Academic Programs Catalog

Taylor Epp, Director

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Veterinary nurses are compassionate, highly motivated paraprofessionals dedicated to animal health care. As integral members of the veterinary health care team, they are entrusted with diverse medical responsibilities that include animal nursing care, laboratory specimen analysis, surgical assistance, anesthesia, radiographic imaging (x-ray), nutritional management, dental prophylaxis, physical therapy, and client education. These varied duties afford the veterinary paraprofessional a profound impact on every aspect of animal care. Their involvement enables veterinary hospitals and animal care and research facilities to offer expanded services efficiently and effectively.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recognizes two levels of training for the veterinary paraprofessional:  a two-year certification and a four-year bachelor's degree.  The Certificate of Completion at Michigan State University is a two-year training program. After completion of the pre-clinical courses, students complete clinical clerkship training at the Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center. Through the clinical clerkships, the students develop and apply their knowledge and problem-solving skills in a functional hospital setting.  The two-year level of training is most appropriate for individuals who seek employment in privately owned veterinary clinical practices.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing requires four years of academic training. In addition to the core curriculum of the Certificate of Completion, the students complete the general education requirements of Michigan State University and elective courses.  The elective courses allow the students to focus on potential career paths within the veterinary profession such as production animal medicine, equine and companion animal medicine, pathology, biomedical research, and practice management. Their training offers exposure to clinical specialty areas such as emergency medicine, cardiology, ophthalmology, equine anesthesia, and necropsy.  The four-year bachelor's degree level of training is linked with employment in research facilities, vivaria, industry, educational institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and large-group or specialty practices.

The state of Michigan requires that any person practicing as a veterinary professional must be licensed and registered with the state. Regulation of veterinary professionals is the responsibility of the Veterinary Board of Examiners in the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation. The credentialing examination is only available to qualified graduates of accredited training programs. The Veterinary Nursing Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and graduates of the Certificate of Completion or Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing are eligible to take the National Board Examinations for licensure.

Enrollment in the Veterinary Technology Program’s academic certificate and degree options is limited.  Students are admitted for fall semester only.  Applications for admission are accepted through early February of the year that admission is sought. For additional information, contact the Veterinary Nursing Program, Veterinary Medical Center, 736 Wilson Road, Room A-22, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1316 or visit https://cvm.msu.edu/future-students/veterinary-nursing-program.

The Certificate of Completion articulates with an Associate in Applied Sciences degree from Lansing Community College.  For specific degree requirements for the Associate in Applied Science, contact Lansing Community College at http://www.lcc.edu.

Bachelor of Science

Admission

The number of students who can be admitted to the Bachelor of Science degree program in veterinary technology is limited.  All persons who are interested in applying for admission to the bachelor's degree program in veterinary nursing must complete an application which can be found, along with the application process instructions, by visiting https://cvm.msu.edu/future-students/veterinary-nursing-program.

Applications for admission to the bachelor's degree program in veterinary nursing are accepted through early February of the year that admission is sought.

Students who are enrolled in colleges and universities other than Michigan State University should contact Michigan State University's Office of Admissions and the College of Veterinary Medicine regarding admission to the bachelor's degree program in veterinary nursing as transfer students.

To be considered for admission, an applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.75 and a minimum of a 2.5 grade-point average of the last 12 credits completed and a minimum of a 2.0 grade in all math and science courses:

1. Completion of at least 28 credits of the University graduation requirements or transfer equivalents including:
   1. One of the following: (Mathematics 101 and 103) or (Mathematics 103 and 114) or (Mathematics 116 or 124 or 132 or 152H). See item 2. b. under Requirements for a full list of applicable math combinations.
   2. Biological Science 161 and 171.
   3. Tier I writing course.
   4. Additional credits selected from an Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities course numbered below 211, an Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities course numbered 211 or higher, an Integrative Studies in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences 200-level course, and an Integrative Studies in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences 300-level course.

The final selection of students to be admitted to the baccalaureate degree program in veterinary nursing is based on the cumulative grade-point average of all courses taken, the grade-point average calculated on all courses in mathematics and the physical and biological sciences, and the grade-point average of the last 12 credits. The selection process also  includes submission of a personal statement, letters of recommendation and documentation of 80 hours of veterinary related experience.

Students who complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing will be qualified to take the National Board Examinations for licensure as veterinary-technicians.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Veterinary Nursing

1. The requirements for a bachelor's degree as specified in the Undergraduate Education section of the University catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing.
   The completion of the Mathematics courses referenced in item 2. b. below may also be used to satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Veterinary Nursing major is met by completing the following courses:  Veterinary Medicine 410 and 412. Those courses are referenced in items 2. a. below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing may complete the alternative track in Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses: Biological Sciences 161, 162, 171, and 172; and Chemistry 141. The completion of Biological Science 171 satisfies the laboratory requirement. Biological Science 162 and 172 and Chemistry 141 may be counted toward both the alternative track and the requirements for the major referenced in item 2. below.
2. The following requirements for the major (90 to 97 credits):

   a.	All of the following courses (75 credits):
   	BS	161	Cell and Molecular Biology						3
   	BS	162	Organismal and Population Biology						3
   	BS	171	Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory						2
   	BS	172	Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory						2
   	CEM	141	General Chemistry						4
   	VM	110	Veterinary Medical Terminology						1
   	VM	120	Veterinary Comparative Nutrition						2
   	VM	130	Comparative Anatomy for Veterinary Nurses						2
   	VM	140	Pharmacology for Veterinary Nurses						2
   	VM	150	Hospital Procedures and Communication						2
   	VM	155	Veterinary Nursing Careers and Professional Development						1
   	VM	160	Small Animal Nursing Skills						3
   	VM	165	Large Animal and Laboratory Animal Nursing Care Techniques						2
   	VM	170	Hematology and Immunology for Veterinary Nurses						2
   	VM	175	Clinical Pathology Laboratory I for Veterinary Nurses						1
   	VM	176	Clinical Pathology Laboratory II for Veterinary Nurses						1
   	VM	205	Preventive Animal Health Care for Veterinary Nurses						3
   	VM	210	Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Nurses						2
   	VM	215	Surgical Nursing and Anesthetic Management Laboratory						1
   	VM	245	Parasitology for Veterinary Nurses						2
   	VM	250	Veterinary Comparative Clinical Physiology						5
   	VM	255	Small Animal Diseases and Management						3
   	VM	265	Dentistry Techniques for Veterinary Nurses						1
   	VM	270	Advanced Skills Development for Veterinary Nurses						1
   	VM	275	Large Animal Diseases and Management						3
   	VM	295	Biomedical Research and Regulatory Issues for Veterinary Nurses						1
   	VM	303	Anesthesiology for Veterinary Nurses						2
   	VM	304	Radiology for Veterinary Nurses						2
   	VM	305	Hospital Practice Management for Veterinary Nurses						2
   	VM	410	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Anesthesiology (W)						3
   	VM	411	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Radiology						3
   	VM	412	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Medicine (W)						3
   	VM	413	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Surgery						3
   	and
   	One of the following courses (3 credits):
   	VM	414	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Equine Medicine and Surgery						3
   	VM	415	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Food Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery						3
   	VM	450	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Emergency Medicine						3
   	VM	451	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Cardiology						3
   	VM	452	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Neurology						3
   	VM	453	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Ophthalmology						3
   	VM	454	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Critical Care						3
   	VM	458	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound						3
   	VM	466	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Large Animal Anesthesia						3
   	VM	470	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Food Animal Medicine						3
   	VM	480	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Clinical Pathology						3
   	VM	482	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Necropsy						3
   	VM	483	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Biomedical Research						3
   	VM	484	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine						3
   	VM	486	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Clinical Parasitology						3
   	VM	490	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Special Problems						3
   b.	One of the following options (0 to 7 credits):
   	(1)	One of the following courses:
   		MTH	116	College Algebra and Trigonometry					5
   		MTH	124	Survey of Calculus I					3
   		MTH	132	Calculus I					3
   		MTH	152H	Honors Calculus I					3
   	(2)	MTH	103	College Algebra					3
   		and
   		One of the following:
   		MTH	101	Quantitative Literacy I					3
   		MTH	102	Quantitative Literacy II					3
   		MTH	114	Trigonometry					3
   		MTH	201	Elementary Mathematics for Teachers I					3
   		STT	200	Statistical Methods					3
   		STT	201	Statistical Methods					4
   	(3)	MTH	103A	College Algebra I					3
   		MTH	103B	College Algebra II					3
   		and
   		One of the following:
   		MTH	101	Quantitative Literacy I					3
   		MTH	102	Quantitative Literacy II					3
   		MTH	114	Trigonometry					3
   		MTH	201	Elementary Mathematics for Teachers I					3
   		STT	200	Statistical Methods					3
   		STT	201	Statistical Methods					4
   	(4)	Successfully complete the proctored mathematics placement exam with a score of 19 or higher.
   c.	One of the following options, 15 credits from Elective Group 1 or 15 credits from Elective Group 2. Courses used to satisfy requirement 2. a. above may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
   	Veterinary Nursing Elective Group 1
   	VM	414	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Equine Medicine and Surgery						3 to 6
   	VM	415	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Food Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery						3 to 6
   	VM	450	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Emergency Medicine						3
   	VM	451	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Cardiology						3
   	VM	452	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Neurology						3
   	VM	453	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Ophthalmology						3
   	VM	454	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Critical Care						3
   	VM	458	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Companion Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound						3
   	VM	466	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Large Animal Anesthesia						3
   	VM	470	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Food Animal Medicine						3 to 6
   	VM	480	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Clinical Pathology						3
   	VM	482	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Necropsy						3
   	VM	483	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Biomedical Research						3 to 12
   	VM	484	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine						3 to 12
   	VM	486	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Clinical Parasitology						3
   	VM	490	Veterinary Nursing Clerkship in Special Problems						3 to 12
   	Veterinary Nursing Elective Group 2. Complete 15 credits in courses from one of the following concentrations. All course selections must be approved by the Veterinary Nursing Program.
   	Business Communication
   	ACC	230	Survey of Accounting Concepts						3
   	AFRE	100	Decision-making in the Agri-Food System						3
   	AFRE	130	Farm Management I						3
   	AFRE	203	Data Analysis for the Agri-Food system						3
   	AFRE	222	Agribusiness and Food Industry Sales						3
   	AFRE	232	Commodity Marketing I						3
   	AFRE	240	Food Product Marketing						3
   	AFRE	315	Labor and Personnel Management in Agri-Food System						3
   	AFRE	327	Global Agri-Food Industries and Markets						3
   	AFRE	435	Financial Management in the Agri-Food System						3
   	COM	100	Human Communication						3
   	COM	225	An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication						3
   	COM	240	Introduction to Organizational Communication						4
   	EC	201	Introduction to Microeconomics						3
   	EC	202	Introduction to Macroeconomics						3
   	EAD	315	Student Leadership Training						3
   	FI	320	Introduction to Finance						3
   	HRLR	211	Introduction to Organizational Leadership						3
   	HRLR	311	Applied Organizational Leadership						3
   	General Animal Science
   	ANS	110	Introductory Animal Agriculture						3
   	ANS	110L	Introductory Animal Agriculture Laboratory						1
   	ANS	134	Dairy Production I						3
   	ANS	200C	Dairy Cattle Genetics and Evaluation						2
   	ANS	200E	Introductory Animal Welfare Assessment						1
   	ANS	201	Animal Products						3
   	ANS	201L	Animal Products Laboratory						1
   	ANS	210	Introduction to Disciplines in Animal Agriculture						3
   	ANS	211	Animal and Product Evaluation						3
   	ANS	222	Introductory Beef Cattle Management						3
   	ANS	234	Dairy Production II						3
   	ANS	252	Introduction to Management of Avian Species						3
   	ANS	262	Introductory Sheep Management						3
   	ANS	272	Introductory Swine Management						3
   	ANS	305	Applied Animal Behavior						3
   	ANS	305L	Applied Animal Behavior Laboratory						1
   	ANS	307	Animal Reproduction						3
   	ANS	309	Animal Health and Disease Management						3
   	ANS	313	Principles of Animal Feeding and Nutrition (W)						4
   	ANS	314	Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals (W)						4
   	ANS	334	Dairy Management I						3
   	ANS	401	Ethical Issues in Animal Agriculture						1
   	ANS	407	Food and Animal Toxicology						3
   	ANS	413	Non-Ruminant Nutrition						4
   	ANS	418	Animal Agriculture and the Environment						3
   	ANS	422	Advanced Beef Cattle Feedlot Management						3
   	ANS	425	Animal Biotechnology						3
   	ANS	427	Environmental Toxicology and Society						3
   	ANS	442	Advanced Horse Management						3
   	ANS	445	Equine Exercise Physiology						4
   	ANS	455	Avian Physiology						4
   	ANS	472	Advanced Swine Management						3
   	ANS	480	Animal Systems in International Development						3
   	ANS	483	Ruminant Nutrition						3
   	General Zoo and Wildlife
   	EPI	390	Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health						4
   	FW	101	Fundamentals of Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology and Management						3
   	FW	110	Conservation and Management of Marine Resources						3
   	FW	181	Introduction to Science, Technology, the Environment and Public Policy						3
   	FW	364	Ecological Problem Solving						3
   	FW	413	Wildlife Research and Management Techniques						3
   	FW	423	Principles of Fish and Wildlife Disease						3
   	FW	423L	Principles of Fish and Wildlife Disease Laboratory						1
   	FW	424	Population Analysis and Management						4
   	FW	444	Conservation Biology						3
   	FW	449	Wildlife Policy						3
   	FW	491	Special Topics in Fisheries and Wildlife						1 to 3
   	IBIO	313	Animal Behavior						3
   	IBIO	341	Fundamental Genetics						4
   	IBIO	355	Ecology						3
   	IBIO	355L	Ecology Laboratory (W)						1
   	IBIO	369	Introduction to Zoo and Aquarium Science						3
   	IBIO	408	Histology						4
   	IBIO	413	Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience (W)						4
   	IBIO	415	Ecological Aspects of Animal Behavior (W)						3
   	NEU	300	Neurobiology						3
   	Sustainability and Policy
   	AFRE	100	Decision-making in the Agri-Food System						3
   	AFRE	206	World Food, Population and Poverty						3
   	ANR	250	Global Issues in Agriculture and Natural Resources						3
   	ANS	124	Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems						2
   	ANS	418	Animal Agriculture and the Environment						3
   	ANS	424	Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems: Integration and Synthesis						3
   	ANS	480	Animal Systems in International Development						3
   	CSS	101	Introduction to Crop Science						3
   	CSS	120	Issues in Food and Agriculture						3
   	CSS	124	Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems						1
   	CSS	222	New Horizons in Biotechnology						2
   	EC	201	Introduction to Microeconomics						3
   	EC	202	Introduction to Macroeconomics						3
   	EPI	390	Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health						4
   	FW	434	Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife Management (W)						3
   	FW	445	Biodiversity Conservation Policy and Practice						3
   	IBIO	446	Environmental Issues and Public Policy						3
   	HRT	251	Organic Farming Principles and Practices						3
   	PHL	380	Nature of Science						3
   	SOC	161	International Development and Change						3
   	SOC	252	Introduction to Environmental Sociology						3
   	Pharmacology and Toxicology
   	ANS	407	Food and Animal Toxicology						3
   	ANS	427	Environmental Toxicology and Society						3
   	BMB	200	Introduction to Biochemistry						4
   	EPI	390	Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health						4
   	NEU	300	Neurobiology						3
   	PHL	380	Nature of Science						3
   	PHM	350	Introductory Human Pharmacology						3
   	PHM	351	Fundamentals of Drug Safety						3
   	PHM	431	Pharmacology of Drug Addiction						3
   	PHM	450	Introduction to Chemical Toxicology						3
   	Ecology and Resource Management
   	AFRE	265	Ecology and Economics						3
   	ANS	124	Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems						2
   	ANS	418	Animal Agriculture and the Environment						3
   	FOR	419	Applications of Geographic Information Systems to Natural Resources Management						4
   	FW	181	Introduction to Science, Technology, the Environment						3
   	FW	364	Ecological Problem Solving						3
   	FW	413	Wildlife Research and Management Techniques						3
   	FW	417	Wetland Ecology and Management						3
   	FW	423	Principles of Fish and Wildlife Disease						3
   	FW	423L	Principles of Fish and Wildlife Disease Laboratory						1
   	FW	424	Population Analysis and Management						4
   	FW	434	Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife Management (W)						3
   	FW	463	Wildlife Disease Ecology						3
   	IBIO	355	Ecology						3
   	IBIO	355L	Ecology Laboratory (W)						1
   	Animal Management
   	AFRE	130	Farm Management I						3
   	ANS	110	Introductory Animal Agriculture						3
   	ANS	110L	Introductory Animal Agriculture Laboratory						1
   	ANS	134	Dairy Production I						3
   	ANS	222	Introductory Beef Cattle Management						3
   	ANS	233	Dairy Feed Management						3
   	ANS	234	Dairy Production II						3
   	ANS	252	Introduction to Management of Avian Species						3
   	ANS	262	Introductory Sheep Management						3
   	ANS	272	Introductory Swine Management						3
   	ANS	309	Animal Health and Disease Management						3
   	ANS	334	Dairy Management I						2
   	ANS	401	Ethical Issues in Animal Agriculture						1
   	ANS	422	Advanced Beef Cattle Feedlot Management						3
   	ANS	442	Advanced Horse Management						3
   	ANS	472	Advanced Swine Management						3
   	Animal Products and Nutrition
   	ANS	110	Introductory Animal Agriculture						3
   	ANS	201	Animal Products						3
   	ANS	201L	Animal Products Laboratory						1
   	ANS	211	Animal and Product Evaluation						3
   	ANS	233	Dairy Feed Management						3
   	ANS	313	Principles of Animal Feeding and Nutrition (W)						4
   	ANS	407	Food and Animal Toxicology						3
   	ANS	413	Non-Ruminant Nutrition						4
   	ANS	483	Ruminant Nutrition						3

Students who meet the requirements for admission to the university as freshmen and sophomores, as shown in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog, may select the preveterinary program in the College of Veterinary Medicine as their major preference.  A strong high school preparation in science, including chemistry, biology, and physics, is highly desirable.  Students who are enrolled in the preveterinary program are enrolled in the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative, but receive academic advising in the College of Veterinary Medicine Preveterinary Advising Center. 

The courses in mathematics and natural science required for admission to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine are included in the requirements for the preveterinary program.  Students who are enrolled in the preveterinary program should complete the university requirements for bachelor's degrees.  Courses that are used to satisfy University requirements may also be used to satisfy certain requirements for admission to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine.

University regulations require that a student who has arrived at junior standing must select a major leading to a baccalaureate degree.  The College of Veterinary Medicine does not offer a bachelor's degree program for preveterinary students.  Therefore, upon reaching junior standing, students who have been enrolled in the preveterinary program and who have not been admitted to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine must be admitted to a major in another college in order to complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree. Students interested in the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine are not required to complete a baccalaureate degree to be considered for admission.

Enrollments in the preveterinary program are not limited.  However, because of the limitation on the number of students admitted each year to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine, completion of the preveterinary program does not assure admission to the professional program.

Because admission to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine is competitive and the majority of successful applicants have completed at least three years of a bachelor's degree program, students who are enrolled in the preveterinary program are encouraged to plan toward a baccalaureate degree in a major consistent with their interests and alternative educational and career goals.  Students in any major may apply for admission to the Professional Program.  For additional information, refer to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine statement.

Requirements for the Preveterinary Program

1.	All of the following courses (38 credits):
	BMB	401	Comprehensive Biochemistry					4
	BS	161	Cell and Molecular Biology					3
	BS	162	Organismal and Population Biology					3
	BS	171L	Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory					2
	CEM	141	General Chemistry					4
	CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I					1
	CEM	251	Organic Chemistry I					3
	CEM	252	Organic Chemistry II					3
	CEM	255	Organic Chemistry Laboratory					2
	MTH	116	College Algebra and Trigonometry					5
	PHY	231	Introductory Physics I					3
	PHY	232	Introductory Physics II					3
	PHY	251	Introductory Physics Laboratory I					1
	PHY	252	Introductory Physics Laboratory II					1
2.	Upper-level Biology Elective (3-credit minimum) A course selected from cell biology, genetics, histology, immunology, neurobiology, or physiology.
3.	Students who are enrolled in the preveterinary program should complete the University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog.
	The completion of Mathematics 116 referenced in item 1. above may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
	Students who are enrolled in the Preveterinary Program in the College of Veterinary Medicine may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses: Biological Science 161, 162, and 171L and Chemistry 141.  The completion of Biological Science 161 and 171L satisfies the laboratory requirement.  Biological Science 161, 171, and 171L and Chemistry 141 may be counted toward both the alternative track and the requirements for the preveterinary program referenced in item 1. above.
	Students who are enrolled in the preveterinary program will be required to meet the Tier II writing requirement approved for the student's major leading to the bachelor's degree.

The professional veterinary medicine program is designed to provide basic and applied medical education with flexible, high-quality clinical training opportunities that prepare career-ready graduates. Graduates may become licensed as private veterinary practitioners in any state, and they are well positioned for successful pursuit of a wide variety of careers, including those in: (1) private practice, general or specialized by species or discipline; (2) government, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S. Army and Air Force, and state, county, and local health agencies, for important work related to livestock disease control, meat and poultry inspection, development of biological products, prevention of the entry of foreign animal diseases, and public health; (3) biomedical research at colleges and universities, government agencies, biological and pharmaceutical companies, or private medical research institutions, for the benefit of animals and people; and (4) education, typically at colleges of veterinary medicine.

The professional program leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Admission to the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine

The College of Veterinary Medicine strives to select individuals with the academic ability, preparation, motivation, emotional intelligence, and social competence to succeed as veterinary students and future veterinarians. Student diversity is promoted to help meet the needs of a diverse society. A wide variety of experiences are represented in each entering class, with academic backgrounds including the sciences, the arts and humanities, and various advanced degrees.

A new class of students begins the four–year professional program each fall semester. Applications for admission and related materials must be received by the deadline as specified by the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS).

Factors considered by the Admissions Committee in determining an applicant’s relative competitive position are:

1. Academic performance: A minimum last-3-semester grade-point average (GPA) in combination with a minimum science prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required for an application to receive review.
2. File review of nonacademic experiences and attributes fitting to the values of the College.
3. Multiple Mini Interviews by faculty, staff, alumni, and other vested individuals trained to assess for the qualities considered important for positive professional outcomes (by invitation).

Applications, regular or transfer, are reviewed by the Committee on Student Admissions. Final selection of applicants is based on a combination of academic performance, evidence of significant accomplishments in nonacademic areas, and performance in interviews.

Applicants are considered for admission in the following order of priority:

1. Residents of the state of Michigan, as defined by Michigan State University. (Since Michigan State University is a public, tax-assisted institution, admission priority is granted to residents of Michigan.)
2. Residents of states other than Michigan, including U.S. Territories and Trust Possessions.
3. All others.

Requirements to be completed by students prior to enrollment:

All science prerequisite requirements must be completed by students prior to the application deadline each year. All science prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in each course and a minimum science prerequisite GPA of 3.0. Up to 50% of the science prerequisite requirements may be satisfied with binary grading. General education requirements must be completed by July 1 prior to fall matriculation. Each course must receive a minimum grade of 2.0.   

Science Prerequisite Courses
College Algebra and Trigonometry (or precalculus or calculus)
Physics I and II with laboratories
Chemistry I with laboratory
Biology I and II with laboratory
Organic Chemistry I and II with laboratory
Biochemistry
Physiology
Upper Level Biology Elective (3 credit minimum), such as Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Immunology, Genetics, Microbiology, or Histology
Advanced Placement (AP) credits are accepted for College Algebra and Trigonometry, Physics I and II, Chemistry I, and Introductory Biology I and II.

General Education Requirements

Prerequisite individual General Education courses must receive a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale. All general education requirements must be completed by July 1 of the matriculation year. If a bachelor's degree will be earned by July 1 of the matriculation year, all general education requirements are considered fulfilled and individual courses will not be reviewed. A Baccalaureate degree is not required.

Arts and Humanities - two courses.
Social Science - two courses.
English - one course (3 semester credits) of English composition.

Advanced Placement (AP) credits are accepted to fulfill any of these requirements.

VETERINARY SCHOLARS ADMISSION PATHWAY

This pathway has been established by the College of Veterinary Medicine in cooperation with the Honors College at Michigan State University in order to provide an admission avenue for students who wish to complete a bachelor's degree consisting of advanced, scholarly studies in concert with their entry to the four–year professional veterinary medical degree program.  All Michigan State University preveterinary students who are members of the Honors College may choose to participate in this program.  Up to ten MSU students may be chosen each year to be granted admission to the veterinary medical program contingent upon completion of a bachelor's degree in a major of the students choice.

The following components will be considered in selecting candidates for this admission pathway:

1. Completion of at least 50 percent of the required preveterinary science courses.
2. Minimum 3.5 cumulative and preveterinary science grade–point averages.
3. Bachelor's degree program proposal planned in consultation with the Honors College advising staff and a departmental honors advisor demonstrating enriched, advanced, and scholarly work in a major of the student's choice.
4. Evidence of quality veterinary and animal exposure.
5. Completion of at least three Honors College experiences beyond the minimum preveterinary requirements.
6. Performance in the regular veterinary admission criteria including grade–point averages, and file review.
7. Personal statement describing the scholarly content of the proposed bachelor's degree program and its relevance to the individual's career and personal goals.
8. Evaluations from the advisor in the student's degree program, a veterinarian, and an individual of the applicant's choice.

Students who wish to enter the professional veterinary medical program before earning a bachelor's degree may apply through the regular veterinary admission process.

The College of Veterinary Medicine's Committee on Student Admissions selects the candidates for this pathway and reserves the right to modify the criteria and process. Applications not meeting the above criteria will be dismissed.

Academic Standards

Once admitted to the Veterinary Scholars Pathway, students must maintain a 3.5 cumulative and preveterinary science grade-point average during completion of the Honors College degree.

Additional Information

For additional information concerning admission to the professional program, contact the Admissions Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center-South Building, 784 Wilson Road, Room F-104 Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824–1314. Note:  Prospective applicants should maintain contact with the College's Admissions Office for current information.

Statement on Advanced Status

Rarely will students be considered for admission to the program with advanced standing.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree

1. The University requirements for the bachelor's degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.
2. Preveterinary program requirements.
3. At least 56 credits of the professional program in Veterinary Medicine.

Health Requirements for Students in the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine

1. The student must be covered by a personal health insurance policy throughout enrollment in the program.
2. The student's tetanus vaccination must be current throughout enrollment in the program.
3. The student must have a rabies vaccination prior to participation in senior clerkships. Rabies vaccination is recommended for entering students.
4. The student must participate in TB monitoring which consists of two TB tests, one in the first semester and one at graduation.

Requirements for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Completion of the following 157-credit, four-year professional program with a grade-point average of at least 2.0. Completion of the college's core competencies during the four-year professional program. Students must successfully complete all pre-clinical core competencies before matriculating to the clinical phase of the curriculum.

VETERINARY MEDICINE (YEAR 1)
SEMESTER 1 (Fall) (19 credits)									2
VM	500	Veterinary Science I							1
VM	501	One Health I							1
VM	502	Veterinary Doctoring I							1
VM	503	Veterinary Career and Practice Management I							2
VM	515	Animals in Society							3
VM	516	Musculoskeletal System I							3
VM	517	Nervous System I							3
VM	518	Cardiovascular System I							3
VM	519	Cutaneous System I
SEMESTER 2 (Spring) (19 credits)
VM	504	One Health II							1
VM	505	Veterinary Doctoring II							1
VM	506	Veterinary Career and Practice Management II							1
VM	520	Respiratory System I							3
VM	523	Immunologic and Hematologic Systems I							3
VM	525	Digestive System I							3
VM	527	Endocrine System I							3
VM	528	Reproductive System I							2
VM	529	Urinary System I							2
VETERINARY MEDICINE (YEAR 2)
SEMESTER 3 (Fall) (19 credits)
VM	507	One Health III							1
VM	508	Veterinary Doctoring III							1
VM	509	Veterinary Career and Practice Management III							1
VM	530	Veterinary Science II							4
VM	531	Immunologic and Hematologic Systems II							3
VM	534	Cutaneous System II							3
VM	535	Reproductive System II							3
VM	536	Respiratory System II							3
SEMESTER 4 (Spring) (19 credits)
VM	510	One Health IV							1
VM	512	Veterinary Doctoring IV							1
VM	537	Veterinary Career and Practice Management  IV							1
VM	565	Cardiovascular System II							2
VM	568	Urinary System II							3
VM	569	Musculoskeletal System II							2
VM	571	Nervous System II							3
VM	575	Digestive System II							3
VM	577	Endocrine System II							3
VETERINARY MEDICINE (YEAR 3)
SEMESTER 5 (Fall) (19 credits)
VM	539	Veterinary Career and Practice Management V							1
VM	578	Clinical Reasoning I							8
VM	579	Clinical Reasoning II							7
VM	580	Surgical and Anesthetic Skills							3
SEMESTER 6 (Spring) (17 credits)
VM	581	Clinical Reasoning III							5
VM	582	Veterinary Clinical Experience							3
Complete 9 credits in required or elective clerkships.
VETERINARY MEDICINE (YEAR 4)
SEMESTERS 7 (Summer), 8 (Fall), 9 (Spring)
Students will be required to complete 30 required clerkship credits and an additional 15 credits of elective clerkship credits. Students complete their 9-credits of Preceptorship during Year 4 through enrollment in VM 611. The 9 credits in VM 611 must be completed in three consecutive, separate enrollments in consultation with the student’s advisor. Satisfactory completion of semesters one through six of the professional curriculum is required for enrollment in any of the listed clerkships.
REQUIRED CLERKSHIPS (30 credits)
LCS	616	Large Animal Medicine and Surgery							6
PDI	630	Diagnostic Pathology Clerkship							3
SCS	611	Diagnostic Imaging Clerkship							3
SCS	625	Small Animal Primary Care Clerkship							3
SCS	626	Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery Clerkship							3
SCS	646	Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship							3
SCS	647	Small Animal Internal Medicine Clerkship							3
SCS	648	Anesthesia Clerkship							3
SCS	695	Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Clerkship							3
ELECTIVE CLERKSHIPS
LCS	610	Clinical Problems in Large Animal Clinical Sciences							3
LCS	611	Research Problems in Large Animal Clinical Sciences							3
LCS	613	Special Problems in Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Off-Campus Sites							3
LCS	614	Equine Clinical Proficiency Clerkship							3
LCS	615	Equine Emergency and Critical Care Clerkship							3
LCS	621	Practice-Based Ambulatory Clerkship							3
LCS	622	Advanced Equine Clinical Clerkship							3
LCS	623	Equine Musculoskeletal Diseases Clerkship							3
LCS	624	Equine Theriogenology Clerkship							3
LCS	625	Equine Herd Health Clerkship							3
LCS	626	Advanced Equine Surgery Clerkship							3
LCS	627	Advanced Equine Medicine Clerkship							3
LCS	628	Techniques in Equine Anesthesia and Surgery							3
LCS	632	Advanced Food Animal Medicine and Surgery							3
LCS	640	Large Animal Anesthesia Clerkship							3
LCS	646	Equine Neonatal Medicine Clerkship							3
LCS	647	Concepts of Agricultural Practice Clerkship							3
LCS	660	Wildlife Disease Ecology and Management							3
LCS	677	Veterinary Preceptorship							3
LCS	678	Government and Corporate Veterinary Practice							3
LCS	679	Food Animal Production Medicine I							3
LCS	682	Food Animal Production Medicine II							3
LCS	685	Ruminant Health Problem Solving Clerkship							3
LCS	690	Veterinary Public Health Field Experience Clerkship							3
LCS	691	Veterinary Public Health Research Clerkship							3
MMG	690	Veterinary Microbiology Clerkship							3
PDI	610	Veterinary Gross Anatomy Dissection							3
PDI	611	Research Problems in Veterinary Anatomy							3
PDI	631	Necropsy Clerkship							3
PDI	632	Problems in Veterinary Pathology							3
PDI	633	Special Problems in Veterinary Pathology							3
PDI	634	Endocrinology Clerkship							3
PDI	635	Special Problems in Histopathology and Cytology Clerkship							3
PDI	636	Aquatic Animal Medicine Clerkship							3
PHM	658	Research Problems in Pharmacology or Toxicology							3
SCS	613	Diagnostic Ultrasound Clerkship							3
SCS	630	Spay/Neuter Clerkship							3
SCS	640	Cardiology Clerkship							3
SCS	641	Comparative Ophthalmology Clerkship							3
SCS	642	Zoo and Wildlife Clerkship							3
SCS	644	Dermatology Clerkship							3
SCS	651	Advanced Comparative Ophthalmology Clerkship							3
SCS	654	Clinical Medical Oncology Clerkship							3
SCS	670	Clinical Nutrition for Small Animals							3
SCS	690	Veterinary Molecular Biology Clerkship							3
SCS	693	Problems in Small Animal Clinical Sciences Clerkship							3
SCS	694	Small Animal Specialty Practice Clerkship							3
VM	611	Veterinary Externship							3
VM	690	Special Problems in Veterinary Medicine							3
VM	692	Career Development and Business Skills							3

Student Performance

The Committee on Student Performance monitors student performance in accordance with established College standards and offers assistance to students experiencing difficulties in the professional curriculum. An important function of this committee is to determine the reasons for student difficulties and recommend study schedules, counseling, and other means of helping the student perform in a satisfactory manner. The Committee on Student Performance may take appropriate academic disciplinary action consistent with the academic standards of the College and the Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities document.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Refer to the statement on Student Rights and Responsibilities in the General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations section of this catalog.

The College of Veterinary Medicine offers graduate programs in each of six departments: Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physiology, and Small Animal Clinical Sciences. These departments participate in the training of the master's degree programs. Doctor of Philosophy degree programs are offered in all departments except Small Animal Clinical Sciences. In addition, there are two college-based graduate programs: Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology (CMIB) (Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy) and Food Safety (Master of Science). Trainees in the CMIB program work on a diverse diseases and biological processes with foci ranging from the molecular, cellular, and organismal and population level. CMIB alumni are employed in academia, industry and government positions. In addition, the college is home to the online Food Safety Professional Master of Science program, highly valued by the food industry.

Post-D.V.M. training in various recognized clinical specialties are available including those in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Ophthalmology, Small Animal Internal Medicine, Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery, Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery, Large Animal Surgery, and Large Animal Internal Medicine.

Several colleges and departments offer Ph.D. programs with admission through The BioMolecular Science Gateway. These include graduate programs in: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology. The BioMolecular Science Gateway is administered through the College of Natural Science. For additional information, refer to the statement on the doctoral programs in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

The College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Engineering, and the College of Natural Science administer the graduate specialization in environmental toxicology.  The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is the primary administrative unit.  For additional information, refer to the Graduate Specialization in Environmental Toxicology statement in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog.

Several colleges and departments within Michigan State University cooperate in offering interdepartmental Doctor of Philosophy degree programs with majors in cell and molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience, which are administered by the College of Natural Science. For additional information, refer to the statement on the doctoral programs in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Students who are enrolled in master’s and doctoral degree programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Natural Science, and the College of Veterinary Medicine may elect the Graduate Specialization in Fish and Wildlife Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine. For additional information, refer to the statement on Graduate Specialization in Fish and Wildlife Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog.

For the master's degree, departments of the College of Veterinary Medicine recommend Plan A with thesis unless otherwise specified.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

A bachelor's degree is required of all applicants for graduate study. Admission must be approved by the department in which the applicant proposes to do the major work. Scholastic record, experience, personal qualifications, and area of subject–matter interest are considered by the department in determining the applicant's acceptability.

Upon admission, the master's student is classified in one of two categories:

1. Regular status: for those who have an undergraduate grade–point average of 3.00 or above and are otherwise qualified to undertake a master's program.
2. Provisional status: for those who have some remediable inadequacy of qualifications or subject–matter preparation.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree

Up to 10 credits may be allowed for thesis research (course number 899). The distribution of credits among major and minor areas is determined by the student's major department.

Residence

A minimum of 9 credits must be earned in residence on campus unless a department specifies more than 9 credits.

Time Limit

For the master's degree, the student must complete all requirements within six calendar years from the beginning of the first semester in which credit was earned toward the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy degree programs are offered in anatomy, large animal clinical sciences, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Admission to a doctoral program requires the approval of the department in which the applicant's major work is to be done.

The doctoral student is classified in one of two categories:

1. Regular status: for those who have a grade–point average in prior graduate work of 3.00 or above and who are otherwise qualified to undertake a doctoral program.
2. Provisional status: for those who have some remediable inadequacy of qualifications.

Students who are enrolled in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program may be granted approval to pursue simultaneously either a research–focused Master of Science degree or a Doctor of Philosophy degree. For additional information, interested students should refer to the Requirements for a Joint Master's Degree and Medical Degree or Special Programs statements in the Graduate Education section of this catalog. They should also contact the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College.

The Dual Degree Medical Scientist Training Program is a special program for students who want to earn both a professional veterinary doctoral degree (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) and a graduate research doctoral degree (Doctor of Philosophy). The program seeks to meet a national need for veterinarians who are proficient in research as well as in veterinary medicine, and who will pursue careers as faculty members in veterinary medical school and research institutions.

The program is designed to select, educate, and train highly motivated students having outstanding research and academic qualifications. Trainees pursue veterinary medical and graduate studies in parallel, meet regularly with peers in seminars, and engage in veterinary medical-level and graduate-level courses and clerkships, as well as in research with highly qualified mentors.

A student who is interested in this program should contact the Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

For additional information, refer to the statement on Special Programs in the Graduate Education section of this catalog.

 

Internships. The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences offers 13–month rotating internships designed to provide general clinical training for the post–D.V.M. student and a basis for further education in a specialty area.

Residencies. Residencies designed to meet the training requirement for board certification are offered in a variety of clinical specialties by the departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, and Pathology. Concurrent work toward an advanced degree is possible.

 

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.

 

The Master of Science in Food Safety is an online program designed for students who want to enhance their study of food safety.

The Master of Science is offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine. This integrated multidisciplinary program is designed for students with various disciplinary interests and experiences. It is particularly relevant for students whose professional careers are at the interface of research, regulatory affairs, production, marketing, finance, and management.

Admission

Applicants will be accepted after review by an admissions committee of faculty. An academic specialist will serve as the student’s academic advisor and will assist the student in planning a program of study that is related to the student’s interests and professional goals and that fulfills college and university requirements.

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited and recognized college or university with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The applicant must have completed at least 6 credits of college-level course work in biological sciences, including 3 credits in microbiology. A 300-level course or higher is recommended. The applicant must prove or demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English and submit a personal statement and three letters of recommendation. Experience in the workplace is weighed heavily in meeting requirements for admission.

Applicants who do not meet all of the requirements listed above may be admitted provisionally and permitted to enroll for collateral course work, not to count toward the degree. This course work must be approved beforehand by the program director.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Food Safety

The student must complete 30 credits under Plan B (without thesis). The specific program of study must be approved by the student’s academic advisor.

1.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
	FSC	810	International Food Laws and Regulations				3
	FSC	811	U.S. Food Laws and Regulations				3
2.	All of the following courses (18 credits):
	VM	810	Food Safety Introduction and Professional Management				3
	VM	811	Evolution and Ecology of Foodborne Pathogens				3
	VM	812	Food Safety Toxicology				3
	VM	815	Applied Project in Food Safety				3
	VM	830	Food Safety Research Methods				3
	VM	831	Foodborne Disease Epidemiology for the Professional				3
3.	Nine additional credits in electives approved by the student's academic advisor.
4.	Pass a final applied project.

Annette O'Connor, Chairperson

The Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences offers courses designed to meet the needs of the professional program in veterinary medicine and post-D.V.M. clinical training programs that provide the basis for specialty board certification in large animal medicine and surgery.

Many members of the faculty participate in graduate training at the master's and doctoral level through the interdepartmental program in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology.

Several colleges and departments within Michigan State University cooperate in offering interdepartmental Doctor of Philosophy degree programs with majors in cell and molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience, which are administered by the College of Natural Science. For additional information, refer to the statement on the doctoral programs in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Victor J. DiRita, Chairperson

GRADUATE STUDY

The Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology is administered jointly by the colleges of Veterinary Medicine,  Human Medicine, Natural Science, and Osteopathic Medicine.  All four of these colleges offer a Master of Science degree in microbiology and molecular genetics  and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in microbiology and molecular genetics. For additional information about the department and its graduate degree programs, refer to the statement on the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Dalen W. Agnew, Chairperson

The Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation offers courses for students in the professional program in Veterinary Medicine.  The department offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs.  Residency training in diagnostic veterinary anatomic or clinical pathology is also available.

Anne McLaren Dorrance, Chairperson

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is administered jointly by the colleges of Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine. The College of Veterinary Medicine is the primary administrative unit. All three colleges offer a Master of Science degree program in Laboratory Research in Pharmacology and Toxicology, a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and a Graduate Certificate in Safety Pharmacology. The College of Osteopathic Medicine offers an online Master of Science degree program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, an online Master of Science degree program in Integrative Pharmacology, and an online Graduate Certificate program in Safety Pharmacology. For additional information about the department and its graduate degree programs, refer to the statement on the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the College of Osteopathic Medicine section of this catalog.

The department is responsible for teaching the fundamental and applied aspects of pharmacology and toxicology and offers courses at the undergraduate, professional, and graduate levels. The principal objective of the departmental Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is to prepare students for pharmacology- and toxicology-related careers. 

A Minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology is available to undergraduates through the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Karl Olson, Chairperson

The Department of Physiology is administered jointly by the colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Human Medicine, Natural Science, and Osteopathic Medicine.  All four of these colleges offer a Master of Science degree program in molecular, cellular, and integrative physiology and Doctor of Philosophy degree program in molecular, cellular, and integrative physiology. For additional information about the department and its graduate degree programs, refer to the statement on the Department of Physiology in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Robert Charles Fowkes-Gajan, Chairperson

The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences offers courses designed to meet the needs of the professional program in veterinary medicine and post–D.V.M. clinical training programs that provide the basis for specialty board certification in various areas such as dermatology, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, ophthalmology, internal medicine, cardiology, anesthesiology and surgery.

Many members of the faculty participate in graduate training at the master's and doctoral level through the interdepartmental program in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology.

Several colleges and departments within Michigan State University cooperate in offering interdepartmental Doctor of Philosophy degree programs with majors in cell and molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience, which are administered by the College of Natural Science. For additional information, refer to the statement on the doctoral programs in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

 

Norbert E. Kaminski, Director

The Institute for Integrative Toxicology was established to facilitate and coordinate the varied programs in departments and colleges across the Michigan State University campus related to toxic substances which include multidisciplinary research, education, and training in toxicology.  These programs address almost all aspects of environmental toxicology with particular focus on adverse effects of chemical contaminants on living organisms.  Research spans a broad range from studies of biochemical and molecular mechanisms of toxicity to studies on the distribution and fate of chemicals in various environmental media.

The Institute for Integrative Toxicology administers the doctoral Program in Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences providing students with excellent training in a basic science discipline and training and credentials in environmental and integrative toxicological sciences.  Students who complete this multidisciplinary course of study earn the Ph.D. degree in a basic science discipline with a dual major in environmental toxicology.  In this way and through its colleges, Michigan State University makes study in the area of environmental toxicology available to graduate students.

Rachel Reams, Director

In the more than 30 years since its inception, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Michigan State University has become one of the country’s premier veterinary diagnostic laboratories whose mandate is to protect the public by ensuring the health of animals in Michigan and around the nation.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is a full-service laboratory with expertise provided in anatomic pathology, bacteriology, clinical pathology, endocrinology, immunodiagnostics/parasitology, nutrition, toxicology, and virology.

Faculty are appointed in academic departments and participate in teaching, research, diagnostic, and service programs.

It is fully accredited for all species by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.

Chris Gray, Director

The MSU Veterinary Medical Center provides specialty referral services for animals from across the state of Michigan as well as nationwide, and also offers primary care small animal services to the community. The Center, which treats more than 28,000 patients each year, provides the environment for teaching veterinary and veterinary technology students, as well as interns and residents. It maintains facilities for clinical research activities for graduate and postdoctoral students, residents, and faculty. Board-certified specialists deliver world-class care in anesthesiology, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, neurology, and surgery across all species. The Center is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.