2013/2014 Course Catalog - University of Missouri - College of ...

PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM LEADINg to DVMplants, agricultural and industrialchemicals, feed additives and drugs.The primary function of theVeterinary Pathobiology section isto teach morphologic and biochemicalalterations, which form the basis forchanges in tissues and fluids of diseasedanimals. The teaching is conductedthrough both didactic and appliedcourses. Second-year veterinary medicalstudents also study general, systemicand special pathology, veterinary clinicalpathology, and laboratory animal medicine.The extensive and varied caseloadsin clinical pathology and VeterinaryMedical Diagnostic Laboratory programsare used as teaching resources during thethird and fourth years of the curriculum.Courses offered in microbiologyprovide instruction on special propertiesof pathogenic microorganisms, the hostresponse to invading microorganisms,and techniques for isolating andidentifying microorganisms. Specialemphasis is placed on the transmission,prevention and control of infectiousand parasitic diseases, veterinarycommunity health, epidemiology andimmunology. Lectures, laboratoryexercises, demonstrations, specialprojects and computer-assisted, as wellas problem-based programs, are offered.Faculty from the Department ofVeterinary Medicine and Surgeryprovide training in all four years of theprofessional curriculum. During thefirst year of basic science instruction,clinicians help to show the relevanceand application of basic science principlesto clinical medicine and surgery.They also provide the didactic instructionfor clinical subjects in the secondand third years of the curriculum.Students enter their clinical trainingearly in their third year of professionaleducation. This stage of training allowsthem to apply principles of medicineand surgery to diagnose, prevent andtreat disease in animals. They alsopractice effective communicationwith clients and with health care teammembers as animals are treated at theVeterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.Clinical rotations involve in-hospitaland out-of-hospital training. Throughthe patient-care method of study,professional students are given considerableresponsibility for the totalhealth needs of animals assigned totheir care. Discussion periods, formallectures, rounds and laboratory trainingguide the student’s progress in clinicalmedicine and surgery. In addition tothe required clinical rotations involvingcare for a spectrum of domestic species,a number of elective experiencesare also part of the clinical curriculum.PreceptorshipsStudents are encouraged to use their freetime to gain additional experience in veterinarypractices or to explore the manyother employment opportunities availableto veterinarians. Veterinary licensingboards in some states (includingMissouri) require applicants for licensureto complete an internship under thesupervision of a licensed veterinarian.It is important that students contact thelicensing board in the state in whichthey wish to practice to determine therequirements for licensure in that state.State LicensureIn addition to successfully completing aprofessional veterinary education, moststates require state and national licensingexaminations to meet requirements topractice. Students interested in veterinarymedicine should visit the NationalBoard of Veterinary Medical Examiners(NBVME; www.nbvme.org) and theAmerican Association of VeterinaryState Boards (AAVSB; www.aavsb.org) websites for further informationregarding the requirements for licensure.MU is the onlyMissouri institutionthat awards the doctorof veterinary medicinedegree, graduatingapproximately 110 newveterinarians each year.2013-2014 CVM COLLEGE CATALOG 21