Participants are required to obtain a total of 25 ECTS in coursework. Coursework means active participation in classroom work, practical training, tutorials, and on-line assignments (distance learning), self-study and passing examinations. 5 days of coursework (about 40 hours) generate a total of 120-140 hours of students’ work. With one ECTS equaling 25 hours of students work, a 5-day course is assigned 5 ECTS, regardless of the subject since all courses are of the same standard. It is important to note that credits are only given for work which has been validated by a formal examination.

To obtain the CASVM / Exotic Pets Medicine, a total of 25 ECTS credits have to be acquired in major and minor subjects. Of those, a minimum of 20 ECTS credits have to be earned in the major subjects Exotic Pets and Small Mammal Medicine. The remaining 5 ECTS credits can be obtained either in Dentistry in Small Mammals or in other related disciplines (minor subjects).

Please see the course curriculum for detailed information.

An examination must be passed for each course. Those are conducted online at the end of each semester and can be taken at any of the bi-annual examination sessions offered during enrolment in the program (usually in January and June). They may be spread over several sessions or taken together in one single session. The examinations consist for example of multiple-choice questions, examination of appropriate clinical cases or pictures related to the subject(s) covered within the framework of the course (reading list, onsite training, literature etc.). A passing grade of 50 % has to be obtained.

During enrolment in the CASVM program, participants are expected to apply the new knowledge and skills acquired in the courses to the activity in daily practice. Participants are required to accumulate 100 well-documented cases related to the discipline in the form of a case log listed in an excel table. A case log excel template for the CASVM / Exotic Pets Medicine will be provided after enrolment. The case log shall be compiled mostly in the second half of the program, upon completion it is uploaded onto the respective CASVM platform on eCampus. For each case included in the case log detailed documentation must be available. The case log is then reviewed by the respective PD (or an expert appointed by him/her) who is entitled to request the documentation on individual cases selected. The case log is graded on a 0-20 scale. The grading scale is <10=fail, 10-11.9=sufficient, 12-13.9=fair, 14-15.9=good, 16-17.9=very good, 18-20=excellent. The examination is passed when a grade of 10 or higher is obtained. In case of an insufficient grade (<10), the participant is notified about the shortcomings of the case log and requested to resubmit a revised version or submit additional cases within 6 months of notice.

Please see case log instructions for detailed information.