College of Veterinary Medicine

www.vetmed.vt.edu/

Gerhardt G. Schurig, Dean
Associate Dean for Professional Programs:
Jennifer L. Hodgson
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies:
Roger J. Avery
College of Vet MedAssistant Dean for Administration: J. Michael Harness
Professors: S. A. Ahmed; R. J. Avery; V. A. Buechner-Maxwell;
G. B. Daniel; M. F. Ehrich; F.C. Elvinger; M. O. Furr;
D. R. Hodgson; K. D. Inzana; T. J. Inzana; M.L. Larson;
M. S. Leib; D. S. Lindsay; X. J. Meng; W. E. Monroe;
D. L. Panciera; F.W. Pierson; K. D. Pelzer; J. P. Pickett;
B. J. Purswell; J. L. Robertson; G. G. Schurig; S. A. Smith;
D. P. Sponenberg; N. Sriranganathan; K.E. Sullins;
W. S. Swecker, Jr.; G. C. Troy; N. A. White, II; W. D. Whittier;
J. R. Wilcke
Associate Professors: J.A. Abbott; M.Borgarelli; T. Caceci;
S. G. Clark; L.A. Dahlgren; L. A. Eng; L. E. Freeman; D.C. Grant; I. P. Herring; J. L. Hodgson; W. R. Huckle; B. G. Klein; O. I. Lanz; Y. W. Lee; H. C. McKenzie, III; D. M. Moore; B.J. Pierce;
R. S. Pleasant; P. C. Roberts; J.H. Rossmeisl; G. K. Saunders; W. K. Scarratt; B. J. Smith; S. G. Witonsky; A. M. Zajac;
K. Zimmerman
Assistant Professors: J.G. Barrett; L.E. Bartl; D. Caudell; S.F. Diaz-Vergara; M.D. Freeman; J.Q. He; P.N. Henao-Guerrero;
M.B. Killos; X.M. Luo; T. LeRoith; E.I. Miller; D.A. Neelis; T.E. Pancotto; C.H. Ricco Pereira; E. Subbiah; M.H. Theus;
A.R. Tyson, III; N. Weinstein; L. Yuan
Research Associate Professor: W. Eyestone
Research Assistant Professors: A.B.P.A. Bandara; D. Cao; R. Dai; J. M. Green; T. Hrubec; Y. Huang; Y. Karpe; S. Kenney;
S. Kumar; G. Li; W. Li; M.R. Prater; C. Reilly; B. Rzigalinski; S. Subramaniam; Y. Wang; S.M. Werre; L. Zhou
Clinical Professor:
E.M. Gaughan
Clinical Associate Professors: M.N. Adams; J. F. Currin
Clinical Assistant Professors: M.N. Adams; J. A. Brown; J. M. Cissell; D. R. Cook; A. M. Desrochers; R. A. Funk; S.R. Guynn; J.M. Settlage; K. E. Wilson
Clinical Instructors: M. Cissell; T. Gillian; H. Schramm; C. Trincado; K. E. Wilson
Adjunct Faculty: S. B. Barker; J.Bassaganya-Riera; I. Becvarova; M. J. Bowen; C. G. Byers; M. V. Crisman; J. P. Dubey;
B. M. Dunham; M. R. Finkler; M. A. Gomez Jaramillo; J. C. Gutierrez Toro; A. W. Hayes; Z. Jia; V. Kok; L. Li; Y. Li; C. J. McNeill; D.L. McRurer; O. A. Peralta Troncoso; S. L. Porter; I. Sandal; A. Santo; S. Schwartz; J. Sleeman; S. J. Stahl; M. L. Tilghman;
L. Tobias; R. Vemulapalli; H. Zhu


Overview

    Founded by the Virginia General Assembly in 1978, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine is a regional school for the professional training of veterinarians which has been built upon the strong foundations of two of the nation's leading land-grant universities: Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and the University of Maryland at College Park. The College operates three campuses, including the main campus facilities at Virginia Tech, the Avrum Gudelsky Veterinary Center at College Park, and the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg.

Graduate Programs

    The graduate program leads to the M.S. and Ph.D. in biomedical and veterinary sciences. The goal of this program is to enhance the research capabilities of the graduates so that they can conduct independent research and associated societal endeavors aimed at solving biomedical problems related to veterinary medicine. These individuals will be expected to make scientific contributions in academia, research, and animal health administration.

    For additional information, contact the Graduate School via e-mail vmsgrad@vt.edu.

The Professional Program

    Students desiring admission to the four-year instructional program leading to the D.V.M. degree must show evidence of intellectual ability and achievement, as well as personal preparation for the curriculum and the profession. Because the number of applicants greatly exceeds the number of spaces in entering classes, only those who demonstrate such qualifications to a high degree will be selected. Most entering students will have completed three or more years at an accredited university by the time of matriculation; however, applications will be accepted from students who have completed at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of university credit by the end of the spring term of the year for which application is being made, and who have a grade point average of at least 2.8 on a four-point scale. Exceptional students with the minimum university course work are encouraged to apply.

    A number of college courses, with laboratory classes, are required for entry into the DVM program including biological sciences, organic chemistry, and physics. An 8-semester-hour or 12-quarter-hour sequence is required for each of these subjects. A one-semester course (3 s.h.) in biochemistry will meet the minimum requirement for entry.

    Further courses required include 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of college-level courses in English, mathematics, and humanities/social sciences. In addition, many courses contributing to a well-rounded liberal education are of direct value and, although proficiency in the sciences is essential to the understanding of veterinary medicine, concentration on the sciences at the undergraduate level is not essential. Those students who elect to major in disciplines other than the biological sciences, chemistry, or physics may find less difficulty in coping with the basic sciences in veterinary medical school if they have, in addition to the above mentioned required courses, some work in either advanced biology or advanced chemistry. Suggested electives include: biostatistics; cell biology, comparative anatomy, genetics, microbiology, nutrition, physiology, or domestic animal production courses. Since veterinary medicine also is concerned with a variety of social, environmental, and community activities, a broad cultural background as well as a technical education is required. Basic computer skills are highly desirable.

    Admissions inquiries should be directed to the individuals listed below:

Jacque Pelzer, D.V.M. Ms. Joyce D. Massie
Director of Admissions and Student Services
Admissions Coordinator

Admissions Office
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
540/231-4699
E-mail: dvmadmit@vt.edu
Website: www.vetmed.vt.edu

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Professional Program Courses

Professional program courses leading to the D.V.M. degree carry the veterinary medicine (VM) prefix.
8004: Professional Foundations In Veterinary Medicine
8014 (BMVS 5434): Veterinary Anatomy I
8024: Descriptive Embryology
8034 (BMVS 5454): Veterinary Physiology I
8044: Medical Biochemistry
8054: Veterinary Histology
8064 (BMVS 5044): Veterinary Immunology
8074: Large Animal Husbandry
8084: Veterinary Epidemiology
8094: Clinical Perspectives
8104 (BMVS 5474): Veterinary Neurobiology
8114 (BMVS 5444): Veterinary Anatomy II
8124 (BMVS 5054): Veterinary Virology
8134 (BMVS 5464): Veterinary Physiology II
8144: Veterinary Ethology
8244: Morphology Of Wild Mammals
8234: Fundamentals Of Nutrition
8254 (BMVS 5814): Functional Morphology Birds, Reptiles
8264 (BMVS 5824): Small Animal Nutrition
8274: Topics In Veterinary Pharmacology
8284: Veterinary Musculoskeletal System
8304: Veterinary Pathology I
8314 (BMVS 5244): Fundamentals Of Veterinary Pharmacology
8324 (BMVS 5744): Veterinary Parasitology
8334 (BMVS 5754): Veterinary Bacteriology & Mycology
8344: Veterinary Opthalmology
8354: Veterinary Clinical Techniques
8374: Fundamentals of Theriogenology
8384 (BMVS 5834): Food Animal Nutrition
8394 (BMVS 5844): Equine Nutrition
8404: Veterinary Pathology II
8414 (BMVS 5734): Clinical Pathology
8424 (BMVS 5254): Veterinary Toxicology
8434: Veterinary PUBLIC HEALTH
8444: Veterinary Anesthesiology
8454: Veterinary Clinical Nutrition
8474: Reproductive Pathology
8485-8486-8487: Bovine Reproductive Management
8494 (BMVS 5764): Aquatic Medicine/Fish Health
8514 (BMVS 6514): Equine Theriogenology
8524: Equine Clinical Problem Solving
8534 (BMVS 5564): Introduction To Clinical Research
8544: Veterinary Radiology
8554: General Veterinary Medicine
8574: Food Animal Theriogenology
8585, 8586, 8587: Small Animal Medicine
8594: Wildlife Medicine
8614: Veterinary Gastroenterology
8615, 8616: Food Animal Medicine And Surgery
8624: Veterinary Surgical Principles and Practicals
8644: Urology
8654: Veterinary Neurology
8674: Veterinary Hemolymphatic System
8684 (BMVS 6554): Advanced Epidemiology
8686: Introduction To Clinics
8694: Advanced Small Animal Techniques
8695, 8696: Equine Medicine And Surgery
8754 (BMVS 5864): Veterinary Cardiorespiratory System
8764: Veterinary Dermatology and Endocrinology
8784: Clinical Pharmacology
8804: Complementary Medicine
8854: Veterinary Career Development
8864: Effective Communication in Veterinary Practice
8874: Ferret Medicine & Surgery
8984: Special Study
9004: Avian Medicine And Surgery
9014: Advanced Diagnostic Imaging
9034: Advanced Small Animal Surgery
9044: Food Animal Clinical Problem Solving
9054: Food Safety for Veterinarians
9064: Advanced Histopathology
9074: Goat And Sheep Medicine
9085-9086 (BMVS 5005-5006): Emerging Infectious Diseases
9094 (BMVS 6564): Advanced Veterinary Public Health
9095-9096 (BMVS 5305-5306): Veterinary Oncology
9104: Business Management
9114: Toxicology of Poisonous Plants Affecting Livestock
9124: Advanced Equine Theriogenology
9134: Advanced Small Animal Surgery Lab
9144: Problem Solving In Small Animal Medicine
9174: Equine Neonatology & Pediatrics
9184: Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine
9204 (BMVS 4084): Medical Toxicology
9214 (BMVS 6574): Animals and Public Policy
9224: Clinical Applications In Exotic Animal Medicine
9234 (BMVS 6584): Veterinary Public Policy
9244 (BMVS 6594): International Veterinary Medicine
9254: Small Animal Theriogenology
9264: Small Animal Community Practice Clerkship
9404: Specialty Medicine Clerkship
9424: Avian Medicine Elective Clerkship
9434: Small Animal Medicine Clerkship
9454: Veterinary Ophthalmology Elective Clerkship
9464: Radiology (Ultrasound) Elective Clerkship
9504: Large Animal Clinical Services Clerkship
9534: Production Management Medicine Clerkship
9544: Equine Medical Center Clerkship
9554: Lge Animal Clin. Services Elective Clerkship
9564: Food Animal Elective Clerkship
9574: Production Mgt Medicine Elective Clerkship
9584: Small Animal Theriogenology Clerkship
9594: Theriogenology Elective Clerkship
9604: Sm. Ruminant/Pseudoruminant Elec. Clerkship
9614: Small Animal Surgery Clerkship
9624: Anesthesiology Clerkship
9634: Radiology Clerkship
9644: Small Animal Private Practice Clerkship
9654: Small Animal Internal Med. Elective Clerkship
9664: Small Animal Surgery Elective Clerkship
9674: Small Animal Spec. Practice Elective Clerkship
9684: Small Animal Emergency Med. Elective Clerkship
9694: Anesthesiology Elective Clerkship
9704: Clinical Pathology Clerkship
9714: Govt & Corp. Veterinary Medicine Clerkship
9724: Laboratory Services Clerkship
9744: Morphologic Pathology Elective Clerkship
9764: Independent Study Elective Clerkship
9774: Self-Initiated Elective Clerkship
9784: Govt & Corp. Vet. Med. Elective Clerkship
9794: Ctr. For Govt. And Corp. Vet. Medicine Clerkship
9804: Food Animal Private Practice Clerkship
9814: Equine Private Practice Clerkship
9824: Mixed Species Private Practice Clerkship
9834: Equine Theriogenology Clerkship
9844: Food Animal Theriogenology Clerkship

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Vet with catUndergraduate Courses (BMVS)

4014: ANIMAL DOMESTICATION AND GENETIC RESOURCES
Considers the process, history, sociology and geography of animal domestication. Includes behavioral, physiologic and morphological changes incurred by domesticated stocks. Examines genetic variability of domestic species, considers breed groups and uniquely adapted breeds. Considers reasons for erosion of genetic variability and mechanisms to counteract such erosion. International in scope. Pre: senior status or enrollment in veterinary professional curriculum. I (1H,1C)

4024: DISEASES OF POULTRY
Biology control and prevention of poultry diseases. Taught alternate years. I (2H,2C)

4034 (BCHM 4034): ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TOXICOLOGY
Health effects associated with the exposure to chemicals, identifying and managing problems of chemical exposure in the work places and the environment, fundamental principles of biopharmaceutics and toxicokinetics, and risk assessment. Emphasis on conceptual understanding of chemical entry into the body, biotransformation, or degradation multiple chemical sensitivity, and chemically induced diseases. Identification of nutrient interactions with environmentally induced disorders and to understand the mechanisms of such interactions and their influence on human health and welfare. Pre: BIOL 2104 or BIOL 3124, ALS 2304 or BIOL 2406 or BCHM 3114. (3H,3C)

4054: LABORATORY ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
This course involves a study of the principles of laboratory animal science, providing the student with a basic understanding of the laws and regulations governing the care and use of animals, husbandry and surgery of a variety of lab animal species, and variables which can adversely affect animal research. Through formal lectures, discussions, and laboratory sessions, the course is designed to complement graduate studies in biological, biomedical, and life sciences which involve the use of animals in research. (2H,3L,3C)

4064 (BMES 4064): INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY
An introductory course to the principles of medical physiology, designed primarily for -- but not limited to -- undergraduate and graduate students majoring in biomedical engineering, and other related engineering and physical sciences majors with little or no formal background in biological sciences. The focus is on basic principles and concepts of physiology with a special emphasis on the interactions of human systems biology in their entirety rather than individual genes and pathways. Not intended for students expecting to major in biology or planning to enter health professional fields. Pre: Junior standing or permission of the instructor. (3H,3C)

4074: PHARMACOLOGY
A basic course in the science of pharmacology, intended to provide an understanding of the mechanisms of action and physiological systemic effects of major classes of drugs of biological, agricultural, social, and medical importance. Must have prerequisites or equivalent. Pre: CHEM 2514 or CHEM 2535 or ALS 2304 or BIOL 2406. (3H,3C)

4084 (VM 9204): MEDICAL TOXICOLOGY
Adverse health effects of exposure to drugs or substances of abuse. Covers principles of toxicodynamics, toxicokinetics, biotransformation, diagnosis and treatment. Emphasis will be placed on mechanism(s) of action of the various drug classes, body system(s) affected, clinical manifestations of problems and the resulting adverse effects on human health and society. Methods of treatment and client education will also be addressed. Laws controlling and governing the use of these drugs/substances and the agencies responsible for them will also be covered. Pre: third year standing in DVM curriculum. Pre: (CHEM 2514 or CHEM 2535), (BIOL 2406 or ALS 2304), (MATH 1015). (2H,2C)

4094: VERTEBRATE DEVELOPMENT
A comprehensive exposition of developmental events and anatomy in vertebrates, with emphasis on mammals. Clinical correlations with congenital illness and malformations are stressed. Intended to give students in the life sciences a background in the organization of anatomy and extensive understanding of the processes of ontogeny. Appropriate for majors in Biology, Animal Science, pre-medical, pre-veterinary, and other pre-professional programs. Spring alternate years. Pre: Permission of the instructors. (3H,3L,4C)

4104: TOPICS IN PHARMACOLOGY
Designed for senior undergraduates and graduate students desiring in-depth study of selected topics in pharmacology - tailored to individual students' careers, e.g: research, government service, academia. Essay/seminar format provides opportunity to develop oral and written communication skills. Pre: Pharmacology I: 4074 (3 credits) or equivalent. Pre: 4074. (3H,3C)

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

4994H: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Honors section Variable credit course.

Undergraduate Courses (BMSP)


4014: ANIMAL DOMESTICATION AND GENETIC RESOURCES
Considers the process, history, sociology and geography of animal domestication. Includes behavioral, physiologic and morphological changes incurred by domesticated stocks. Examines genetic variability of domestic species, considers breed groups and uniquely adapted breeds. Considers reasons for erosion of genetic variability and mechanisms to counteract such erosion. International in scope. Pre: senior status or enrollment in veterinary professional curriculum. I (1H,1C)

4024: DISEASES OF POULTRY
Biology control and prevention of poultry diseases. Taught alternate years. I (2H,2C)

4034 (BCHM 4034): ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TOXICOLOGY
Health effects associated with the exposure to chemicals, identifying and managing problems of chemical exposure in the work places and the environment, fundamental principles of biopharmaceutics and toxicokinetics, and risk assessment. Emphasis on conceptual understanding of chemical entry into the body, biotransformation, or degradation multiple chemical sensitivity, and chemically induced diseases. Identification of nutrient interactions with environmentally induced disorders and to understand the mechanisms of such interactions and their influence on human health and welfare. Pre: BIOL 2104 or BIOL 3124, ALS 2304 or BIOL 2406 or BCHM 3114. (3H,3C)

4054: LABORATORY ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
This course involves a study of the principles of laboratory animal science, providing the student with a basic understanding of the laws and regulations governing the care and use of animals, husbandry and surgery of a variety of lab animal species, and variables which can adversely affect animal research. Through formal lectures, discussions, and laboratory sessions, the course is designed to complement graduate studies in biological, biomedical, and life sciences which involve the use of animals in research. (2H,3L,3C)

4064 (BMES 4064): INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY
An introductory course to the principles of medical physiology, designed primarily for -- but not limited to -- undergraduate and graduate students majoring in biomedical engineering, and other related engineering and physical sciences majors with little or no formal background in biological sciences. The focus is on basic principles and concepts of physiology with a special emphasis on the interactions of human systems biology in their entirety rather than individual genes and pathways. Not intended for students expecting to major in biology or planning to enter health professional fields. Pre: Junior standing or permission of the instructor. (3H,3C)

4074: PHARMACOLOGY
A basic course in the science of pharmacology, intended to provide an understanding of the mechanisms of action and physiological systemic effects of major classes of drugs of biological, agricultural, social, and medical importance. Must have prerequisites or equivalent. Pre: CHEM 2514 or CHEM 2535 or ALS 2304 or BIOL 2406. (3H,3C)

4084 (VM 9204): MEDICAL TOXICOLOGY
Adverse health effects of exposure to drugs or substances of abuse. Covers principles of toxicodynamics, toxicokinetics, biotransformation, diagnosis and treatment. Emphasis will be placed on mechanism(s) of action of the various drug classes, body system(s) affected, clinical manifestations of problems and the resulting adverse effects on human health and society. Methods of treatment and client education will also be addressed. Laws controlling and governing the use of these drugs/substances and the agencies responsible for them will also be covered. Pre: third year standing in DVM curriculum. Pre: (CHEM 2514 or CHEM 2535), (BIOL 2406 or ALS 2304), (MATH 1015). (2H,2C)

4094: VERTEBRATE DEVELOPMENT
A comprehensive exposition of developmental events and anatomy in vertebrates, with emphasis on mammals. Clinical correlations with congenital illness and malformations are stressed. Intended to give students in the life sciences a background in the organization of anatomy and extensive understanding of the processes of ontogeny. Appropriate for majors in Biology, Animal Science, pre-medical, pre-veterinary, and other pre-professional programs. Spring alternate years. Pre: Permission of the instructors. (3H,3L,4C)

4104: TOPICS IN PHARMACOLOGY
Designed for senior undergraduates and graduate students desiring in-depth study of selected topics in pharmacology - tailored to individual students' careers, e.g: research, government service, academia. Essay/seminar format provides opportunity to develop oral and written communication skills. Pre: Pharmacology I: 4074 (3 credits) or equivalent. Pre: 4074. (3H,3C)

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

4994H: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Honors section Variable credit course.

Undergraduate Courses (PHS)

1514: PERSONAL HEALTH
Fundamental health content and theory to provide students with constructive health information necessary to meet current and future personal health needs. Special emphasis on wellness and health promotion. (3H,3C)

3464 (AHRM 3464) (GEOG 3464) (HD 3464) (HUM 3464) (SOC 3464): APPALACHIAN COMMUNITIES
The concept of community in Appalachia using a multidisciplinary approach and experiential learning. Interrelationships among geographically, culturally, and socially constituted communities, public policy, and human development. 2000-level course in any cross-listing department required. (2H,3L,3C)

3534: DRUG EDUCATION
Interpretation of multidimensional (social, psychological and physiological) scientific data regarding drugs. The major drug categories will be covered with special emphasis on substance misuse and abuse. (3H,3C)