VETS20019 Frontiers in Veterinary Science
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 50%
- About 5 class hours a week
Is VETS20019 hard?
VETS20019: About average. Makes it easier: Reviewers say the workload is light. Makes it harder: 5 class hours a week. The easier and harder points roughly balance out.
What you learn
Big issues in animal health: welfare, diseases passed to humans, antibiotic resistance, biosecurity and vets' roles.
After it you can
- Describe what shapes animal health
- Explain how animal health affects human health
- Evaluate animal management and welfare problems
What you need first
(BIOL10008 and BIOL10010) or (BIOL10009 and BIOL10011) or (BIOL10004 and BIOL10005)
Take in the same semester or earlier
BIOM20001 or (BIOL10008 and BIOL10010) or (BIOL10009 and BIOL10011) or (BIOL10004 and BIOL10005)
- BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
- BIOL10010 Foundational Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOL10011 Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOL10002 Biomolecules and Cells
- CHEM10006 Chemistry for Biomedicine
- BIOM10002 Exploring Biomedicine
What it leads to
- VETS30016 Veterinary Bioscience: Digestive System
- VETS30029 Veterinary Bioscience: Cells to Systems
- VETS30030 Introduction to Professional Practice
- VETS30031 Animal Production Systems 1
- VETS30033 Health & Disease in Wildlife Populations
How it’s assessed
Reports and essays 30%, Quizzes 20%, Final exam 50%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 4 students on StudentVIP (2021–2024)
- It is well structured, with weekly case studies that reviewers found engaging and worth attending.
- The workload is light compared with other biology subjects, and the multiple-choice quizzes are fairly easy marks.
- The short-answer exam and the essay are tougher; the exam can be tight on time.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate VETS20019
Quick answers
- When is VETS20019 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking VETS20019?
- Needs (BIOL10008 and BIOL10010) or (BIOL10009 and BIOL10011) or (BIOL10004 and BIOL10005). Must be taken before or alongside it: BIOM20001 or (BIOL10008 and BIOL10010) or (BIOL10009 and BIOL10011) or (BIOL10004 and BIOL10005).
- Does VETS20019 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. Assessment: Reports and essays 30%, Quizzes 20%, Final exam 50%.
- Is VETS20019 hard?
- From 4 student reviews on StudentVIP: It is well structured, with weekly case studies that reviewers found engaging and worth attending.
- What do students say about VETS20019?
- It is well structured, with weekly case studies that reviewers found engaging and worth attending. The workload is light compared with other biology subjects, and the multiple-choice quizzes are fairly easy marks. The short-answer exam and the essay are tougher; the exam can be tight on time.
- How many class hours a week does VETS20019 have?
- 5 h a week in class
- Can I take VETS20019 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Music.
- What can I take after VETS20019?
- 5 subjects need it first, for example VETS30016, VETS30029, VETS30030, VETS30031.
- Can I rate VETS20019?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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