Course Information Suite

Veterinary Medical Science

www.vetmed.illinois.edu/vcm
Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine: Herbert E. Whiteley
Prospective students for the Veterinary Medical Scholars Program may contact:
Dr. Lois Hoyer
Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies
2001 South Lincoln Ave.
Urbana, IL 61802
Contact: Nikki Hausmann, nhausman@illinois.edu
217-333-4291
www.vetmed.illinois.edu/asa/vmsp.html

Prospective students for the D.V.M./MPH program may contact:
Dr. John Herrmann, jah3110@illinois.edu
www.vetmed.illinois.edu/asa/dualdeg.htmll

Major: Veterinary Medical Science 
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Off campus program: M.S.

The Veterinary Medical Science graduate program is not accepting applications at this time.

Comparative Biosciences

Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine: Herbert E. Whiteley
Head of the Department: Duncan C. Ferguson
Director of Graduate Studies: Aslam Hassan
3516 VMBSB
2001 S. Lincoln Avenue
Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 333-2506
E-mail: compbioscigradprog@vetmed.illinois.edu

Major: Veterinary Medical Science – Comparative Biosciences  
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.

Joint Degree Program: Veterinary Medical Scholars Program
Degrees Offered: D.V.M and M.S., D.V.M. and Ph.D.

Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Veterinary Medical Science – Comparative Biosciences and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program

Graduate Degree Programs

The Department of Comparative Biosciences offers graduate work leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Areas of specialization include physiology, pharmacology, and toxicology. Each area has a core of required courses supplemented by other courses within the Department of Comparative Biosciences and from other departments of the Graduate College. Adequate laboratory and animal holding space to conduct the research of the faculty and graduate students is provided in the Basic Sciences Building, Veterinary Teaching Hospitals, and the Veterinary Research Farm.

Admission

Applicants for graduate study in comparative biosciences must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0). Grade point averages will be calculated on the last 60 hours of undergraduate studies for those without the D.V.M. degree and on the entire professional curriculum for those with the D.V.M., or equivalent, degree. Applicants with a graduate degree or with some graduate coursework will be evaluated on the basis of their graduate work as well as their undergraduate or professional records. Qualifications of students must be approved by the department’s Graduate Studies Committee.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required and must have been taken within the last five years prior to application. Candidates must score an average in the 80th percentile or higher on each of the three portions of the GRE to be eligible for consideration.

International applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A score of at least 600 on the paper-based test, or 250 on the computer-based test, is required. Those applicants who gain admission on the basis of their academic credentials, but score below 600 on the TOEFL, will be admitted on limited status and required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) upon their arrival. Students are exempt from the TOEFL requirement if they have completed at least two academic years of full-time study at an institution where the language of instruction is English during the five-year period prior to the proposed date of enrollment. Students also need to take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) oral exam and score at least 50. We are not accepting applications for the M.S./D.V.M. program at this time.

Degree Requirements

*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate degree requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.

Master of Science

Required Courses: Required Hours
MCB 450 and PATH 524 7
CB 590 1
CB 591, may be repeated for up to 2 hours of credit 1-2
Research/Project/Independent Study Hours  (min/max applied toward degree): max 4
Thesis Hours Required – CB 599 (min/max applied toward degree): 0-12
Total Hours 32
Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit:
8 (500 level)
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall:
12
Other Requirements:*  
Students may be required to take additional courses as recommended by Advisory Committees or Department Divisions  
Final comprehensive examination  
Minimum GPA: 3.0

Doctor of Philosophy

Required Courses: Required Hours
CB 590 1
CB 591, may be repeated for up to 4 hours of credit 2
MCB 450 or 501 3-4
PATH 524 or CPSC 440 4
Research/Project/Independent Study Hours  (min/max applied toward degree): max 8 (max 12 for B.S. to Ph.D.)
Thesis Hours Required – VB 599 or CB 599 (min/max applied toward degree): 0 min
Total Hours 64
Other Requirements:*  
Students may be required to take additional courses as recommended by Advisory Committees or Department Divisions  
64 hours (including thesis research) earned in courses meeting on the Urbana-Champaign campus, on the Chicago campus, or in other locations approved by the Graduate College for graduate credit  
Teaching experience is required  
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Masters Degree Required for Admission to Ph.D.? No, but Masters level requirements must be met (32 hours min)
Qualifying Exam Required Yes
Preliminary Exam Required Yes
Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required Yes
Dissertation Deposit Required Yes

Joint Degree Program

Students accepted into the Veterinary Medical Scholars Program can complete a D.V.M. and Ph.D. simultaneously.

Dual Degree Program

Students accepted into the Medical Scholars Program can complete a M.D. and Ph.D. simultaneously.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is required as part of the academic work of all M.S. and Ph.D. candidates in this program.

Faculty Research Interests

Faculty members in the Divisions of Physiology and Morphology, who identify themselves as reproductive biologists, have focused their efforts on sex steroid effects on a variety of different physiological systems relating to reproduction.  Faculty members from the Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and some of the same faculty from reproductive biology, have combined efforts to focus on the effects of endocrine disruptors (many with estrogen-like effects) in the environment.  Other faculty members are investigating estrogen effects on the cardiovascular system.  This emphasis on the effects of sex steroid hormones on many different systems has been effective in helping to unite a diverse faculty and has provided common interest for seminars and collaborative research.  In addition, some faculty are focusing their efforts in stem cell research.

Centers, Programs, and Institutes

A NIH training grant entitled: "Research Training in Environmental Toxicology" is the first such Training Grant in the College and is a clear indication that our program has matured.  Dr. Sue Schantz directs the training grant and is also the Director of the FRIENDS Children's Environmental Health Center.

Financial Aid

A limited number of research and teaching assistantships or associate positions are available.

Veterinary Clinical Medicine

http://www.vetmed.illinois.edu/vcm

Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine: Herbert E. Whiteley
Head of the Department: David A. Williams
Director of Graduate Studies: Matthew C. Stewart
242 Small Animal Clinic
1008 West Hazelwood Drive
Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 333-5310

Prospective students may contact:
Carol Foley, Education Secretary
(217) 333-5310
Fax: (217) 244-1475
E-mail: foly@illinois.edu

Major: Veterinary Medical Science – Veterinary Clinical Medicine
Degrees offered: M.S., Ph.D.

Joint Degree Program: Veterinary Medical Scholars Program
Degrees Offered: D.V.M and M.S., D.V.M. and Ph.D.

Admission

Admission requirements include a doctor of veterinary medicine (D.V.M.) degree or equivalent. By petition, non-D.V.M.s may be admitted. Applicants for graduate study in veterinary clinical medicine must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0). Admission averages are computed from the entire professional curriculum or from the last 60 hours of undergraduate studies for those without the D.V.M. degree. Applicants with a grade point average between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for admission on limited status on the basis of individual merit. Applicants who have a prior graduate degree or who have completed some graduate course work will be evaluated on the basis of their graduate work as well as their under- graduate or professional records. Acceptance of students must be approved by the department's Graduate Committee.

International applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory performance on TOEFL or other tests designed to test proficiency in English. International students must also submit evidence of financial support. Such support should be discussed with the department head before formal application is made. We are not accepting applications for the M.S./D.V.M. program at this time.

Graduate Degree Programs

The Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine offers a graduate program leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. The primary goal of graduate programs in veterinary clinical medicine is to prepare students for careers involving research and/or teaching in a specialty area. Graduate work in veterinary clinical medicine may be pursued in several areas, including anesthesiology, equine medicine and surgery, farm animal reproduction, medicine, and surgery, imaging/radiation therapy, small animal medicine (emergency and critical care, internal medicine), small animal surgery, and specialty medicine (cardiology, dermatology, oncology, ophthalmology). The department, with the teaching hospital, has facilities and equipment for studying the health and diseases of animals.

After completing graduate work, the student will be able to conduct research both independently and as a team member. Adequate training in planning research projects and writing research proposals will give the student the ability to function with teams of scientists from various areas of the biomedical field. Experience in clinical teaching and literature study will form the basis for the student's development of teaching programs within his or her discipline.

A residency program, designed to train a veterinarian for specialty clinical practice, can be combined with the graduate program. While a graduate program can be accomplished in a shorter time period, the duration of combined programs is usually three years, reflecting the time required to satisfy the objective of each program. Details of the residency program can be obtained from the head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine.

Degree Requirements

*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate degree requirements and the Graduate College Handbook

Master of Science

Required Courses: Thesis option - Required Hours Non-thesis option - Required Hours
One statistics course    
VCM 590 1 1
VCM 592, optional   0-4
Research/Project/Independent Study Hours  (min/max applied toward degree):   max 8
Thesis Hours Required – VCM 599 (min/max applied toward degree): 12  
Total Hours 32 32
Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit:
8 8
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall:
12 (not including 599 or 590) 12 (not including 590)
Other Requirements:*   Research paper submitted and accepted for publication
Teaching experience is required    
Oral exam    
Cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0)    

The requirements for this degree include completion of a thesis that conforms to the requirements of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine. The non-thesis option requires departmental approval.

The candidate must complete all requirements of the department and the Graduate College and pass the stipulated examinations. The final M.S. examination consists of a presentation of the thesis in the form of a departmental seminar (VCM 590). The seminar is followed by an oral examination administered by the candidate's committee and the department head. The student must demonstrate the ability to design and conduct independent research in order to be granted the M.S. degree.

Doctor of Philosophy

Required Courses: Required Hours
Seminar 2
Thesis Hours Required– VCM 599 (min/max applied toward degree): 0 min
Total Hours 64
Other Requirements:*  
Teaching experience is required  
64 hours (including thesis research) earned in courses meeting on the Urbana-Champaign campus, on the Chicago campus, or in other locations approved by the Graduate College for graduate credit  
Cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0)  
Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? No, but Masters level requirements must be met (32 hours min)
Qualifying Exam Required Yes
Preliminary Exam Required Yes
Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required Yes
Dissertation Deposit Required Yes

Joint Degree Program
Students accepted into the Veterinary Medical Scholars Program can complete a D.V.M. and Ph.D. simultaneously.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is required as part of the academic work of all M.S. candidates in this program.

Financial Aid

A limited number of teaching associate positions are available.

Pathobiology

www.vetmed.illinois.edu/path

Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine: Herbert E. Whiteley
Head of the Department: Daniel L. Rock
Director of Graduate Studies: Mariangela Segre
2522 Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building
2001 South Lincoln Avenue
Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 333-2449
Paula Moxley pkm@illinois.edu

Major: Veterinary Medical Science - Pathobiology
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.

Joint Degree Program: Veterinary Medical Scholars Program
Degrees Offered: D.V.M and M.S., D.V.M. and Ph.D.

Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pathobiology and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program.

Graduate Degree Programs

The Department of Pathobiology offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Areas of specialization include epidemiology, infectious diseases, immunology, microbiology, parasitology, anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, and toxicologic pathology. Each specialty area has a core of required courses supplemented by other courses within the Department of Pathobiology and from other departments of the Graduate College.

Admission

Applicants for graduate study in pathobiology must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0). Applicants with a grade point average between 2.75 and 3.0 may be considered for admission on a probationary status on the basis of individual merit. Grade point averages will be calculated on the last 60 hours of undergraduate studies for those without the D.V.M. degree or on the entire professional curriculum for those with the D.V.M. degree. Applicants with a graduate degree or with some graduate coursework will be evaluated on the basis of their graduate work as well as their undergraduate or professional record. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum is 243 on the computer-based test, the Test of Spoken English (TSE) is also required. Admission for spring semester is possible. Qualifications of students must be approved by the department's committee on admission of graduate students. We are not accepting applications for the M.S./D.V.M. program at this time.

Degree Requirements

*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate degree requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.

Master of Science

Required Courses: Thesis option - Required Hours Non-thesis option - Required Hours
PATH 590 1 1
PATH 524 4 4
Thesis Hours Required – PATH 599 (min/max applied toward degree): 0 min  
Total Hours 32 32
Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit:
12 12
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall:
12 (4 in PATH) 12 (4 in PATH)
Other Requirements:*   A publishable manuscript
Final comprehensive examination    
Minimum GPA: 3.0 3.0

Doctor of Philosophy

Required Courses: Required Hours
PATH 590 2
PATH 524 4
Elective hours outside of PATH and within the Graduate College 12
Thesis Hours Required – PATH 599 (min/max applied toward degree): 0 min
Total Hours 64
Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit:
52 (including 599)
Other Requirements:*  
Teaching experience is required  
Communicative skills requirements  
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? No, but Masters level requirements must be met (32 hours min)
Qualifying Exam Required No
Preliminary Exam Required Yes
Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required Yes
Dissertation Deposit Required Yes

Specialization in Infectious Diseases

The Department of Pathobiology offers an area of specialization in infectious diseases. The program is flexible and provides the student with proficiency in several areas of microbiology, parasitology, epidemiology, immunology, and molecular pathogenesis of infectious disease and ecology of infectious diseases. Students electing this area should have completed coursework in basic genetics, biochemistry, and microbiology. The program of study for each student in the specialization is decided individually. Interested students should direct inquiries and applications to the department.

Specialization in Toxicologic Pathology

The Department of Pathobiology offers an area of specialization in toxicologic pathology. This program is an integration of pathology and toxicology, which can range from animal models to biochemical toxicology in an experimental setting. Veterinarians entering this specialization will be specifically trained in toxicologic pathology so they can function as competent and innovative professionals and assume leadership roles in academia, government, and industry. Students electing this area should have completed coursework in the D.V.M. curriculum. The program of study for each student in the specialization is decided individually. Interested students should direct inquiries and applications to the department. Students completing the specialization will be qualified to take the ACVP Board examinations during the program.

Joint Degree Program

Students accepted into the Veterinary Medical Scholars Program can complete a D.V.M. and Ph.D. simultaneously.

Dual Degree Program

Students accepted into the Medical Scholars Program can complete a M.D. and Ph.D. simultaneously.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is required as part of the academic work of all Ph.D. candidates in this program.

Financial Aid

A limited number of teaching and research assistantships or associate positions are available.