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.)
Master of Science (M.S.)
In order to obtain the Master of Science degree with a major in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, students must complete required coursework (8 credits) in biochemistry or molecular biology (3 credits), statistics (3), responsible conduct in research (1 ), graduate seminars (1 ), a Final Examination, and a Master's thesis on main area(s) of emphasis identified (i.e., infectious diseases and immunology, physiological sciences, forensic sciences, other). The thesis degree requires a minimum of 12 credits in the major. Overall and major credits must satisfy the associated 3.00 truncated minimum GPA requirement. In addition, all other Graduate Council policies governing master's degree requirements must be satisfied.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
In order to obtain the PhD degree with a major in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, students must complete required coursework (14 credits) in biochemistry or molecular biology (3 credits), statistics (3), responsible conduct in research (1 ), grant writing (1 ), graduate seminars (6), a Qualifying Examination (within first seven terms/semesters after enrollment), a Final Examination, and a PhD dissertation on main area(s) of emphasis identified above (i.e., infectious diseases and immunology, physiological sciences, forensic sciences, other). UF CVM academic departments may include additional requirements. PhD students must have a truncated 3.00 minimum Overall and Major GPA to be eligible for a degree award.
Comparative Biomedical Sciences Required 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 5101 | Comparative Biomedical Sciences and One Health | 3 |
| VME 5244 | Physiology: Organ Systems | 4 |
| VME 6010 | Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues | 3 |
| VME 6011 | Introduction to Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues | 3 |
| VME 6017 | Manatee Health & Conservation | 3 |
| VME 6051 | Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence | 3 |
| VME 6052 | Animal Crime Scene Processing | 3 |
| VME 6053 | Skeletal Trauma Analysis in Animals | 3 |
| VME 6054 | Scientific and Legal Principles of Forensic Evidence | 3 |
| VME 6056 | Animal Law | 3 |
| VME 6070 | Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Biomedical Research | 2 |
| VME 6195 | Wildlife Virology: Emerging Wildlife Viruses of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance | 3 |
| VME 6395 | Interdisciplinary Seminars in Animal Reproduction and Population Health | 1 |
| VME 6430C | Contemporary Issues in Small Animal Surgery | 3 |
| VME 6505 | Autoimmunity | 1 |
| VME 6570 | Wildlife Conservation and Forensic Science | 3 |
| VME 6571 | Forensic Applied Animal Behavior | 3 |
| VME 6572 | Forensic Aspects of Agricultural Animal Welfare | 3 |
| VME 6573 | Applications of DNA for Companion Animal and Wildlife Cases | 3 |
| VME 6574 | Aquatic Animal Pathology and Forensic Science | 3 |
| VME 6575 | Veterinary Forensic Medicine | 3 |
| VME 6576 | Veterinary Forensic Pathology | 3 |
| VME 6577 | Practicing Pathology | 3 |
| VME 6578 | Forensic Veterinary Oesteology | 3 |
| VME 6579 | Veterinary Forensic Radiology and Imaging | 3 |
| VME 6580 | Cybercrime in Wildlife Investigations | 3 |
| VME 6581 | Working Dogs in Conservation and Forensic Science | 3 |
| VME 6582 | Introduction to Forensic Medicine 1 | 4 |
| VME 6602 | General Toxicology | 3 |
| VME 6603 | Advanced Toxicology | 3 |
| VME 6604 | Literature Survey in Toxicology | 1-2 |
| VME 6605 | Toxic Substances | 3 |
| VME 6607 | Human Health Risk Assessment | 4 |
| VME 6613 | Forensic Toxicology I | 3 |
| VME 6614 | Forensic Toxicology II | 3 |
| VME 6615 | Veterinary Forensic Toxicology | 3 |
| VME 6616 | Veterinary Drug Ecotoxicology | 3 |
| VME 6617 | Environmental Risk Assessment of Veterinary Drugs | 3 |
| VME 6620 | The Practice of Regulatory Toxicology | 3 |
| VME 6621 | New Approach Methodologies in Toxicology | 3 |
| VME 6650 | Principles of Mammalian Pharmacology | 4 |
| VME 6651 | Seminars in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia | 2 |
| VME 6710C | Advanced Small Animal Airway and Thoracic Surgery | 1 |
| VME 6711 | Small Animal Abdominal Surgery | 1 |
| VME 6766 | Laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control | 3 |
| VME 6767 | Issues in the Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| VME 6771 | Veterinary Epidemiologic Research | 3 |
| VME 6801 | Principles of Management in Animal Shelters | 3 |
| VME 6802 | Caring for Nontraditional Species in Animal Shelters | 3 |
| VME 6810 | Integrating Veterinary Medicine with Shelter Systems | 3 |
| VME 6811 | Shelter Animal Physical Health | 3 |
| VME 6812 | Problem-Oriented Approach to Shelter Animal Behavior and Welfare | 3 |
| VME 6813 | Behavioral Health for Shelter Dogs and Cats | 3 |
| VME 6814 | Principles of Teaching for Animal Shelters | 3 |
| VME 6815 | Animal Shelter Population Management by the Metrics | 3 |
| VME 6816 | The Role of the Animal Shelter in Protecting Community and Public Health | 3 |
| VME 6817 | Humane Euthanasia Practicies for Animal Shelters | 3 |
| VME 6818 | High Quality High Volume Spay Neuter | 3 |
| VME 6819 | Principles of Leadership in Animal Shelters | 3 |
| VME 6820 | Introduction to Veterinary Disaster Response | 1 |
| VME 6840 | Life-Enhancing Strategies of Animal Welfare Organizations | 3 |
| VME 6841 | Communications and Marketing for Animal Welfare Organizations | 3 |
| VME 6842 | Fundraising and Development for Animal Welfare Organizations | 3 |
| VME 6905 | Problems in Veterinary Medical Sciences | 1-4 |
| VME 6910 | Supervised Research | 1-5 |
| VME 6931 | Seminar in Veterinary Medical Sciences | 1 |
| VME 6932 | Seminar in Physiological Sciences | 1 |
| VME 6933 | Seminar in Infectious Diseases and Experimental Pathology | 1 |
| VME 6934 | Topics in Veterinary Medical Sciences | 1-4 |
| VME 6936 | Seminar in Pathophysiology | 1 |
| VME 6937L | VMS Graduate Seminar Series | 1 |
| VME 6938 | Topics in Aquatic Animal Health | 1 |
| VME 6939 | Topics in International Shelter Medicine | 3 |
| VME 6940 | Supervised Teaching | 1-5 |
| VME 6950 | Capstone Project Presentation | 1-3 |
| VME 6951 | Communicating Research About Shelter Medicine | 1 |
| VME 6971 | Research for Master's Thesis | 1-15 |
| VME 7979 | Advanced Research | 1-12 |
| VME 7980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 1-15 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VEM 5012L | Veterinary Professional Skills III | 1 |
| 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.