Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences-Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Ph.D.

(PVMSC)

The School of Veterinary Medicine offers the M.S. and Ph.D. in veterinary medical sciences with emphasis in clinical sciences. The graduate program of study and research will be directed and evaluated by the student’s graduate committee. This committee will be composed of at least 3 members of the graduate faculty. Doctoral graduate students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of graduate courses, a comprehensive examination, final examination, and a dissertation.

The coursework requirement for the Ph.D. degree is 60 hours at the course level of 4000 or higher. At least 24 hours of courses at the 7000 level are required. Research and dissertation credits (VMED 8900 and VMED 9000) do not count toward the 7000 level requirement. The coursework, in conjunction with research training, will provide the student with the skills needed for continuing research independent of the major professor. The VCS coursework requirements are as follows:

• at least 24 hours of 7000 level or higher courses (VMED 8900, 9000 do not count toward this total)
• at least two statistic courses 7000 level (minimum of 6 credits) from the following EXST 7003, EXST 7004, EXST 7005, PBS 7002 PBS 7312
• at least six credit hours from the following VCS 7201-VCS 7215, CBS 7104, PBS 7431, CBS 7109, CBS 7628, ANSC 7051, ANSC 7052
• at least three credits of VCS 7001 (max. of 4) (Seminar)
• at least three credits of VCS 7210 (max. of 4) (Journal Review)
• a maximum of 6 hours VCS 7003 (Special Topics).
• VMED 7004 (2 credits) (Intro to Research)
• a minimum of 12 hours of research (VMED 8900, VMED 9000) with a maximum of 24 hours

4000 level courses that support general knowledge needed for research and to prepare for the above 7000 level courses are allowed if recommended by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee (for example Biology 4123 Immunology, Biology 4132 Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics, OCS 4038 Scientific Writing and Collaboration, Biological Engineering 4335 Tissue Engineering)

Candidates for the PhD degree are required to pass a comprehensive examination. This examination occurs within 3 years of onset of program and after completion of the majority of the student’s coursework. This examination may be oral, written or both, depending on the preference of the student’s graduate committee. Students that successfully complete part of the comprehensive examination but not all of the examination may be allowed a single retake at the discretion of the Graduate Advisory Committee.

The preparation of a dissertation is an important element in the program leading to the doctoral degree. The dissertation should demonstrate capacity for research, originality of thought, and facility in organizing materials. Final acceptance of the dissertation rests with a student’s graduate committee.

The dissertation must be successfully defended in a final defense and examination. A request for the final examination must be submitted to the Graduate School by the student’s department chair at least three weeks prior to the proposed examination date and by the current semester deadline, if the student is a candidate for a degree (see the academic calendar for all pertinent dates). The student should visit the Graduate School the semester before planned graduation for deadlines and procedures concerning requests for final examination. The examining committee, must have copies of the dissertation at least two weeks prior to the final examination. Typically, the final examination is an oral examination following the dissertation defense. The defense takes the form of a seminar, open to attendance by any interested parties. Following the seminar, the graduate student and the examination committee will convene and discuss the dissertation, asking questions of the graduate student.