Participants are required to obtain a total of 40 ECTS credits 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. The time schedule, learning objectives and contents of the courses are described on the ESAVS website. It is important to note that credits are only given for work which has been validated by a formal examination.

Module I: Major subjects (minimum 25 ECTS credits)
To obtain the MASVM / Diagnostic Imaging, a minimum of 25 ECTS credits have to be acquired in the major subject (ESAVS courses Diagnostic Ultrasound I – II, Diagnostic Imaging in Oncology, Radiology I, Small Animal Computed Tomography, Ultrasonography Introductory Course, Neuropathology & MRI Interpretation).

Module II: Minor subjects (maximum 15 ECTS credits)
The remaining 15 ECTS credits can be obtained either in Diagnostic Imaging 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 MASVM 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 200 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 MASVM / Diagnostic Imaging 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 MASVM platform on eCampus. The participant must be the primary responsible veterinarian/clinician for carrying out the veterinary activities for all logged cases (i.e. the participant must be the primary surgeon in surgical disciplines). 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.

The thesis consists of a series of 10 case reports covering a range of topics in the chosen discipline. Published case reports, (published during enrolment in the program) can also be submitted. One case out of the 10 case reports is randomly selected for the oral examination in an online format.

The cases are intended to address the state of the art in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases with diagnostic imaging. The following topics are recommended:

• Gastrointestinal
• Thorax non-cardiac
• Musculoskeletal

These case reports include a complete presentation of the case, illustrations where necessary, literature review including current publications on the subject with references and a discussion. The candidates must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Generally, a case report should contain 2000 words +/- 10%, excluding references and appendix. The combined case reports should not exceed a total of 20,000 words.

Participants are requested to submit their case reports by uploading them onto the respective MASVM platform on eCampus. Each case report is then reviewed by the respective PD (or an expert appointed by him/her) and graded on a 0-20 scale (<10=fail, 10-11.9=sufficient, 12-13.9=fair, 14-15.9=good, 16-17.9=very good, 18-20 excellent). The grades of the individual case reports are averaged to obtain one single grade. The average grade for the entire module must be 13 points or higher and none of the case reports must be graded below 10 points.

Published case reports, (published during enrolment in the program) can also be submitted. Published peer-reviewed case reports automatically receive at least a very good grade.

Please see case report instructions for detailed information.

Oral Examination

One case out of the 10 case reports is randomly selected for the oral examination, the office will contact the Program Director (PD) of the respective discipline and ask for agreement. The oral examination consists of a power point presentation of the case (12-15 min) and questions/discussion (15-25 min). The oral examination is a stand-alone examination and graded as pass or fail.

Please see oral examination instructions for detailed information.