Nationwide, there is a need for scientists who understand modern molecular biology in the context of integrated systems and can apply this understanding to human and animal health. Addressing this national need with an interdepartmental graduate program in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology will offer graduates the understanding of how molecular and cellular events integrate into whole-animal systems, knowledge of how appropriate animal models can be used to study human and animal disease, and understanding of how species differences and similarities can be used to investigate basic biology and disease.
Graduates of the master’s and/or the doctoral program in comparative medicine and integrative biology will find employment in academia, governmental research and regulatory agencies, and in pharmaceutical industry research. They will become leaders in discovery and problem-solving research in medical science and will play an instrumental role in the translation of new knowledge to address current issues in human and animal health and well-being. The overall program is designed to develop an integrative approach to research in clinical, cellular, and molecular problems in comparative medicine and integrative biology. It emphasizes development of a firm scientific background in clinical and basic biomedical sciences and the conduct of original research.
Admission
To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a bachelor’s or higher degree in life sciences or related fields and have achieved a grade-point average of at least 3.0. As biological sciences interface more and more with disciplines such as bioinformatics, mathematics, and engineering, it is possible that students holding degrees in fields other than life sciences may contribute to and benefit from training in comparative medicine and integrative biology. The admissions committee may recommend that degree holders in other fields be admitted if their background is deemed appropriate to a particular research area in the college. The committee is chaired by the associate dean for research and graduate studies of the College of Veterinary Medicine and has representatives from each department, as appointed by the chair of each department. An applicant’s acceptance will be based on the academic record including grade-point average, quality of previous training, performance on standard tests such as the GRE, and proficiency in English as demonstrated by standard tests such as the TOEFL or equivalents; statement of professional goals, three letters of reference, and availability of appropriate mentors.
Upon admission to the program, the admissions committee will appoint a temporary advisor. Within six months after entrance into the program, a major advisor will be selected by mutual agreement between the student and the proposed major advisor, after consultation with the associate dean for research and graduate studies and the department chair from the home department of the proposed major advisor.
The major advisor will be required to submit a student’s progress report to the admissions committee by December 30 of each year. The committee will conduct an individual interview with each graduate student annually to assess progress in the program. Assessment of the student’s progress will be reported to the major advisor, chairperson of the advisor’s department, and the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.
Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology - Master of Science
The College of Veterinary Medicine offers a master of science program in comparative medicine and integrative biology to develop an understanding of major concepts in comparative medicine and integrative biology as well as to acquire comprehensive knowledge of a major field and related subjects. Plan A consists of prescribed course work, original research of an important problem in human and animal health or biology, a thesis, and a final oral examination. Plan B consists of prescribed course work and a final research paper.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Veterinary Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology
The student must complete a total of 30 credits for the degree under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis), with at least 12 of those non-research credits in courses at the 800-900 level. Student’s who lack sufficient background in certain areas may be asked to take collateral courses at the 400-500 level. These collateral courses are not counted toward degree requirements. The student’s program of study must be approved by the student’s major advisor and must meet the requirements specified below:
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| Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B (30 credits): |
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The following course: |
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VM |
820 |
Current Topics in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology |
2 |
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One of the following courses: |
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STT |
421 |
Statistics I |
3 |
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STT |
422 |
Statistics II |
3 |
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PHM |
830 |
Experimental Design and Data Analysis |
3 |
Additional Requirements for Plan A:
- One course from at least two of the following three major areas: Molecular Life Sciences, Integrative Biology, and Pathology. A list of approved courses is available from your academic advisor.
- Complete at least 10 credits of 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
- Fulfill the Graduate School requirement for Responsible Conduct of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (RCRSCA).
- Successfully defend the master's thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B:
- One course from each of the following three major areas: Molecular Life Sciences, Integrative Biology, and Pathology. A list of approved courses is available from your academic advisor.
- Fulfill the Graduate School requirement for Responsible Conduct of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (RCRSCA).
- Submit a satisfactory research paper.
Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology - Doctor of Philosophy
The College also offers the Doctor of Philosophy degree focused on depth of understanding across disciplines, acquisition of research skills and the conducting of original research.
The objective of the first two years of the program is to acquire and/or document a high degree of competence in fundamental and basic biomedical sciences and to develop research skills. This objective is achieved through specific course requirements and laboratory research.
Students may elect to take their comprehensive exam after completion of at least 12 credit hours of course work. The comprehensive examination consists of the submission of a written research proposal, and an oral presentation of the dissertation proposal to the student's guidance committee.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Veterinary Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology
The student must complete a minimum of 18 credits of non-research courses, with at least 12 credits in courses at the 800 level and above.
In rare cases, a student may lack sufficient background in certain areas and may be asked to complete collateral courses at the 400 or 500 level. Credits earned in such collateral courses are not counted towards the degree.
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At least two enrollments in: |
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VM |
820 |
Current Topics in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology |
2 |
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At least 14 credits in electives that are approved by the student's guidance committee and that include at least one course from each of four major areas: molecular life sciences, integrative biology, pathology, and statistics and epidemiology. |
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The following course (24 to 36 credits): |
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VM |
999 |
Doctoral Dissertation Research |
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Successfully defend the doctoral dissertation. |
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Fulfill the Graduate School requirement for Responsible Conduct of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (RCRSCA). |
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