(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. The coursework, in conjunction with research training, will provide the student with the skills needed for continuing research independent of the major progessor. The VCS coursework requirements are as follows:
- at least 14 credits of VCS courses.
- at least two statistic courses (minimum of 6 credits)
- 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.
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.
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 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.