Greece - University of Thessaly Faculty of Veterinary Science
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The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Thessaly is part of the School of Health Sciences of the University of Thessaly which also includes the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. It is located in the city of Karditsa, Thessaly, Central Greece.
The mission of the Faculty is to educate veterinary students and to promote scientific knowledge in the field of veterinary science. It also aims to provide education within a research environment for the benefit of the veterinary profession, the national economy and the local society and to balance the requirements for research, teaching and clinical work, whilst reaching full academic potential and excellence.
About Us
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Thessaly is the newest Veterinary Faculty in Greece. It was established in 1993 and began operations in 1995. The clinical Departments of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics - Reproduction were established in 1998 and serve as a referring veterinary hospital for small as well as for large animals, in the service of local community and the prefecture of Thessaly.
In May 2003, the Faculty has become a member of the European Association of Establismemts of Veterinary Education (EAEVE) and therefore future development will take place according to EAEVE guidelines.
Education
Teaching is carried out by the academic personnel of the University of Thessaly and by adjunct lecturers and consists from lectures, tutorials, clinical practice and extra-mural studies.
Undergraduate
Currently, there are more than 320 undergraduate students registered at the Faculty. After successful completion of the five-year long studies, students are awarded the Diploma of Veterinary Medicine. The Faculty aims to provide an enlightened, modern and scientifically based veterinary undergraduate curriculum. This curriculum provides students with the ability to:
- Understand basic biological principles, as well as the normal structure and function of animal organisms,
- Distinguish the pathological from the normal and understand disease mechanisms,
- Manage animal production in order to achieve optimum production, maintain animal health and welfare and safeguard human health,
- Prevent diseases and protect animals,
- Diagnose and treat common and important pathological conditions of animals, after taking into account the results of the clinical and para-clinical examinations,
- Communicate efficiently with the owners of animals, in order to draw necessary information and to guide them into resolving the problem,
- Understand difficult cases, which should be referred to more experienced colleagues,
- Appreciate the necessity for life-long professional and scientific development.
Postgraduate
The need for specialization within the veterinary profession and the diversity of knowledge related to veterinary science underline the requirement for postgraduate training. The Faculty offers:
- Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Master of Science (MSc) studies in "Aquaculture" - "Aquatic Animal Health"
- Postgraduate training programs in clinical disciplines such as Medicine and Surgery.
- European Veterinary Specialty in Small Ruminant Health Management by the Faculty's Department of Obstetrics & Reproduction which serves as a training center of the European College of Small Ruminant Health (ECSRH).
Current Research
The main lines of research activities in the Faculty focus on Infectious Diseases of Animals and on Veterinary Reproduction. Within these disciplines, there is a broad range of research activities, including the following:
- Diseases of sheep and goats.
- Infectious and parasitic diseases of fish.
- Chemotherapy of infectious diseases of animals.
- Ruminant reproduction.
Research is also carried out in the disciplines of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery by dedicated staff in the respective departments. Activity in the Faculty is indicated by the award of 17 PhDs and the presence of 35 postgraduate research students, by the publication of research articles in peer-refereed journals and by the presentation of numerous talks in national or international scientific meetings. Furthermore, members of the Faculty have been awarded over 87 research grants from the public or private sector.
Clinical Services
Farm Animals
The Faculty provides a first-opinion and a referral clinical veterinary service to farmers, throughout Greece. As part of their studies, fourth- and final-year students attend clinical cases in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits and poultry in these farms, whilst accompanying academic staff. Students also accompany the members of staff to routine management visits to farms associated with the Faculty. Animals are also accepted for hospitalization.
Companion Animals
The Faculty also provides, both to referring veterinarians and to the pet owners, a high quality efficient service for companion animals. Pet animals brought to the clinical Departments for examination and treatment are given excellent care. Again, as part of their studies, fourth- and final-year students attend clinical cases in dogs, cats, small pet animals and exotic animals, and participate in planned surgical or obstetrical operations.
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