INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY: Classroom and Laboratory

GRADING SYSTEM: The Veterinary Technology courses use the following scale for determination of final grades:

A = 92-100%                           

B = 83-91%                             

C = 75-82%

D= 60-74%

F = below 60%

A grade of 75% or above is required for both lecture and lab to pass any subject area.

Grade of D is allowed for ACC records, but will disqualify students for progression through the program.  Due to the nature of the program, you would not be able to take the class again until the following academic year – if there is space available.  You must pass the lecture, lab, and kennel duty portions with a 75% or above to pass the class.  If you have a 75% or above in all portions, the grades will be combined to calculate your final grade.  Final grades are not rounded.

This class has essential skills associated with it. These are set by our accrediting body, the CVTEA. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that these skills are successfully completed in the presence of program faculty and documented in Salthouse by the end of the semester.

Before a student may progress to a subsequent semester, the student must demonstrate proficiency in the essential skill(s) required of each class.  Duplicate essential skills requirements may be present in multiple classes or semesters, and students may be required to demonstrate proficiency in essential skills multiple times.  At the sole discretion of the instructor, exceptions to the above requirements may be granted in the event that insufficient time exists to adequately teach one or more essential skills. If a student fails to complete any assigned skill for the semester, the case will be reviewed by the instructor(s) and program chair to determine the student's progression.

METHOD OF EVALUATION:  

15 % Assignments, quizzes and presentations

45 % Exams

25 % Laboratory

15 % Final

**(Assignments/quizzes, exams and final are all part of your lecture grade)

***NOTE:  You must pass both the lab and lecture portion with a 75% or above to pass the class. If you have above a 75% in both, the grades will be combined for your final grade.   Final grades for each portion are not rounded.

Late Assignment Policy:  Assignments are expected to be turned in on time.  If for some reason you are not able to get it turned in on time you can submit the next business day for a 50% deduction. The assignment can be submitted in person or scanned and emailed to the instructor. 

Absences:  All students are expected to be in class or lab on time.  If a class or lab is missed, it is considered either excused or unexcused by the instructor.  An absence will be determined by the following criteria.

Excused absences refer to unavoidable circumstances that prevent a student from attending class/lab on time that could not have been previously prevented by the student.                                           Examples include illness, medical emergency, death in the family.

Unexcused absences refer to circumstances that prevent a student from attending class/lab on time that could have previously been prevented by the student.                                                                    Examples include vacation, oversleeping, work.

Only 2 excused absences will be permitted each semester.  All absences thereafter will be reported as unexcused and will result in a loss of credit for the lecture or lab.

Exam Policy:  You are expected to take all exams when scheduled. Exams for this class will be given during class using Blackboard.
To take an exam at a time other than the scheduled time in which it is given, the absence must be considered an excused absence by the instructor. Written evidence must be presented.  If you miss an exam, arrangements must be made up within a week of when it was given. If it is not taken by that time, you will receive a zero for that exam. Only one exam may be made up during this course.  If more than one exam is missed, you will receive a zero on all other missed exams. 

COURSE POLICIES:

Attendance/Class Participation: Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students.

For each time a student is late for:

• Lab - 10pts will be deducted from the overall Lab grade
• Lecture - 10pts will be deducted from the overall Lecture grade

If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Laboratories are critical.   If a lab is missed and it is considered an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to schedule with the instructor any possible make-up of skills or material missed.  Arrangements to make up the missed laboratory material must be scheduled within 1 week of the missed lab. Communication is key!  If a lab is missed because of an unexcused absence, 10% will be deducted from the overall Lab Grade and no make-up lab will be given.

3 missed labs will result in a 70% in the lab portion of the class.  This is below the 75% needed to pass the lab and will result in failure of the course.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date.

The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

            April 24, 2023 is the final withdrawal date.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.”

Incompletes 

An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all
of the objectives for the passing grade in a course. You will not be able to carry an incomplete beyond the final deadline for withdrawal in the next semester of the program.

“Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians”, Margi Sirois, 7th ed.

“Laboratory Manual for Procedures for Veterinary Technicians”, Margi Sirois, 7th ed.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:    Veterinary Clinical Pathology I is a lecture and laboratory survey of clinical pathology in the veterinary practice.  Major topics to be covered include: laboratory safety and design, operation of lab equipment, quality control in the private practice laboratory, laboratory math, collection and processing of lab samples, hematology and coagulation, blood chemistry, urinalysis, and introduction to cytological techniques. This course includes an in-depth study of hematology and blood chemistries with emphasis on lab procedures.

COURSE RATIONALE:  This is an intermediate level course for students in the Veterinary Technology program at Austin Community College. . The purpose is to help the student develop a clear understanding and appreciation of the complex nature of veterinary clinical pathology. This course will prepare students with the knowledge and experience required to work successfully in the veterinary hospital laboratory.  Students will also be prepared to continue their education in the veterinary technology program. 

COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Prepare specimens for diagnostic analysis
2. Select and maintain laboratory equipment
3. Implement quality control measures
4. Ensure safety of patients, clients and staff
5. Perform urinalysis:

• Determine physical properties (color, clarity, specific gravity)
• Test chemical properties
• Examine and identify sediment

1. Perform CBC:

• hemoglobin
• packed cell volume
• total protein
• white cell count
• red cell count

1. Perform microscopic exam of blood film:

• prepare film and stain using a variety of techniques
• perform leukocyte differential – normal and abnormal
• evaluate erythrocyte morphology – normal and abnormal
• estimate platelet numbers
• calculate absolute values
• correct white blood cell counts for nucleated cells

1. Calculate hematologic indices
2. Perform blood chemistry tests (BUN, glucose, common enzymes)
3.  Identify blood parasites:

• Dirofilaria sp/Dipetalonema sp – antigen kit, direct, filter
• Hemotropic Mycoplasma sp

1. Perform blood typing and cross-matching
2. Perform blood chemistry tests (BUN, glucose, common enzymes)