Bachelor Veterinary Medicine

The Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Bern offers an integrated Bologna study program in Veterinary Medicine as well as several doctoral programs.

Veterinary Medicine covers the following areas:

  • Measures that promote the health and well-being of animals: breeding, husbandry, nutrition, treatment
  • Research, prevention, and treatment of diseases
  • Protection of humans from harm caused by animal diseases
  • Control of food products of animal origin
  • Issues related to animal and environmental protection

All relevant information on admission, content, and structure of the study program can be found in the factsheets here.

Labor
Vetsuisse
Basisinformationen
Abschluss: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Universität Bern     
Umfang: 180 ECTS
Angebot: Mono 180 ECTS      
Studiendauer: 6 Semester
Unterrichtssprache: Deutsch
Studienbeginn: Herbstsemester

Study Content

The Bachelor's program provides students with essential foundational knowledge in basic sciences such as physics, chemistry, and general biology, as well as biomedical and veterinary basics that serve as the foundation for subsequent years of study.

Additionally, students explore aspects of animal welfare and develop a scientifically grounded understanding of animal husbandry and utilization. With the new curriculum, the Bachelor's program now incorporates a stronger practical focus, familiarizing students with the fundamental principles of veterinary thinking and practice.

Program Structure

1st year Bachelor

In the first year of the Bachelor's program, foundational knowledge in natural sciences, biomedicine, and veterinary medicine is provided:

Basic natural science subjects Chemistry, Radiation Physics, General Radiology, Physics
Morphological Foundations I+II  Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System + Anatomy, General Histology and Cytology, Embryology, Comparative Morphology
Functional Foundations of Veterinary Medicine I  General Pathology, Biochemistry, Classical Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology
Animal Welfare and Well-being, Animal Ethology and Husbandry Animal Welfare, Animal Ethology, Animal Ethics, Fundamentals of Herd and Population Medicine
Training in Practical Skills I  Introduction to General Surgery, Hospital Hygiene and Safety Aspects, Teamwork, Communication, Handling of Different Animal Species, Clinical Case Demonstrations
Introduction to Scientific Work Literature Research, Evidence-Based Medicine
Elective Modules Digitalization, Sustainability and Resilience

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additionally, various courses at the University of Bern can be taken as electives.

2nd and 3rd year Bachelor

In the second and third years of study, teaching continues in other foundational veterinary medicine subjects while beginning the study of organ systems in domestic animals.

Foundational veterinary medicine subjects

 Bacteriology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Animal Nutrition, Biochemistry, Physiology, Animal Husbandry, Infectiology, Pathology, Immunology, Virology, Parasitology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Population Medicine in the field of Animal Health.

Practical skills training

 Practical courses in general surgery, communication skills training, propaedeutics for various animal species, clinical/practice/paraclinical days as well as night and emergency services. Students can then independently apply and practice what they have learned in the Skills Lab.

Organ-centered interdisciplinary modules ("organ blocks")

In organ blocks, knowledge about healthy and pathological conditions in various animal species is taught. Students learn to recognize symptoms of different clinical conditions and apply therapeutic interventions.

Modules in the 2nd year:

  • Organ Block Musculoskeletal System
  • Organ Block Blood, Immune Organs and Laboratory Medicine
  • Organ Block Respiration and Cardiovascular System
  • Organ Block Skin

Modules in the 3rd year:

  • Organ Block Digestive System
  • Organ Block Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Organ Block Kidney and Water-Salt Balance
  • Organ Block Reproduction and Mammary Gland
  • Organ Block Nervous System and Sensory Organs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessments

Students are regularly assessed according to the Bologna-based ECTS system and local university regulations.

The assessments are defined in the study plan. Information about the examinations can be found on the central teaching and learning platform ILIAS of the University of Bern.

Assessments can be repeated twice, allowing a total of three attempts.

The first year of study is an assessment year with a two-year deadline within which students must acquire all credits, regardless of whether all options for retaking exams have been exhausted.

In principle, all ECTS credits of a study year must be acquired before progressing to the next academic year.

To obtain the Bachelor's degree, all assessments must be successfully completed.

The Master's program can only be started after successful completion of the Bachelor's degree.

Any exclusion from the study program applies to both locations of the Vetsuisse Faculty (Bern and Zurich).

Registration for Courses and Assessments:

Student registration for courses and assessments in the Core Teaching System (CTS) of the University of Bern is carried out by the student affairs office.

After the Bachelor

Students who have obtained a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine continue their studies with the consecutive Master of Veterinary Medicine and aim to achieve a veterinary diploma.