Program Information

Chair: C. Risco
Graduate Coordinator (Large Animals): I. Larkin
Graduate Coordinator (Small Animals): D. Lewis

Complete faculty listing by department: Follow this link.

The College of Veterinary Medicine offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in veterinary medical sciences. The College also offers certification and a non-thesis concentration in forensic toxicology via web-based distance education. Minimum requirements for the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are described in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

The program provides extensive training in basic and applied research for qualified students with a baccalaureate degree or a D.V.M. or equivalent degree. Applicants are expected to have a background in the biological sciences, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Particular attention is paid to the advanced education of veterinarians, those interested solely in research, and those interested in combining their graduate study with residency training in a clinical specialty. The College offers three areas of specialization within the veterinary medical sciences program:

Large and Small Animal Clinical Sciences: Physiology, endocrinology, aquatic animal health, fish diseases, gastroenterology, immunology, vision sciences, perinatology, reproductive biology, pharmacokinetics, veterinary sports medicine, and wildlife and zoological medicine (I. Larkin and D. Lewis Graduate Coordinators).

Physiological Sciences: Comparative anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, neurobiology, nutrition, reproductive biology, and toxicology (R. Johnson, Graduate Coordinator).

Infectious Diseases and Experimental Pathology: Bacteriology, parasitology, virology, immunopathology, molecular mechanisms of disease and host defense, epidemiology, and veterinary public health (M.T. Long, Graduate Coordinator).

The College participates in the interdisciplinary specialization in toxicology, in cooperation with other departments and colleges in both the Health Science Center and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and with the Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology (see the Toxicology description under Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies).

The following courses in related areas are acceptable for graduate major credit in veterinary medical sciences:

Degrees Offered with a Major in Veterinary Medical Sciences

• Doctor of Philosophy
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • concentration in Clinical and Translational Science 
  • concentration in Domestic Animal Genomics
  • concentration in Toxicology
• Master of Science
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Domestic Animal Genomics
  • concentration in Forensic Toxicology
    • optional second concentration in Veterinary Forensic Sciences
  • concentration in Shelter Medicine
    • optional second concentration in Veterinary Forensic Sciences
  • concentration in Veterinary Forensic Sciences

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Veterinary Medical Sciences PROGRAM Courses 

VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCES Departmental COURSES 

Pharmacodynamics Courses

Pharmacology Courses

College of Pharmacy Courses

College of Veterinary Medicine Courses

Veterinary medical sciences (phd)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Students identify, describe, explain and apply the literature, research, and practices relevant to their area of specialization.

SLO 2     Skills     
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.

SLO 3     Skills     
Students apply speaking skills needed to communicate orally in formal and informal settings.

SLO 4     Skills     
Students write effectively in a manner appropriate to veterinary medical sciences.

SLO 5     Professional Behavior   
Students exhibit ethical and professional behavior throughout their studies and research.

Veterinary Medical Sciences (MS)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
1. For students in the programs that require a Master's thesis, successful completion of the thesis and thesis defense.
2. For students in the non-thesis programs, successful completion of  a). the capstone project (Shelter Medicine) 
b). the final comprehensive examination (Veterinary Forensic Science and Forensic Toxicology)

SLO 2     Skills     
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

SLO 3     Skills     
Students apply speaking skills needed to communicate orally in formal and informal settings

SLO 4     Skills     
Students write effectively in a manner appropriate to veterinary medical sciences

SLO 5     Professional Behavior   
Students exhibit ethical and professional behavior during their studies and research

SLO 6     Professional Behavior   
Students exercise the etiquette of constructive criticism and respond appropriately to criticism in a professional manner