Welcome to the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, & Electron Microscope Unit

The Anatomy Section

The Anatomy Section is responsible for teaching undergraduate- and postgraduate macroscopical and microscopical anatomy to veterinary science and nursing students. The undergraduate teaching programme includes the Electron Microscope Unit canine anatomy in the VAP 300 module presented to the BSc (VetBiol) III students and comparative anatomy of equine, ruminants, porcine, birds and fish in the VCA 400 module presented to the BVSc I students. MSc and PhD programmes in veterinary anatomy are presented in the department. Various postgraduate anatomy courses are also presented to students registered for the specialist MMedVet degree.
The main focus of research in the department is on the anatomy of wild animals and the reproductive biology of birds and mammals 

The Physiology Section

The Veterinary Physiology Section is responsible for teaching and research in basic and applied physiology and physiological chemistry. A complete course in fundamental animal physiology and physiological chemistry is taught in the VAP 300 module presented to the BSc (VetBiol) III students, followed by a course in Applied Physiology in the BVSc I year. It is problem-based and focuses the student on the holistic approach to treating the whole animal. The Section also teaches a fundamental course in Physiology and Physiological Chemistry to the first-year DipVet student nurses.
Research areas are focused upon metabolic adaptation of indigenous sheep and goats, water and electrolyte balance in sheep, and certain facets of nanotechnology.
     
Specialized laboratories include:

The Electron Microscope Unit (EMU)

The ElectronMicroscope Unit provides a quality diagnostic service, research support and training in all aspects of electron microscopy to the veterinary community.
The EMU was established at the Faculty of Veterinary Science in 1976 and refurbished in 1991 with the installation of a Philips CM10 transmission electron microscope, a Philips XL20 scanning electron microscope and the revelant ancillary equipment