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

degree and 13 have an M.S.. The nature of specialty training in the clinical veterinary medicineis different in many respects from the training required in other LSU departments. The insightsgained by specialty training combined with an M.S. in the clinical sciences provides anadditional unique perspective to clinical research. This situation is analagous to that in the fieldof human medicine where the doctorate degree is not a necessity for effective research training.Many VCS faculty with M.S. as the terminal degree are well qualified to serve as majorprofessors in the VCS option of the Interdepartmental program.B. Calculated Student/Faculty Ratios.Clinical faculty currently teach 345-350 professional and graduate students per year.This would be expected to increase to 350-355 students per year based on interest inpursuing a PhD degree in the VCS concentration. There are currently 42 facultyemployed in VCS for an anticipated student/faculty ratio of 8.5:1.C. Faculty Additions.The proposed program will be absorbed in whole by present faculty. New faculty willnot be added to accommodate the PhD concentration in VCS. Faculty currently involvedin graduate studies in other options within Veterinary Medical Sciences will redirect theirenergies to the VCS option. VCS faculty currently involved in research will recruitstudents into the PhD program. This will not alter existing instructional responsibilitiesbecause these individuals are already teaching PhD candidates who happen to be in otherdepartments but who would transfer into the VCS concentration. Furthermore, over thelast 5 years, recruitment of faculty to replace attrition has resulted in an increase in theproportion of VCS faculty with research and graduate studies experience.GRADUATE STUDIES IN VETERINARY CLINICAL SCIENCESOBJECTIVESThe School of Veterinary Medicine offers the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in VeterinaryMedical Sciences. Under this umbrella, the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences offers aVeterinary Clinical Science option at both degree levels. Opportunities are available for studentsholding the D.V.M. or equivalent degree. Advanced training in Veterinary Clinical Sciences atthe Ph.D. level is designed to prepare students for advanced placement in academia, in industryand in the private sector.Clinical faculty members have abilities and interests in many facets of veterinary clinical scienceas these relate to all domestic and exotic species. Departmental facilities, faculty training andcollaboration with other departments in the School of Veterinary Medicine allow study planswith topics in most aspects of veterinary clinical science. There is also a working relationshipwith faculty in the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the Louisiana AgriculturalExperiment Station. Departmental instructional responsibilities provide opportunities forresidency/graduate students to acquire teaching experience. Close alliance of VCS with other9