Experiences with biophysical teaching of international students studying medical programs at University of veterinary medicine and pharmacy in Slovakia
Abstract
International cooperation has a long tradition at University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVLF) in Slovakia. It began after the turning point in 1989 with the admission of the first foreign students from Israel. Although the material conditions for teaching theoretical and preclinical subjects were not ideal, the enthusiasm of teachers replaced this shortcoming so that every year there was sufficient interest in studying veterinary medicine at our university. Low tuition and the opportunity to work in live animal clinics gradually attracted students from Western Europe and Scandinavia.
In 2009, our university established a joint bachelor's program with Nord University in Bodo, Norway, called Animal Science. After completing 3 years of study in Norway and Slovakia, students can continue their doctoral studies at UVLF and obtain a diploma in veterinary medicine.
Medical biophysics is one of the basic subjects in the block of theoretical disciplines in the veterinary medicine curriculum. It grants basic knowledge of physical phenomena, laws and processes that occur in living organisms. On the other hand, biophysics provides information about diagnostic and therapeutic methods that have physical base and they are used in human and veterinary medicine. As a basic subject, medical biophysics is also taught in the Animal Science program on the spot in the Norwegian city of Bodo. In an effort to bring students closer to the application of biophysical knowledge in medical practice, we make excursions to selected human and veterinary clinics.
In the proposed lecture we will present our experience with education of foreign students from the point of view of teaching medical biophysics at UVMP in Slovakia and Nord University (Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture) in Norway.