10/1/02 letter of intent doctor of philosophy degree option the ...

Interdepartmental Program. While many of the past Ph.D. students affiliated with VCSwere well served by participating in course work and research projects in otherdepartments of the School of Veterinary Medicine, these other Veterinary MedicalSciences (VMS) concentrations are not as well positioned with faculty expertise toprovide training in clinical research.2) To meet the demand for candidates who wish to undertake Ph.D. studies in VeterinaryClinical Sciences. (Appendix 2)3) To provide greater opportunity for emphasis on clinical research for studentsundertaking graduate study in other Veterinary Medical Sciences concentrations andother LSU graduate programs.4) To enhance the academic tenor of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.5) Provides VCS faculty the opportunity to mentor Ph.D. students with more autonomyand flexibility.Final Note: We have aggressively attempted to establish very high visibility for our departmentby participation in major national and international scientific and professional meetings andorganizations. We have continued to recruit new, highly skilled young faculty, most of whomtrained in combined residency/graduate programs. We are emerging as a real force in theclinical sciences with a reputation for an energetic and focused program. Our Apresence@ as aquality program is becoming established (Appendix 4). The recognition of an area ofconcentration in VCS under the Veterinary Medical Sciences umbrella graduate program at thePh.D. level represents a further step in this development.Proposed DegreeDoctor of Philosophy in the Veterinary Clinical Sciences option of the InterdepartmentalProgram in Veterinary Medical Sciences.3