Program Information
The College of Veterinary Medicine strengths and areas of emphasis in research graduate training include, but are not limited to discovery and translational solutions for (i) infectious diseases and immunology, (ii) physiological sciences, (iii) forensic sciences, (iv) microbiology, virology, and parasitology, (v) zoo medicine (vi) aquatic animals and ecosystem health, (vii) livestock and wildlife population health, (viii) equine gastroenterology; (ix) orthopedic bioengineering using animal models, (x) clinical and translational research in selected disciplines such as cardiology, dermatology, oncology, and ophthalmology, and (xi) novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications to improve human and animal health using artificial intelligence. UF CVM is uniquely situated to pursue these investigations with emphasis on non-human species, and in comparative medicine in animals and humans.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a major in Comparative Biomedical Sciences is structured to be completed (in-residence) in four to five years. PhD students will take 90 credits of coursework, including 14 credits in required courses: VME 6937L VMS Graduate Seminar Series or equivalent (6 credits), VME 6767 Responsible Conduct in Research or equivalent (1), Grant Writing (1), Statistics (3), Biochemistry or Molecular Biology (3). The Qualifying Exam will be completed within seven terms after enrollment. At the end of the graduating semester, the PhD candidate must successfully complete a final examination or defense.
The Master of Science with a major in Comparative Biomedical Sciences is structured to be completed (in-residence) in two years. Master’s students will take 30 credits of coursework. At least 12 of the 30 credits must be in the major, including 8 credits in required courses: VME 6937L VMS Graduate Seminar Series or equivalent (1 credit), VME 6767 Responsible Conduct in Research or equivalent (1), Statistics (3), and Biochemistry or Molecular Biology (3). At the end of the graduating semester, the student must successfully complete a final defense of the thesis.
DEGREES OFFERED WITH A MAJOR IN Comparative Biomedical Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Master of Science (M.S.)
Comparative Biomedical Sciences Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VME 6937L | VMS Graduate Seminar Series | 1 |
| VME 6767 | Issues in the Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| PHC 6088 | Statistical Analysis of Genetic Data | 3 |
| BCH 5413 | Mammalian Molecular Biology and Genetics | 3 |
| GMS 6096 | Introduction to NIH Grant Writing for Biomedical Sciences | 1 |
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE COURSES
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VME 6934 | Topics in Veterinary Medical Sciences | 1-4 |
| VME 6936 | Seminar in Pathophysiology | 1 |
Comparative Biomedical Sciences (MS)
SLO 1 Scientific Methods (Knowledge)
Students demonstrate competence in the sue of scientific methods to advance animal, human, and/or environmental health.
Assessment method: students will pass a general knowledge‐based examination and successfully complete a master’s thesis.
SLO 2 Evaluate Research Methods (Skills)
Students critically evaluate research methods, data, and information published in scientific journals and books.
Assessment method: Students will successfully complete one seminar course that requires reading, presentation and critical evaluation of the student's own research reports published in scientific journals.
SLO 3 Speaking (Skills)
Students apply speaking skills needed to communicate orally in formal and informal settings.
Assessment method: Oral thesis defense.
SLO 4 Writing (Skills)
Students write effectively in a manner appropriate to biomedical sciences.
Assessment method: Successful completion of a master’s thesis.
SLO 5 Professional Behavior
Students exhibit ethical and professional behavior throughout their studies and research.
Assessment method: students successfully complete a formal course on the responsible and ethical conduct of research.
Comparative Biomedical Sciences (PhD)
SLO 1 Knowledge in Specialization
Students identify, describe, explain and apply the literature, research, and practices relevant to their area of specialization.
Assessment method: students are assessed through satisfactory performance of their final defense of their dissertation.
SLO 2 Evaluate Information
Students analyze and critically evaluate new information and ideas contained in books and journal articles, as well as information and ideas presented at scientific meetings, seminars and/or informal discussions with other scientists.
Assessment method: Students will successfully complete one or more seminar course or journal club course that requires reading, presentation and critical evaluation of scientific papers.
SLO 3 Presentation, Speaking Skills
Students apply speaking skills needed to communicate orally in formal and informal settings.
Assessment method: students produce a research report judged worthy of presentation at local, national and/or international scientific meetings and/or continuing education presentations by their faculty mentor.
SLO 4 Effective Writing Skills
Students write effectively in a manner appropriate to veterinary medical sciences.
Assessment method: students write a paper that is judged publishable by the faculty.
SLO 5 Professional Behavior
Students exhibit ethical and professional behavior throughout their studies and research.
Assessment method: students successfully complete a formal course on the responsible and ethical conduct of research.