Head of School Welcome

Prof Glen Coleman Acting Head of School

Welcome to the UQ School of Veterinary Science

Since its first intake of students in 1936, The UQ School of Veterinary Science has been recognized for a sustained record of excellence in teaching and learning across the veterinary disciplines and the quality of its research. The diverse group of academic and clinical staff in the School have made major contributions to tropical/sub-tropical animal health and medicine to benefit farm and companion animals, their owners and industry sectors.

The School has a reputation for graduating self reliant, independent and highly capable veterinarians who possess the initiative and problem solving abilities required for success in veterinary practice. The strength of the School lies in the expertise and dedication of staff, with the result that the School has continued to attract intelligent and committed students who have gone on to graduate and contribute successfully to Veterinary Science and the community.

The UQ BVSc curriculum is designed to encourage ‘active learning’ by students and this is achieved through a problem solving approach throughout the curriculum. Integration of pre-clinical with clinical disciplines is achieved through a range of approaches to incorporate practical instruction with electronic and on-line media, role plays, and reflective practice. Clinical and problem solving skills develop through a focus on case-based learning. Professional development is central to the curriculum and this aspect in particular contributes to the School’s “Learning for Life” theme.

The quality of education received by our Veterinary students has never been higher. Our values remain strongly orientated towards maintaining the strong sense of community for which the school is renowned. With new facilities, and an ambitious recruitment program that has attracted an excellent cohort of new staff, UQ has backed the School to outperform standards of education in Australasia.

The UQ Bachelor of Veterinary Science curriculum has full accreditation from both the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons which enables our graduates to practice in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The relocation into new facilities at the UQ Gatton Campus in 2010, allowed the School to seek accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association. This is a two stage process and the initial, consultative visit in August, 2010, recommended that the second stage comprehensive accreditation visit should be scheduled in 2011. The second 2011 visit will determine whether the School will receive AVMA accreditation.    

The strength of the School lies in the expertise and dedication of staff, with the result that the School has continued to attract intelligent and committed students who have gone on to graduate and contribute successfully to Veterinary Science and the community. Following the relocation to the UQ Gatton Campus in 2010, the School’s values remain strongly orientated towards maintaining the strong sense of community for which the school is renowned. The quality of education received by our Veterinary students has never been higher. With new facilities, and an ambitious recruitment program that has attracted an excellent cohort of new staff, UQ has backed the School to outperform standards of education in Australasia. New facilities and additional staff ensure the School exceeds accreditation guidelines and promise that UQ Veterinary Science will prosper into the next decade.

The four new buildings at the UQ Gatton Campus comprise the Veterinary Teaching Laboratories, Clinical Studies Centre, Veterinary Science Building and the Veterinary Medical Centre (Equine and Companion Animal Hospitals).

The Veterinary Teaching Laboratories provide a new benchmark for pre-clinical teaching with an advanced learning environment incorporating the latest technologies to enhance learning in anatomy, microbiology, physiology and pathology. The Clinical Studies Centre is a hands on area to develop clinical techniques required for diagnose and treat medical and surgical conditions. The Veterinary Science Building is the research and administrative hub for the School. The Veterinary Medical Centre is fully equipped for diagnostic and treatment of horses, ruminants and companion animals.    

The strategic decision to relocate the School from its current suburban location to a rural campus has provided the School with the infrastructure and resources needed to further develop its teaching, research and clinical service reputation. New facilities were built to international benchmarks to ensure that the University of Queensland remains a leading centre of excellence in veterinary teaching and research for future generations. Locating all UQ animal health, production and welfare activities on a single site at the Gatton Campus has enhanced state, national and international opportunities for collaboration and interaction both within and external to the University.  

Although the majority of the School of Veterinary Science has left the St Lucia Campus, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Small Animal Clinic at St Lucia is maintained. The School continues to operate from two campuses (Gatton and St Lucia) and two other sites (Pinjarra Hills and Dayboro).  This ensures a diversity of experiences for students and preparation for careers such as companion or production animal veterinary practice, research, government, biosecurity, or within industry.   

The relocation to the UQ Gatton Campus was a pivotal change and highly significant event in the development of the School. It has created opportunities for staff to deliver even stronger teaching and research outcomes in world class facilities. It has transformed the student experience and enhanced learning outcomes. This development upgraded our facilities to international benchmarks and ensured that the University of Queensland will remain a leading centre of excellence in veterinary teaching and research for future generations. 

Prof Glen Coleman BVSc, GradDipBiotech, PhD 
Acting Head of School
School of Veterinary Science
 

On this site