Degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The profession of veterinary medicine is dedicated to the development of knowledge, skills, and techniques for maintaining optimal levels of health and quality of life for animals and people.
Upon successful completion of the professional curriculum at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree is conferred. This professional designation opens the doors to a wide array of careers in veterinary medicine, research and public health. The four-year curriculum provides students with a theoretical and practical foundation in basic biological sciences and medicine and a broad range of clinical training and experience.
Veterinary students at Illinois work with outstanding clinical and research faculty who are leaders in their fields. The core-elective curriculum allows for areas of emphasis within the educational experience of the DVM students. The clinical rotations in the fourth year allow for some specialization in a particular species.
During the first two years, students develop a sound foundation in basic sciences with courses such as veterinary anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, parasitology, and pharmacology. Students in the third year enroll in medicine and surgery courses and learn diagnostic and surgical skills in laboratories.
In the final year, seniors work with veterinary faculty, clients and patients in the College's teaching hospital and diagnostic laboratory. Rotations through clinical sections in the teaching hospital give senior students experience in small animal, food animal, and equine medicine and surgery, radiology, anesthesiology, field services, and diagnostics. After a basic series of clinical experiences, students can select rotations in either the basic areas represented in the teaching hospital or in areas of special interest, such as aquatics, beef cattle, equine, laboratory animal, ophthalmology, and swine.