Overview

• 3 courses, 12 credit hours
• Focuses on the concepts taught in the first year of veterinary school

Who Should Take This Elective Track?

• Students considering going to veterinary school after completing the MVS degree program
• Professionals who are not veterinarians and want to gain more knowledge on anatomy, physiology, and animal health management
• Students on the path to veterinary school take animal health courses focusing on the concepts taught in the first year of veterinary school

Program Objectives

• Identify anatomical structures in different body systems and summarize similarities and differences between species
• Identify and explain normal physiological systems in domestic animal species
• Identify host defenses and summarize similarities and differences between body systems
• Identify and explain tissue tropism and disease patterns of different veterinary pathogens
• Predict the presence, nature, and extent of structural or functional problems in a range of body systems
• Predict which body systems will be targeted by pathogens, comparing primary and secondary pathological insults
• Develop professional attitudes, outlooks, and competencies

Learning Experience

Students who choose this elective track will be welcomed into a community of learners. Once a week, students will attend a live grand rounds session introducing a medical case. Dr. Brian Aldridge will lead grand rounds of discussions. Dr. Aldridge is an Associate Clinical Professor with an appointment in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Medicine and a program director for the Master of Veterinary Science and Foundations of Veterinary Science graduate certificate.

• Each student will be placed in a group to work through clinical case studies
• One instructor per 9 students
• Problem-Based Learning
• Guidance on resume and personal statements
• One-on-One Mentoring

Instructors will get to know their students and provide mentorship and career counseling to help each person apply the materials to the next step in their career. We also have a team of veterinary student mentors available.

Overview

• 3 courses, 10 credit hours
• Courses focus on biosecurity and infectious disease in population medicine

Program Objectives

• The three-course series is designed to develop a deep understanding of a systems-based approach to animal care and animal health using a problem-based approach to learning

Who Should Take This Elective Track?

• Professionals aiming to advance their careers take higher-level animal health and disease courses
• The Systems Health Management track intended for students who desire to advance their careers, learn new business practices, and develop their critical thinking skills
• Systems Health Management is designed for individuals that have or hope to have leadership roles in systems-based food production and are focused on applying systems-based management to health and production improvement

Learning Experience

Students will be asked to apply the concepts introduced through live sessions, pre-recorded lectures, and readings to case studies for a practice application of the materials. Students will be challenged to work through real-world problems.

Overview

We partnered with the Animal Science department in the College of Agriculture, Consumer Economics and Sciences to allow MVS students to take courses in the Companion Animal Nutrition graduate certificate. Students pursuing this elective track will only be able to count one course (ANSC 422) towards the MVS degree. Students choosing to earn the Companion Animal Nutrition graduate certificate as well as their MVS degree will complete a total of 38 credit hours.

Program Objectives

• The Companion Animal Nutrition Certificate program gives industry professionals, veterinarians, animal scientists, pet breeders, and pet enthusiasts the opportunity to take in-depth courses on various aspects of companion animal nutrition.

Who Should Take This Elective Track?

The Companion Animal Nutrition Certificate program gives students the opportunity to take in-depth courses on various aspects of companion animal nutrition. Course topics include canine and feline metabolism, nutrient functions and requirements, pet nutrition and disease, pet food ingredients, principles of diet formulation, pet food processing technologies, good manufacturing practices, pet food regulations, and market trends.

Learning Experience

The courses taught in this series are delivered through the Animal Science department within the College of Agricultural Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). To register for these courses, you will need permission from both departments. Please contact your advisor.

Overview

• 3 courses, 9 credit hours
• Courses focus on business strategy concepts taught in business schools, supply chain management and operations management
• Designed for people working in the animal health industry looking to advance their career

Program Objectives

• Identify and describe how modern livestock-based food systems are designed, why they are designed that way, and how those designs impact their ability to meet customer needs for safe and affordable food
• Ability to conduct and understand an external and internal analysis to form a business strategy

Who Should Take This Elective Track?

• Professionals in the livestock industry who want a better understanding of business decisions
• Professionals looking to advance their career to the next level of responsibility
• Practice owners who want to increase efficiency and position their business for superior gains
• Veterinarians who are returning to higher education
• Someone in the animal health industry that intends to make a career change
• Higher education researchers who desire to understand the business aspects of veterinary medicine
• Anyone in the field that requires a bit more customization to their learning experience

Learning Experience

Students will be asked to apply the concepts introduced through live sessions, pre-recorded lectures, and readings to case studies for a practice application of the materials. Students will be challenged to work through real-world problems. This elective track is challenging and rewarding!