Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Veterinary Medicine

ONCOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

The Master of Advanced Studies in Veterinary Medicine / Oncology combines residential courses with hands-on training in wet labs and practicals as well as distance learning between the courses. While at home, candidates keep a case log and write case reports.

It testifies that a veterinarian has acquired an advanced level of competence in a specific discipline. This is neither a specialist diploma, nor a license for a certain type of professional activity.

CONTENT

The Master’s Program in Veterinary Medicine / Oncology includes:

Courses: Candidates take a series of one- or two-week ESAVS residential courses in the chosen discipline and related subjects. The time schedule, learning objectives and contents of the courses are described on the ESAVS website.

Practical work: The program allows candidates to study from their practice. It is expected that they gradually apply the skills they acquire in the residential courses to their daily work at home.

Written work: To support the above objective, candidates are assigned specific tasks to be completed at home. This includes a case log and a series of case reports.

Examinations: In order to obtain credit for the coursework, candidates have to take and pass an examination for each course. In addition, a passing grade has to be collected for all written work, which is evaluated and graded by the Examination Board. The passing grade has been established at 50% of the maximum possible points. Successful completion of course work, clinical work and written tasks leads to the acquisition of credits called “ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits”.

PROGRAM

The Master program is divided in 4 Modules:

MODULES I AND II: COURSES (40 ECTS credits):

* MODULE I: Major subjects (minimum 25 ECTS credits)

A minimum of 25 ECTS credits have to be obtained in Small Animal Oncology, corresponding to 5 weeks of ESAVS residential courses in Oncology (Oncology I-IV, Feline Oncology)

* MODULE II: Minor subjects (minimum 15 ECTS credits)

The remaining ECTS credits can be collected in other disciplines (minor subjects).

Please see the course curriculum at the bottom of the page for detailed information about possible course combinations.

MODULE III: Clinical work at home/case log (20 ECTS credits)

During enrolment in the Master Program, candidates are expected to apply the new knowledge and skills acquired in the courses to the activity in daily practice. Candidates are required to accumulate 200 well-documented cases in the form of a case log. The case log shall be compiled mostly in the second half of the program. The candidate must be the primary responsible clinician for the diagnosis and work-up / the primary surgeon in the surgical disciplines, for all logged cases. Each case inserted in the case log must be supported by detailed documentation. The evaluator may randomly request the documentation for some cases which the candidate must then immediately deliver by email. Further instructions regarding the case spread are available on the ESAVS website and a template will be provided after enrolment.

The case log shall be submitted in two batches (100 cases each). Each batch is evaluated and graded by the Examination Board. A passing grade has to be obtained.

MODULE IV: Thesis (case reports) (20 ECTS credits)

Detailed case reports shall comprise 10 Oncology cases. These cases shall address state of the art diagnostics and treatments of oncologic diseases. Published case reports, (published during enrolment in the program) can also be submitted. An oral presentation of one selected case must be presented in an approved format. Each case report is evaluated and graded by the Examination Board. A passing grade has to be obtained. Detailed instructions and examples are provided below.

EXAMINATIONS

An exam must be passed for each course. Examinations are conducted at the end of each semester. Exams can be taken at any of the bi-annual examination sessions offered during enrolment in the program. They may be spread over several sessions or taken together at one single session. The exams consist of multiple choice questions, examination of appropriate clinical cases or pictures related to the subject(s) covered in that course. A passing grade of 50 % has to be obtained.

DURATION OF THE PROGRAM

The minimum time requirement of a Master’s program is three years, but generally the program extends over a period of up to five years. An additional year can be granted upon request and approval by the committee. An applicant can enter the Master’s program immediately after graduating from veterinary school but the Master’s degree can only be obtained when the applicant has been practicing small animal veterinary medicine for at least 4 years since obtaining her/his veterinary degree.

Please follow the link to learn more about ADMISSION, REGISTRATION, FEES