Physiology are based on the general provisions contained in Article 8 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part B.
2. The recommended framework study plan for doctoral students for full-time study is given in Table 1.

Table 1 Framework study plan for full-time PhD students in the study programme Veterinary Morphology and Physiology

Explanatory notes: S - exam, SŠ - state exam, Z - credit

Compulsory optional courses (the doctoral student chooses a total of 2 compulsory optional courses based on the topic of dissertation) from the following courses:

1. Alternative models in research
2. Diagnosis of animal diseases
3. Methodology and statistical evaluation of a biological experiment
4. Molecular biology and genetics
5. Animal toxicology
6. Veterinary Biochemistry
7. Veterinary surgery and orthopaedics
8. Veterinary obstetrics and gynaecology
9. Animal nutrition and dietetics

The dissertation examination may be taken by a student who has achieved 50 credits for five CSs and at least 10 credits for two selected OCSs during the study period, no later than 24 months from the start of the doctoral studies. A minimum of 240 credits is required for graduation.

1. The study plan includes:

• listed individual parts of the study programme (core and compulsory optional coursess),
• allocated credits to each section based on the learning outcomes achieved
• and the associated workload,
• the listed locations of the course (if the study programme is carried out at more than one location),
• the course syllabi for each educational part (course) include the following:
• learning outcomes and related criteria and rules for their assessment so that all the learning objectives of the study programme are met,
• learning activities through which the learning outcomes are achieved,
• the methods by which the educational activity is carried out,
• the designated course guarantor as well as other persons providing teaching of the course,
• course topics,
• the student's stated workload.

1. The number of credits which must be earned to complete the study and other conditions that the student must fulfill to graduate, including the conditions of state exams, rules for retaking courses and rules for extension, interruption of studies:

The condition for the proper completion of studies is obtaining 240 credits, which include credits for passing the dissertation examination and defending the dissertation. Other conditions that the student must fulfill to complete the studies, including the conditions of state exams, rules for retaking courses and rules for extension, interruption of studies are listed in Articles 2, 15, 18, 19 and 29 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, Part B.

1. The conditions for completing the individual parts of the study programme and the student's progress in the study programme in the structure:

number of credits per core courses required for proper completion of the studies/completion of part of the study : 50

• number of credits for compulsory courses required for proper completion of the studies/completion of part of the study: 10,
• number of credits for the dissertation examination: 20
• number of credits for the defence of the final thesis required for proper completion of studies: 30

UVMP in Košice has laid down the rules for the verification of learning outcomes and evaluation of students and the possibilities of repeating exams in Articles 17, 18 and 25 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, Part B.

1. Conditions for the recognition of studies or part of studies:

UVMP in Košice has regulated the conditions for recognition of studies or part of studies in Articles 19, 38 and 42 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, Part B.

1. Topics of the final theses of the study programme:

UVMP in Košice annually lists the topics of the final theses of the study programme Veterinary Morphology and Physiology in a tabular overview as well as on the UVMP in Košice website.

In the study programme Veterinary Morphology and Physiology offered in English in the full-time form of study, no topic has been announced so far.

1. UVMP in Košice has laid down :

• the rules for assigning, processing, opposing, defending and evaluating final theses in Articles 1, 8, 9, 10, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVLF in Košice, Part B,
• possibilities and procedures for participation in student mobility in Article 42 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of UVLF in Košice, Part B,
• Code of Academic Ethics in the internal regulation Disciplinary rules for Students of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice in the internal regulation UVLF Employee Code of Ethics and in the internal regulation UVLF Student Code of Ethics,
• procedures applicable to students with special needs in Part II, Article 2, point 7; Article 3, point 12 of the internal regulation Study Regulations of the UVLF in Košice, Part B,
• the procedures for filing complaints and appeals by the student are specified, in addition to the Study Regulations of UVMP in Košice, in particular in the internal regulation Directive on the handling of complaints at UVMP in Košice.

The members of the committee in charge of study programmes for the third level of higher education are students Marek Ratvay, DVM (3rd year of SP Immunology); e-mail: marek.ratvay@student.uvlf.sk; Teodora Blatníková, DVM (3rd year of SP Veterinary Morphology and Physiology); e-mail: teodora.blatnikova@student.uvlf.sk and Pavel Gomulec, DVM (1st year of SP Internal Animal Diseases); e-mail: e-mail:pavel.gomulec@student.uvlf.sk.

Study programme advisor: vice-rector for research and doctoral studies at UVMP in Košice

1. Other study programme support staff - assigned study officer: Mgr. Júlia Jančura, e-mail julia.jancura@uvlf.sk; career advisor: the function of the career advisor is performed by the doctoral student's supervisor.

All literary resources for study outlined in the syllabi are available either in print or electronic form, all information databases purchased and licensed by the university are widely available to students.

UVLF in Košice also provides distance learning for all courses via the MOODLE and MS Teams platforms. Each student can access manuals either in electronic form or in the form of video instructions.

Partners of the university in the provision of educational activities of the study programme and characteristics of their participation.

UVLF in Košice provides excellent conditions for the above.

Students of the Veterinary Morphology and Physiology study programme are guaranteed the opportunity to participate in mobilities. The entire agenda containing instructions and conditions for applying for mobility, conditions and rules of participation as well as rules for recognizing mobility as part of the study plan is covered by the Vice-Rector for International Relations and Internationalisation and the organisational unit managed by her, which is the UVMP Mobility Office. The whole process requires coordination with the supervisor, and is recommended after the study part of the study plan has been completed. Participation in mobility and other contexts are regulated Article 42 of the Internal Regulations of the Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice, Part.

These are laid down in Article 1 and Article 2, Part B, Part II Organisation of Studies of the Internal Regulations of the Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice.

These are laid down in Article 3 and Article 4, Part B, Part II Organisation of Studies of the Internal Regulations of the Study Regulations of the UVMP in Košice. Examination boards for admission examinations are at least 4-member and are appointed by the Rector on an ad hoc basis according to the focus of the study programmes to which students apply.

1. Procedures for monitoring and evaluating students' views on the quality of the study programme:

The students of UVMP in Košice can evaluate the quality of teaching anonymously through an anonymous questionnaire after graduation, where they evaluate the quality of a particular study programme and the quality of the lecturers who provide the course. Monitoring of study programmes is also continuously carried out by the coordinators of individual fields (5) of science and research at UVMP.

The feedback and measures to improve the quality of the study programme are part of the Annual Reports on the Educational Activity at UVLF in Košice for individual academic years and the Annual Reports on the Quality of UVLF in Košice for individual academic years. They are also presented at the Teachers' meeting, which is held at the beginning of each academic year. In general, the principle that the results of the feedback are very important for drawing conclusions from the evaluations, as these are implemented into concrete measures aimed at improving the quality of the study programme.

The results of alumni feedback and related measures to improve the quality of the study programme are part of the Annual Reports on Scientific and Research Activities at UVMP in Košice for individual AY and Annual Reports on the Quality of UVMP in Košice for individual AY. The Vice-Rector for Science, Research and Doctoral Studies and the coordinators of the individual domains of science and research act within the framework of the measures to improve the quality of the study programme by personally entering into the solution of the problems arising from the results of the feedback.