Australian College of Veterinary Scientists

Advance the science and art of veterinary anaesthesiology, emergency and critical care;
Further the professional education and training of veterinary anaesthetists;
Facilitate the exchange of knowledge between veterinary anaesthetists;
Encourage exchange of knowledge with and collaborative work with human anaesthetists and other medical biological scientists;
Encourage publications in the sphere of anaesthetists and acquire, maintain, employ and dispose of such real and personal property and to organise services which will further the above aims.

To advance the understanding and application of animal behaviour principles. This is both a science and an art.

The Veterinary Behaviour Chapter aims to foster the interest of veterinarians in the understanding of animal behaviour. This aim is met by working within the College to provide an examination process that allows recognition of further study in the field of animal behaviour.

In addition the Chapter is responsible for the organisation of Fellowship examinations. Success at these rigorous examinations allows eligibility for specialist registration.

The Chapter is a special interest group that aims to bring together veterinary graduates who have an active interest in reproduction across all species. The Chapter is relatively new having formed in 1998. The membership level examination expects knowledge of reproductive processes in all domestic species. Fellowship level examination is available within an individual species. An annual meeting to coincide with the College Science week is planned each year. Presentation of clinical case material, current research or topical issues at the meeting is encouraged. The meeting provides an opportunity to present and actively discuss all aspects of comparative reproduction. Members of the Chapter usually have an individual species that is of particular interest to them, but discussing reproductive processes across a range of species in a more biological context is very useful in an attempt to understand the many factors that may influence reproduction. Membership of the Chapter is open to all members of the College that have a fascination with reproduction.

The Animal Welfare Chapter has been established to provide a forum for the training of veterinarians to a detailed knowledge and above average competence in animal welfare in all species. This capability will be drawn from a broad base of knowledge across all body systems. Course content includes, The Ethics of Animal Use, Physiological and Psychological Aspects of Adverse States, Animal Environments, The Veterinary Profession's Role in Animal Welfare, Veterinary Aspects of Animal Welfare, Specific Welfare Issues, Legislation and Animal Welfare and Human - Animal Relationships. Membership in this subject equips veterinarians to understand the scientific basis for optimum animal welfare and to be able to reason and debate coherently the legal and ethical aspects of animal welfare.

The Aquatic Animal Health Chapter has been established to promote excellence in the diagnosis, treatment and prevent of diseases of aquatic animals with particular emphasis on those species which are kept for aquaculture or otherwise commercially exploited.

To advance the science and art of veterinary science as it relates specifically to aquatic animals and in particular to encourage and aid recruitment to the discipline, the College and the Chapter.
To further the professional education and training of veterinarians with a special interest in aquatic animal health.
To encourage research in aquatic animal health.
To facilitate the exchange of knowledge between veterinarians with a special interest in aquatic animal health
To encourage exchange of knowledge with and collaborative work with other
scientists working in the field of aquatic animal health.
To encourage publications in the sphere of aquatic animal health
To acquire, maintain, employ and dispose of such real and personal property and to organise such services as will further the above aims.

The objects of the Chapter are:
To provide the means of entry to the College for those specialising in Avian Health.
To provide a means of accreditation for avian health veterinarians
To advance the science and art of avian health
To facilitate the exchange of knowledge between avian health veterinarians
To encourage exchange of knowledge with and collaborative work with other biological scientists in the field of avian health
To encourage publication in the sphere of avian health
To acquire, maintain, employ and dispose of such real and personal property and to organise such services as will further the above aims.

The Cattle Chapter is the branch of the college made up of veterinarians who have a particular interest in dairy/ beef cattle medicine and production and ruminant nutrition.
The Chapter is run by an executive committee elected by members of the chapter annually.
The broad aims of the chapter are:

CHAPTER OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

Under Article 4 of the Chapter Constitutions the objectives are listed as follows:

To advance the science and art of equine practice
To further the professional education and training of veterinarians in all aspects of equine diseases
To facilitate the exchange of knowledge between equine veterinarians
To encourage original research and publication on all matters of equine diseases
To establish a set of standards and guidelines for post-graduate training to assist members in attaining qualification consistent with current international standards of the profession.
To encourage exchange of knowledge with and collaborative work with other disciplines and other Chapters, and with other medical biological scientists.

To acquire, maintain, employ and dispose of such real and personal property and to organise such services as will further the above aims.

Membership of the Chapter is open to all Members and Fellows of the College with interest in Equine Medicine, Surgery, Reproduction, Anaesthesia, Radiology etc.

To advance the science and art of veterinary science as it relates specifically to Feline Medicine.
To further the professional education and training of veterinarians with a special interest in Feline Medicine.
To encourage research in disease of the Feline.
To facilitate the exchange of knowledge between veterinarians with a special interest in Feline Medicine.
To encourage exchange of knowledge with and collaborative work with other scientists working in the field of Feline Medicine.
To encourage publications in the sphere of Feline Medicine.
To acquire, maintain, employ and dispose of such real and personal property and to organise such services as will further the above aims.

The Chapter comprises a group of veterinarians unified in an aim of solving and improving the treatment of eye problems in animals. It provides a forum for discussion, debate and furthering the understanding of eye diseases through regular meetings. The Chapter is a voice by which information can be disseminated to interested chapters, veterinarians and non-veterinarians. The Chapter would seek to provide expertise through its fellows in assisting in the training and examination of fellowship candidates.

The Chapter of Pathobiology aims to foster the interests and aspirations of individuals whose careers are in a group of veterinary disciplines concerned with the causes, pathogenesis and diagnosis of disease. As such, the Chapter embraces the veterinary disciplines of pathology, clinical pathology, parasitology, microbiology (including virology), and immunology.

Membership and Fellowship of the Chapter is achieved by undertaking a training programme and successfully completing examinations which accredit the member or fellow with substantial accomplishments in one of the above areas. A membership would be based on a sound grasp of the tenets of general pathology. A Fellow of the Chapter would be eligible to apply for specialist registration. The requirements for a fellowship training programme are currently under review by the Fellowship Training and Credentials Committee of the College but would include documentation of case reports, scholarly publications and a diary of supervision.

In addition, the Chapter promotes contact and the dissemination of information between members and maintains contact with the other organisations.

VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY CHAPTER

The aims of the Chapter are to:

Advance the science and art of veterinary science as it relates specifically to Veterinary Dermatology and in particular to encourage and aid recruitment to the College and the Chapter.
Provide continual improvement in practice standards and knowledge of Veterinary Dermatology and to further the professional education and training of veterinarians with a special interest in dermatology.
Encourage scientific investigation and research in the field of Veterinary Dermatology, and a contribution to published professional literature.
Encourage individuals to undertake examination at the Fellowship levels in Veterinary Dermatology
Facilitate the exchange of knowledge between veterinarians with a special interest in dermatology.
Encourage the veterinary teaching institutions to develop appropriate, professional teaching programs in order to produce graduates with a higher standard of competency and training in this field.
Encourage exchange of knowledge with and collaborative work with other scientists working in the field of dermatology.
Endow its members with a sense of camaraderie and purpose.

CHAPTER OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY

The advancement of the study and understanding of veterinary pharmacology so that the discipline can be applied more effectively for the welfare of animals and man. "Veterinary Pharmacology" embraces chemotherapy, product research and development, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug legislation, clinical pharmacology, toxicology and applied immunology.

The provision of advice on veterinary pharmacology to the College, other organisations and individual veterinarians and to act as a conduit for the exchange of knowledge between works in the field.

The support of continuing education and post-graduate training in veterinary pharmacology.

The encouragement and assistance of prospective members in their preparation for examination by the College.
The Chapter's activities include organising Scientific Meetings, encouraging publication of veterinary pharmacology articles, and conducting the Veterinary Pharmacology Study course for examination preparation by membership candidates.

The Chapter of Radiology is a special interest group whose purpose is to foster an interest in diagnostic imaging procedures in veterinary practice. Membership level examinations are designed to encourage interested veterinary practitioners to improve the base level of their radiographic skills, theoretical knowledge and film reading ability. After successful completion of the membership examination they may be eligible to prepare for fellowship examination. A fellow in radiology is eligible to apply for Board registration to practice as a specialist veterinary radiologist. An executive committee meets regularly to oversee the activities of the Chapter. There is a scientific meeting every second year to discuss recent advances in veterinary radiology and a regular newsletter keeps members of the Chapter informed of all Chapter activities.

The Chapter aims to foster the interest of veterinarians in the understanding of small animal diseases. This aim is met by working within the College to provide an examination process that allows recognition of further study in the field of small animal medicine. Members should be familiar with pathophysiological mechanisms, aetiology, diagnosis, and case management of small animal disease. The Chapter:

In addition the Chapter is responsible for the organisation of Fellowship examinations. Success at these rigorous examinations allows eligibility for specialist registration.
Intending candidates may be examined in either canine medicine or small animal medicine to gain entry to the Chapter.

To advance the science and art of veterinary surgery.
To further the professional education and training of veterinary surgeons.
To facilitate the exchange of knowledge between veterinary surgeons.
To encourage original research and publication in veterinary surgery.
To encourage the establishment of training programmes in surgery, e.g. residency, internships, etc.
To establish guidelines for surgical training towards specialist qualifications.
To encourage exchange of knowledge, and collaborative work, with other College chapters, human surgeons and other medical and biological scientists.
These aims are met by working within the College to provide:
Support and guidance for prospective members by the mentor system.
Examinations and examiners for Membership and Fellowship candidates
Newsletters to disseminate relevant information to members
Support for members in preparation of material for publication or presentation.
A forum for presentation of material to peers at regular scientific meetings