Regulations for The Master of Veterinary Studies - MVS

Official rules and regulations for the Master of Veterinary Studies. These regulations are for the 2025 intake to this qualification.

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Qualification Regulations

Part I

These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Degree of Master of Veterinary Studies requires that the candidate will:

(a) meet the University admission requirements as specified;

and

(b) have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with at least a B grade average, or equivalent.

2. Admission into the Master of Veterinary Studies (Advanced Veterinary Practice) requires that the candidate will:

(a) meet the University admission requirements as specified; and

(b) have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with at least a B grade average, or equivalent; and

(c) be selected into the programme on the basis of an interview.

Qualification requirements

3. Candidates for the Degree of Master of Veterinary Studies shall follow a flexible programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 180 credits, comprising:

(a) completion of Part One and Part Two as defined by the Schedule to the Degree;

(b) courses selected from the Schedule to the Degree;

and including:

(c) any compulsory courses listed in the Schedule to the Degree;

(d) at least 60 credits at 800 level;

(e) attending field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials and laboratories as required.

Specialisations

4. The Degree of Master of Veterinary Studies is awarded with or without a subject.

5. Candidates may complete a subject by passing at least 180 credits, including 60 credits at 800-level, in a subject. The requirements for each subject are set out in the Schedule to the Degree.

6. The subjects available are: Advanced Veterinary Practice, Conservation Veterinary Medicine*, Epidemiology*, Veterinary Pathology*, and Veterinary Public Health*.

*No new enrolments

Student progression

7. In cases of sufficient merit, the Degree of Master of Veterinary Studies may be awarded with Distinction or Merit.

8. For progression to Part Two of the Degree of Master of Veterinary Studies, candidates must have maintained at least a B grade average over the Part One courses.

Completion requirements

9. The timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates will apply.

10. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Science or Postgraduate Certificate in Science and Technology should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

11. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

Transitional provisions

12. In all cases candidates must complete the qualification within the timeframes for completion as specified in the Completion Requirements.

13. Subject to any Maximum Time to Completion regulations and the Abandonment of Studies provisions specified in the Part I regulations for the degree, candidates enrolled in the Master of Veterinary Studies prior to 1 January 2022 may proceed to Part Two on the basis of a minimum grade average of B over their first 60 credits of study, until 31 December 2025.

Schedule for the Master of Veterinary Studies

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Key terms for course planning
Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Part One (Choose at least 60 credits from)

Elective courses

700-level courses selected from the 117, 118, 194 course prefix series

Subjects

Advanced Veterinary Practice (180 credits)

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 118710 Advanced Veterinary Practice I 60 credits

An advanced course in a specified discipline of veterinary practice that includes supervised investigation, interpretation, diagnosis and management of cases. Students will develop a thorough understanding of knowledge within the discipline; the ability to source and critically evaluate existing knowledge to make evidence-based clinical decisions; and the ability to integrate theory with critical reflection of practice.

View full course details
Course code: 118711 Advanced Veterinary Practice II 60 credits

An advanced course in a selected discipline of veterinary practice that includes supervised investigation, interpretation, diagnosis and management of complex cases. Students will develop an advanced understanding of knowledge within the discipline; apply advanced diagnostic and technical skills; and critically reflect on their own practice and identify knowledge gaps.

View full course details
Course code: 118712 Advanced Studies in Veterinary Practice I 30 credits

An advanced course in a specified discipline of veterinary practice that includes supervised investigation, diagnosis and management of cases within the discipline. Students will develop a thorough knowledge of principles and practice in the relevant discipline, including the ability to make evidence-based clinical decisions.

View full course details
Course code: 118713 Advanced Studies in Veterinary Practice II 30 credits

An advanced course in a selected discipline of veterinary practice that includes supervised investigation, diagnosis and management of complex cases. Students will source and critically evaluate existing knowledge to make evidence-based clinical decisions; will integrate theory with critical reflection of practice; and will apply and synthesise advanced knowledge to evaluate and manage complex clinical cases.

View full course details

Conservation Veterinary Medicine (180 credits)

No new enrolments

This qualification is not accepting new enrolments.

Choose 90 credits from
Course code: 118785 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice 15 credits

Students will study the principles of veterinary epidemiology to provide them with the skills necessary to critically evaluate the literature for the purposes of evidence-based medicine. Examples and case studies will be drawn from a range of species including production animals, wildlife, companion animals and horses.

View full course details
Course code: 119728 Research Methods in Animal, Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences 15 credits

Research methods for students planning to undertake research in animal, veterinary, agricultural, horticultural or applied sciences, with a focus on experimental research designs. Topics include: philosophy of science; research ethics; literature search and review techniques; project development and management; scientific writing; oral presentation skills; vocabulary of statistics; introduction to quantitative data analysis; and completion of a research proposal.

Restrictions: 119729, 162760, 162761, 162762

View full course details
Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 118716 Analysis of Epidemiologic Data 30 credits

This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to undertake analysis of data in the health and biosecurity context. Throughout the course students will work with data collected during epidemiological studies (complete with missing data) and will learn how to interpret results in the light of bias, confounding, effect modification and model error.

Restrictions: 118721 and 195721

View full course details

Epidemiology (180 credits)

No new enrolments

This qualification is not accepting new enrolments.

Compulsory courses

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 118716 Analysis of Epidemiologic Data 30 credits

This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to undertake analysis of data in the health and biosecurity context. Throughout the course students will work with data collected during epidemiological studies (complete with missing data) and will learn how to interpret results in the light of bias, confounding, effect modification and model error.

Restrictions: 118721 and 195721

View full course details
Course code: 118785 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice 15 credits

Students will study the principles of veterinary epidemiology to provide them with the skills necessary to critically evaluate the literature for the purposes of evidence-based medicine. Examples and case studies will be drawn from a range of species including production animals, wildlife, companion animals and horses.

View full course details
Course code: 118786 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology 15 credits

Students will gain the skills necessary to design an epidemiological study in a clinical setting and investigate an outbreak of disease. Examples and case studies will be drawn from a range of species including production animals, wildlife, aquatic species, companion animals and horses.

Prerequisites: 118785 Restrictions: 118720, 118715, 118815

View full course details
Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 118705 Decision Making with Animal Health Data 15 credits

This course covers topics related to utilising health and economic data to make decisions around the control of animal health. The focus is on applying the principles of production monitoring, information management and decision-making processes at farm level in a practical way. A broader context is provided of the structure and operation of veterinary services, industry-level process control, and the importance of animal health economics.

Restrictions: 118722, 118718

View full course details
Course code: 118706 Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Epidemiologic Data 15 credits

This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to undertake the analysis of epidemiologic data that is clustered in space and time. Throughout the course students will work with data collected via epidemiologic studies or as part of surveillance and will learn how to visualise spatial and temporal patterns, describe and quantify those spatial and temporal patterns and explain the observed patterns.

Prerequisites: 118716 Restrictions: 118816, 118821

View full course details
Course code: 118708 Current Topics in Epidemiological Methods and Data Analysis 15 credits

An in-depth view of topics in epidemiology. Students will focus on issues related to the design and management of observational studies and learn one or more multivariable modelling approach for non-linear data.

Prerequisites: 118785, 118716 Restrictions: 118717, 118721

View full course details
Course code: 118854 Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Data Analysis 15 credits

The course focuses on advanced quantitative methods used to analyse data from epidemiologic studies.

Prerequisites: 118716, 118785 Restrictions: 118816, 118817, 118821

View full course details
Course code: 161743 Statistical Reliability and Survival Analysis 15 credits

Lifetime data occur in a wide variety of contexts: medical, demographic, industrial, economic. This course gives an introduction to the theory and practice of analysing lifetime data, commonly called survival analysis in medical contexts and reliability analysis in engineering.

View full course details

Veterinary Pathology (180 credits)

No new enrolments

This qualification is not accepting new enrolments.

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 118724 Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology 2 60 credits

An advanced course in anatomical pathology that includes supervised performance and reporting of necropsies, histopathology, cytology, and detailed study of selected cases.

Prerequisites: 118731 Restrictions: 116724

View full course details
Course code: 118731 Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology 1 60 credits

A course in veterinary diagnostic pathology, which includes supervised performance of necropsies, participation in the routine gross and histological examination of pathological material, and directed study of general pathology.

Restrictions: 116721

View full course details

Veterinary Public Health (180 credits)

No new enrolments

This qualification is not accepting new enrolments.

Choose 105 credits from
Course code: 118716 Analysis of Epidemiologic Data 30 credits

This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to undertake analysis of data in the health and biosecurity context. Throughout the course students will work with data collected during epidemiological studies (complete with missing data) and will learn how to interpret results in the light of bias, confounding, effect modification and model error.

Restrictions: 118721 and 195721

View full course details
Course code: 118726 Veterinary Public Health 60 credits

The application of veterinary science to the promotion of human health. Interrelations between agricultural practices and the environment significant to animal and human health. Food safety including undesirable residues and the HACCP concept. Food-borne diseases, zoonoses and emergence of diseases from animal reservoirs. The application of epidemiological principles to the investigation, prevention and control of diseases.

Restrictions: 116726

View full course details
Course code: 118785 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice 15 credits

Students will study the principles of veterinary epidemiology to provide them with the skills necessary to critically evaluate the literature for the purposes of evidence-based medicine. Examples and case studies will be drawn from a range of species including production animals, wildlife, companion animals and horses.

View full course details
Choose at least 15 credits from
Course code: 118705 Decision Making with Animal Health Data 15 credits

This course covers topics related to utilising health and economic data to make decisions around the control of animal health. The focus is on applying the principles of production monitoring, information management and decision-making processes at farm level in a practical way. A broader context is provided of the structure and operation of veterinary services, industry-level process control, and the importance of animal health economics.

Restrictions: 118722, 118718

View full course details
Course code: 118706 Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Epidemiologic Data 15 credits

This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to undertake the analysis of epidemiologic data that is clustered in space and time. Throughout the course students will work with data collected via epidemiologic studies or as part of surveillance and will learn how to visualise spatial and temporal patterns, describe and quantify those spatial and temporal patterns and explain the observed patterns.

Prerequisites: 118716 Restrictions: 118816, 118821

View full course details
Course code: 118708 Current Topics in Epidemiological Methods and Data Analysis 15 credits

An in-depth view of topics in epidemiology. Students will focus on issues related to the design and management of observational studies and learn one or more multivariable modelling approach for non-linear data.

Prerequisites: 118785, 118716 Restrictions: 118717, 118721

View full course details
Course code: 118786 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology 15 credits

Students will gain the skills necessary to design an epidemiological study in a clinical setting and investigate an outbreak of disease. Examples and case studies will be drawn from a range of species including production animals, wildlife, aquatic species, companion animals and horses.

Prerequisites: 118785 Restrictions: 118720, 118715, 118815

View full course details
Course code: 118854 Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Data Analysis 15 credits

The course focuses on advanced quantitative methods used to analyse data from epidemiologic studies.

Prerequisites: 118716, 118785 Restrictions: 118816, 118817, 118821

View full course details

Without Specialisation (180 credits)

Part One

60 to 120 credits from
Course code: 118705 Decision Making with Animal Health Data 15 credits

This course covers topics related to utilising health and economic data to make decisions around the control of animal health. The focus is on applying the principles of production monitoring, information management and decision-making processes at farm level in a practical way. A broader context is provided of the structure and operation of veterinary services, industry-level process control, and the importance of animal health economics.

Restrictions: 118722, 118718

View full course details
Course code: 118706 Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Epidemiologic Data 15 credits

This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to undertake the analysis of epidemiologic data that is clustered in space and time. Throughout the course students will work with data collected via epidemiologic studies or as part of surveillance and will learn how to visualise spatial and temporal patterns, describe and quantify those spatial and temporal patterns and explain the observed patterns.

Prerequisites: 118716 Restrictions: 118816, 118821

View full course details
Course code: 118708 Current Topics in Epidemiological Methods and Data Analysis 15 credits

An in-depth view of topics in epidemiology. Students will focus on issues related to the design and management of observational studies and learn one or more multivariable modelling approach for non-linear data.

Prerequisites: 118785, 118716 Restrictions: 118717, 118721

View full course details
Course code: 118716 Analysis of Epidemiologic Data 30 credits

This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to undertake analysis of data in the health and biosecurity context. Throughout the course students will work with data collected during epidemiological studies (complete with missing data) and will learn how to interpret results in the light of bias, confounding, effect modification and model error.

Restrictions: 118721 and 195721

View full course details
Course code: 118726 Veterinary Public Health 60 credits

The application of veterinary science to the promotion of human health. Interrelations between agricultural practices and the environment significant to animal and human health. Food safety including undesirable residues and the HACCP concept. Food-borne diseases, zoonoses and emergence of diseases from animal reservoirs. The application of epidemiological principles to the investigation, prevention and control of diseases.

Restrictions: 116726

View full course details
Course code: 118757 Cardiorespiratory Medicine for Small Animal Veterinarians 15 credits

The principles and practice of cardiorespiratory medicine in dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of cardiac and respiratory disease.

Restrictions: 195757

View full course details
Course code: 118785 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice 15 credits

Students will study the principles of veterinary epidemiology to provide them with the skills necessary to critically evaluate the literature for the purposes of evidence-based medicine. Examples and case studies will be drawn from a range of species including production animals, wildlife, companion animals and horses.

View full course details
Course code: 118786 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology 15 credits

Students will gain the skills necessary to design an epidemiological study in a clinical setting and investigate an outbreak of disease. Examples and case studies will be drawn from a range of species including production animals, wildlife, aquatic species, companion animals and horses.

Prerequisites: 118785 Restrictions: 118720, 118715, 118815

View full course details
Course code: 118854 Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Data Analysis 15 credits

The course focuses on advanced quantitative methods used to analyse data from epidemiologic studies.

Prerequisites: 118716, 118785 Restrictions: 118816, 118817, 118821

View full course details
Course code: 119728 Research Methods in Animal, Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences 15 credits

Research methods for students planning to undertake research in animal, veterinary, agricultural, horticultural or applied sciences, with a focus on experimental research designs. Topics include: philosophy of science; research ethics; literature search and review techniques; project development and management; scientific writing; oral presentation skills; vocabulary of statistics; introduction to quantitative data analysis; and completion of a research proposal.

Restrictions: 119729, 162760, 162761, 162762

View full course details
Course code: 161743 Statistical Reliability and Survival Analysis 15 credits

Lifetime data occur in a wide variety of contexts: medical, demographic, industrial, economic. This course gives an introduction to the theory and practice of analysing lifetime data, commonly called survival analysis in medical contexts and reliability analysis in engineering.

View full course details
Elective courses
Course code: 118751 Canine and Feline Gastroenterology 15 credits

The principles of gastroenterology of dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of the alimentary system.

Restrictions: 195751

View full course details
Course code: 118752 Canine and Feline Endocrinology 15 credits

The principles of endocrinology of dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of the endocrine glands.

Restrictions: 195752

View full course details
Course code: 118753 Canine and Feline Oncology 15 credits

The principles of oncology of dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of neoplastic disease.

Restrictions: 195753

View full course details
Course code: 118754 Diagnostic Imaging for Small Animal Veterinarians 15 credits

The principles of diagnostic imaging in small animal practice for veterinary graduates. Principles of radiography and other imaging modalities. Radiologic interpretation of all body systems, primarily of dogs and cats, and integration with case management.

Restrictions: 195754

View full course details
Course code: 118755 Clinical Pathology in Small Animal Practice 15 credits

The principles of clinical pathology in dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. It includes the indications, application and interpretation of haematological, biochemical, urine, cytological and special testing of dogs and cats.

Restrictions: 195755

View full course details
Course code: 118756 Canine and Feline Neurology 15 credits

The principles of neurology in dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of the nervous system.

Restrictions: 195756

View full course details
Course code: 118758 Avian Medicine 15 credits

The principles and practice of avian medicine in companion birds and aviary collections, for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of birds.

Restrictions: 195758

View full course details
Course code: 118759 Ophthalmology in Small Animal Practice 15 credits

The principles of ophthalmology in dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of the eye.

Restrictions: 195759

View full course details
Course code: 118761 Canine and Feline Emergency Medicine 15 credits

The principles and practice of emergency medicine in dogs and cats for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of conditions seen in emergency practice.

View full course details
Course code: 118762 Dermatology for Small Animal Veterinarians 15 credits

The principles of dermatology in dogs and cats for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of skin diseases.

View full course details
Course code: 118763 Canine and Feline Orthopedic Surgery 15 credits

The principles and practice of orthopaedic surgery in dogs and cats for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of orthopaedic diseases.

View full course details
Course code: 118764 Canine and Feline Soft Tissue Surgery 15 credits

The principles and practice of soft tissue surgery in dogs and cats for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of soft tissue diseases.

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Course code: 118771 Advances in Ruminant Nutrition for Veterinarians 15 credits

An advanced course on ruminant nutrition and feeding practices for veterinarians. Principles of microbial digestion in the rumen, absorption and utilisation of nutrients. Practical nutrition for enhancement of animals’ performance and health, including critical study of the evaluation of feeds, feed intakes and nutrient requirements. Practical assessments of animal and feed resources; ration formulation. Current developments in ruminant feeding technologies, including genetic modification of feeds and rumen flora.

Restrictions: 151705, 117761

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Course code: 118772 Calf Medicine, Health and Management 15 credits

An advanced course on specific aspects of calf rearing, health management and medicine for veterinarians. A critical study of the systems and environments utilised in calf rearing, nutrient and health requirements with respect to disease prevention, herd biosecurity, health, welfare and productivity.

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Course code: 118775 Advanced Mastitis Management for the Production Animal Veterinarian 15 credits

An advanced course on mastitis for production animal veterinarians. This course will provide in-depth study of mastitis causing agents and their treatment and control within the herd and at an individual level. It will address the epidemiology of disease, mastitis prevention, herd biosecurity, herd/animal health, welfare and productivity.

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Course code: 118776 Lameness Investigation and Control for Cattle Veterinarians 15 credits

An advanced course on cattle lameness for veterinarians. This course will provide in-depth study of lameness diagnosis, treatment and control within the herd. It will address the epidemiology of disease, lameness prevention, herd biosecurity, welfare and productivity.

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Course code: 118777 Veterinary Clinical Reproduction and Fertility 15 credits

An advanced course on clinical reproduction for veterinarians. Comparative veterinary reproductive anatomy, physiology, and technology across a range of species. In-depth study of reproductive management in a nominated elective species. Use of scientific literature to inform decision making on reproductive issues.

Restrictions: 117767

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Course code: 118791 Special Topic 15 credits
Course code: 118792 Special Topic 30 credits
Course code: 118793 Special Topic 60 credits
Courses from the 117, 118 and 194 course prefix series
Part Two
Either 120 credits
Course code: 118897 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

View full course details
Course code: 118898 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

Corequisites: 118897

View full course details
Course code: 118899 Thesis 120 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

View full course details
Or 60 credits
Course code: 118811 Research Report 60 credits

A detailed examination of a specific topic within the field of study of the candidate, approved by the Chief Supervisor in advance, which may include aspects of original research, problem investigation, and/or study of pre-existing data or published literature.

View full course details

Part Two

Either 120 credits

Course code: 118897 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

View full course details
Course code: 118898 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

Corequisites: 118897

View full course details
Course code: 118899 Thesis 120 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

View full course details

Or 60 credits

Course code: 118811 Research Report 60 credits

A detailed examination of a specific topic within the field of study of the candidate, approved by the Chief Supervisor in advance, which may include aspects of original research, problem investigation, and/or study of pre-existing data or published literature.

View full course details

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