Master of Veterinary Medicine in Veterinary Medicine (Research)

Ghent University’s Master’s programme in Veterinary Medicine is unique in Flanders. The programme is open only to holders of an academic Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine. In the last year of the Master’s curriculum you choose one of five main subjects: ruminants; pig, poultry, rabbit; horse; companion animals; or research.

This program is accredited by EAEVE - European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education.

https://www.eaeve.org/esevt/establishments-status

Enrol

Master's Programme

3 year 180 credits

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Dutch

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About the programme

Programme summary

Find out more

Off to a good start

After graduation

First year

(version 9 )

Course schedule 1st semester Course schedule 2nd semester

1 General Courses

1.1 Common subjects of Master of Veterinary Medicine

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical and Communicative Skills III [nl]	1	year	nl	Annelies Decloedt	3

Bacterial and Myotic Diseases and Zoonoses	1	sem 1	nl	Frank Pasmans	4

Parasitic Diseases and Zoonoses	1	year	nl	Edwin Claerebout	5

Clinical Pharmacology	1	sem 1	nl	Mathias Devreese	4

Medical Imaging and Radioprotection	1	sem 1	nl	Jimmy Saunders	4

Viral Diseases, Prion Diseases and Zoonoses	1	sem 1	nl	Hans Nauwynck	4

Pathogenetics	1	sem 1	nl	Bart Broeckx	4

General Surgery II	1	sem 2	nl	Ann Martens	4

Toxicology	1	sem 2	nl	Siska Croubels	4

Domestic Animal Medicine	1	sem 2	nl	Bart Pardon	4

Organ Pathology	1	sem 2	nl	Koen Chiers	4

Veterinary Public Health IV: Food Safety and Control	1	sem 2	nl	Sarah Gabriël	5

1.2 General Clinical Education

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training I		1	year	nl	Ann Martens	4

2 Courses Related to the Main Subject

2.5 Master's thesis Research

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation I: Statistics and Experimental Design		1	year	nl	Luc Duchateau	6

3 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no less than 3 and no more than 4 credit units from 3 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.4 Ghent University Courses

Subscribe to no more than 3 credit units from the study programmes of Ghent University,including the Ghent University Elective Courses. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Ghent University Elective Courses

Second year

(version 9 )

Course schedule 1st semester Course schedule 2nd semester

1 General Courses

1.1 Common subjects of Master of Veterinary Medicine

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Veterinary Public Health V: Externship and Practicals	2	year	nl	Sarah Gabriël	3

Advanced Course in Animal Surgery	2	sem 1	nl	Hilde De Rooster	4

Companion Animal Medicine and Reproduction	2	sem 1	nl	Sylvie Daminet	4

Large Animal Medicine	2	sem 1	nl	Gunther van Loon	3

Clinical and Communicative Skills IV	2	sem 1	nl	Annelies Decloedt	3

Large Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics	2	sem 1	nl	Geert Opsomer	3

Legislation, Deontology, Professional Ethics and Practice Management	2	sem 1	nl	Sarne De Vliegher	5

Diseases of Birds and Exotic Animals	2	sem 1	nl	An Garmyn	3

1.2 General Clinical Education

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training II		2	sem 1	nl	Jimmy Saunders	4

2 Courses Related to the Main Subject

2.1 Elective Cluster

Subscribe to 1 cluster from the following list.

2.1.1

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Companion Animal Medicine I	2	sem 2	nl	Sylvie Daminet	4

Companion Animal Medicine II	2	sem 2	nl	Ann Van Soom	7

Advanced Course in Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Companion Animals	2	sem 2	nl	Hilde De Rooster	4

Complementary Course of Diseases of Birds and Exotic Animals	2	sem 2	nl	Frank Pasmans	3

2.1.2

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Equine Surgery and Medical Imaging	2	sem 2	nl,en,fr	Frederik Pille	5

Equine Medicine I	2	sem 2	nl	Gunther van Loon	5

Equine Medicine II	2	sem 2	nl,en,fr	Myriam Hesta	5

2.1.2.1 Module additional animal species

Subscribe to 3 credit units from the following list.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Companion Animal Medicine: Blended Package	2	sem 2	nl,en	Myriam Hesta	3

Ruminant Medicine: Blended Package	2	sem 2	nl	Bart Pardon	3

2.1.3 Cluster Production Animals

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Production Animal Medicine and Surgery	2	sem 2	nl,en	Lieven Vlaminck	4

Production Animal Herd Health Medicine I	2	sem 2	nl,en	Geert Opsomer	5

Production Animal Herd Health Medicine II	2	sem 2	nl,en	Jeroen Dewulf	6

2.1.3.1 Module additional animal species

Subscribe to 3 credit units from the following list.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Companion Animal Medicine: Blended Package	2	sem 2	nl,en	Myriam Hesta	3

Equine Medicine: Blended Package	2	sem 2	nl	Gunther van Loon	3

2.3

Subscribe to 20 credit units from 1 from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

2.3.1

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training III: Companion Animal Medicine		2	sem 2	nl	Pascale Smets	3

2.3.2

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training III: Horse Medicine		2	sem 2	nl,en,fr	Stijn Schauvliege	3

2.3.3

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training III: Production Animal Medicine		2	sem 2	nl,en	Bart Pardon	3

2.5 Master's thesis Research

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation II		2	year	nl	Pieter Cornillie	8

3 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no less than 3 and no more than 4 credit units from 3 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.4 Ghent University Courses

Subscribe to no more than 3 credit units from the study programmes of Ghent University,including the Ghent University Elective Courses. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Ghent University Elective Courses

Third year

(version 9 )

Course schedule 1st semester Course schedule 2nd semester

2 Courses Related to the Main Subject

2.2 Domain Research

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Development of Veterinary Drugs	3	sem 1	nl	Peter Geldhof	3

Cellular Biological and Molecular Techniques for Biomedical Research	3	sem 1	nl	Herman Favoreel	5

Scientific reasoning and communication	3	year	nl	Filip Van Immerseel	3

Laboratory Animal Science	3	sem 1	en	Katleen Hermans	4

2.3

Subscribe to 20 credit units from 1 from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

2.3.1

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training IV: Companion Animal Medicine		3	year	nl	Hilde De Rooster	17

2.3.2

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training IV: Horse Medicine		3	year	nl	Frederik Pille	17

2.3.3

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training IV: Ruminant Medicine		3	year	nl,en	Geert Opsomer	17

2.4

Subscribe to 9 credit units from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Externship Main Subject Companion Animal	3	year	nl	Ingeborgh Polis	9

Externship Main Subject Horse	3	year	nl,en	Katrien Smits	9

Externship Main Subject Ruminant	3	year		Lieven Vlaminck	9

2.5 Master's thesis Research

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation III Main Subject Research		3	year	nl	Pieter Cornillie	16

3 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no less than 3 and no more than 4 credit units from 3 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.1

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Animal Welfare, Law and Ethics	UKV	3	sem 2	nl	Sarne De Vliegher	3

Practice Management and entrepreneurship		3	sem 2	nl	Sarne De Vliegher	3

Tropical Veterinary Medicine		3	year	nl	Bruno Levecke	4

3.2 Electives Related to the Main Subject

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Porcine Herd Health Medicine		3	year	nl	Dominiek Maes	3

3.3

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Research Externship	3	year	nl	Ward De Spiegelaere	4

Advanced Externship	3	year		Katrien Smits	4

3.4 Ghent University Courses

Subscribe to no more than 3 credit units from the study programmes of Ghent University,including the Ghent University Elective Courses. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Ghent University Elective Courses

Full programme

(version 9 )

Print

1 General Courses 85

1.1 Common subjects of Master of Veterinary Medicine

77

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical and Communicative Skills III [nl]	1	year	nl	Annelies Decloedt	3

Bacterial and Myotic Diseases and Zoonoses	1	sem 1	nl	Frank Pasmans	4

Parasitic Diseases and Zoonoses	1	year	nl	Edwin Claerebout	5

Clinical Pharmacology	1	sem 1	nl	Mathias Devreese	4

Medical Imaging and Radioprotection	1	sem 1	nl	Jimmy Saunders	4

Viral Diseases, Prion Diseases and Zoonoses	1	sem 1	nl	Hans Nauwynck	4

Pathogenetics	1	sem 1	nl	Bart Broeckx	4

General Surgery II	1	sem 2	nl	Ann Martens	4

Toxicology	1	sem 2	nl	Siska Croubels	4

Domestic Animal Medicine	1	sem 2	nl	Bart Pardon	4

Organ Pathology	1	sem 2	nl	Koen Chiers	4

Veterinary Public Health IV: Food Safety and Control	1	sem 2	nl	Sarah Gabriël	5

Veterinary Public Health V: Externship and Practicals	2	year	nl	Sarah Gabriël	3

Advanced Course in Animal Surgery	2	sem 1	nl	Hilde De Rooster	4

Companion Animal Medicine and Reproduction	2	sem 1	nl	Sylvie Daminet	4

Large Animal Medicine	2	sem 1	nl	Gunther van Loon	3

Clinical and Communicative Skills IV	2	sem 1	nl	Annelies Decloedt	3

Large Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics	2	sem 1	nl	Geert Opsomer	3

Legislation, Deontology, Professional Ethics and Practice Management	2	sem 1	nl	Sarne De Vliegher	5

Diseases of Birds and Exotic Animals	2	sem 1	nl	An Garmyn	3

1.2 General Clinical Education

8

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training I	1	year	nl	Ann Martens	4

Clinical Training II	2	sem 1	nl	Jimmy Saunders	4

2 Courses Related to the Main Subject 92

2.1 Elective Cluster

18

Subscribe to 1 cluster from the following list.

2.1.1

18

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Companion Animal Medicine I	2	sem 2	nl	Sylvie Daminet	4

Companion Animal Medicine II	2	sem 2	nl	Ann Van Soom	7

Advanced Course in Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Companion Animals	2	sem 2	nl	Hilde De Rooster	4

Complementary Course of Diseases of Birds and Exotic Animals	2	sem 2	nl	Frank Pasmans	3

2.1.2

18

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Equine Surgery and Medical Imaging	2	sem 2	nl,en,fr	Frederik Pille	5

Equine Medicine I	2	sem 2	nl	Gunther van Loon	5

Equine Medicine II	2	sem 2	nl,en,fr	Myriam Hesta	5

2.1.2.1 Module additional animal species

3

Subscribe to 3 credit units from the following list.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Companion Animal Medicine: Blended Package	2	sem 2	nl,en	Myriam Hesta	3

Ruminant Medicine: Blended Package	2	sem 2	nl	Bart Pardon	3

2.1.3 Cluster Production Animals

18

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Production Animal Medicine and Surgery	2	sem 2	nl,en	Lieven Vlaminck	4

Production Animal Herd Health Medicine I	2	sem 2	nl,en	Geert Opsomer	5

Production Animal Herd Health Medicine II	2	sem 2	nl,en	Jeroen Dewulf	6

2.1.3.1 Module additional animal species

3

Subscribe to 3 credit units from the following list.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Companion Animal Medicine: Blended Package	2	sem 2	nl,en	Myriam Hesta	3

Equine Medicine: Blended Package	2	sem 2	nl	Gunther van Loon	3

2.2 Domain Research

15

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Development of Veterinary Drugs	3	sem 1	nl	Peter Geldhof	3

Cellular Biological and Molecular Techniques for Biomedical Research	3	sem 1	nl	Herman Favoreel	5

Scientific reasoning and communication	3	year	nl	Filip Van Immerseel	3

Laboratory Animal Science	3	sem 1	en	Katleen Hermans	4

2.3

20

Subscribe to 20 credit units from 1 from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

2.3.1

20

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training III: Companion Animal Medicine	2	sem 2	nl	Pascale Smets	3

Clinical Training IV: Companion Animal Medicine	3	year	nl	Hilde De Rooster	17

2.3.2

20

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training III: Horse Medicine	2	sem 2	nl,en,fr	Stijn Schauvliege	3

Clinical Training IV: Horse Medicine	3	year	nl	Frederik Pille	17

2.3.3

20

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Clinical Training III: Production Animal Medicine	2	sem 2	nl,en	Bart Pardon	3

Clinical Training IV: Ruminant Medicine	3	year	nl,en	Geert Opsomer	17

2.4

9

Subscribe to 9 credit units from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Externship Main Subject Companion Animal	3	year	nl	Ingeborgh Polis	9

Externship Main Subject Horse	3	year	nl,en	Katrien Smits	9

Externship Main Subject Ruminant	3	year		Lieven Vlaminck	9

2.5 Master's thesis Research

30

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation I: Statistics and Experimental Design	1	year	nl	Luc Duchateau	6

Master's Dissertation II	2	year	nl	Pieter Cornillie	8

Master's Dissertation III Main Subject Research	3	year	nl	Pieter Cornillie	16

3 Elective Courses 3

Subscribe to no less than 3 and no more than 4 credit units from 3 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.1

3

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Animal Welfare, Law and Ethics	UKV	3	sem 2	nl	Sarne De Vliegher	3

Practice Management and entrepreneurship		3	sem 2	nl	Sarne De Vliegher	3

Tropical Veterinary Medicine		3	year	nl	Bruno Levecke	4

3.2 Electives Related to the Main Subject

3

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Porcine Herd Health Medicine		3	year	nl	Dominiek Maes	3

3.3

4

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Research Externship	3	year	nl	Ward De Spiegelaere	4

Advanced Externship	3	year		Katrien Smits	4

3.4 Ghent University Courses

Subscribe to no more than 3 credit units from the study programmes of Ghent University,including the Ghent University Elective Courses. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Ghent University Elective Courses

Learning outcomes

To have insight into the causes and pathogenesis of infectious and non-infectious diseases in animals, including diseases of international importance that can pose a risk to national and international biosecurity and trade

To compile a case history, to conduct a clinical examination in domestic animals and to develop a (differential) diagnosis

To have knowledge of the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the most common disorders in the most common animal species

Requesting, conducting and interpreting additional examinations (including medical imaging) and laboratory examinations

Develop and implement a treatment and preventive strategy based on evidence-based veterinary literature

Provide assistance in an emergency situation and be able to administer first aid to the most common animal species

Performing and interpreting a autopsy on a domestic animal

Being able to perform a sedation safely as well as general and local anesthesia; implement chemical restriction methods, correctly assess and treat pain. To be able to consult the information sources about licensed veterinary medication and know the channels for reporting (suspected) side effects

Recognize when euthanasia is appropriate and properly administer it with respect for the animal and for the emotions of owners and others, ensuring the safety of those present, as well as advise on removal of the cadaver

Understanding and correctly applying veterinary legislation, biosafety principles and responsible use of antimicrobial (antibiotics and deworming) drugs

To have insight into and application of the veterinary and legal aspects of food safety in the monitoring of the food chain

To have knowledge and recognition of emerging and re-emerging diseases, transboundary epizootic diseases, zoonotic and food-borne diseases that can influence public health and food safety

Apply the principles of genetics in animal breeding, production and keeping

Applying the zootechnical principles in animal breeding and keeping

Interpreting the behavior of domestic animals

Evaluate animal welfare in all aspects of animal husbandry

Developing measures to improve animal welfare

To have knowledge of the veterinary legislation concerning animal care and animal welfare

Recognizing signs of abuse and being able to take appropriate action, as well as informing the relevant authorities.

To be able to assess and manage pain in animals

Being able to apply knowledge of practice management (business structures, financial management, ...)

To have knowledge of the principles of disease prevention and promotion of health and welfare

Advise on, and implement, preventive and eradication programmes appropriate to the species and in line with accepted animal health, welfare and public health standards

To be familiar with the current applications of artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine and veterinary management

Critically collect, analyze and synthesize international research results and use this data creatively in their own context

Compose a research question based on literature data and clinical data

Independently design, implement and adjust scientific research

Having insight into research methodology and being able to apply the most suitable techniques and methods in own research

Critically analyze own research results and correctly display these results in a report or publication

To have an insight into and apply the rules of scientific integrity

Analyze and solve clinical and scientific issues, even in case of incomplete or misleading information

Critical handling of scientific and clinical data

Demonstrate the ability of logical reasoning both in veterinary practice as in a broader scientific setting

Being convinced of and applying lifelong training in both a professional as in a broad intellectual context

Approaching scientific and clinical cases from multiple perspectives (multiperspectivism)

Being aware of personal and professional limitations and being able to find to the right professional support

Communicate the results of (own) scientific research and clinical examination in writing to colleagues and other higher educated people in Dutch or English

Communicate the results of (own) scientific research and clinical examination orally to colleagues and other higher educated people in Dutch and English

Communicate scientific and clinical information in a comprehensible manner to persons without a clear scientific background, including clients in a veterinary practice with respect for confidentiality and privacy

Function well in a team context, both with colleagues and in a multidisciplinary environment

Master basic skills to perform managerial and management tasks in a professional context

To be convinced of the added value of international contacts and exchanges

Possess communication skills in order to be able to deal with difficult situations in practice (unsatisfied customers, bad news conversation, ...)

Exhibit an ethical, professional and socially responsible behavior both inside and outside the veterinary environment

To be convinced of and to apply the social role of the veterinarian in all aspects of animal husbandry and food production

Having sufficient entrepreneurial spirit to develop a professional career

To be aware of the issue of animal welfare in society

To implement measures to promote the sustainability of veterinary medicine in particular and society in general

To be able to function in a multicultural context and to be convinced of the added value of diversity in both the profession and in society

Contribute to the advancement of veterinary knowledge and the concept of One Health, with the aim of promoting animal health and welfare, the quality of animal care and veterinary public health

Extra Information Academic Calendar

Departures from the Scheduled Academic Calendar for this Study Programme

Flexible Academic Calendar in the 2nd semester of the 2nd Master of Veterinary Medicine.

The courses will be, for each of the species-specific clusters (Pet, Horse, Utility Animal) taught in blocks spread over the 2nd semester.

The flexible aspect concerns:

The introduction of an evaluation period before the Easter holidays
Lessons during the exam period with a shortened exam period at the end of June

Work Placements and Clinics during Summer Recess Prior to Start of Academic Year

Internships / clinics can be organized in the summer recess of the current academic year (provided that these students are enrolled in the current academic year) for students who will include these internships / clinics in their curriculum in the following academic year.

Recognition Professional Qualifications

Law, Decree or European Guidelines the Study Programme complies with

This degree complies with the minimum training requirements for veterinarians relevant for the automatic recognition of their qualification throughout the EU as described in the EU Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications, i.e. article 38 of the Directive 2005/36/EC as amended by Directive 2013/55/EU (see Annex 1).
Further details are provided by the EU Directive 2005/36/EC Annex 5.4.1, which is currently being amended in the Directive 2013/55/EU by the EU Commission under the Delegated Act procedure

Legal Requirements regarding Professional Duties the Diploma complies with

European Directive Professional Qualifications 2005/36/EC

The study programme complies with the requirements concerning admission to the regulated profession of 'Dierenarts' as laid down in the Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union on the recognition of professional qualifications.