Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Science Program in Comparative Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences

The Master of Science program in Comparative Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences (CBVS) at the Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine is designed to train students in coursework and research areas applicable to One Health, providing them with expertise in a broad area of disciplines. The program leverages the wide variety of courses established in the School of Natural and Life Sciences and the College of Health Professions and Nursing, as well as basic science courses offered in the first two years of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine professional program.

Program Overview

The CBVS program has two major focus areas for the M.S. degree: Infectious Diseases and Comparative Medicine and Therapeutics. The focus area of Infectious Diseases includes training in bacteriology, virology, parasitology, immunology, and vaccine development. The Comparative Medicine and Therapeutics focus area includes research in Cancer Biology, Chemo- and Precision-Therapeutics, Molecular Immuno-Physiology, Pathology, Molecular Pathophysiology, and Regenerative Medicine.

Career Opportunities

The M.S. program in CBVS is designed to prepare graduates for continued graduate studies in a Ph.D. program, careers in academia or industry, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, or in various government agencies.

Employment Skills

Employment skills gained through this program include:

• Carrying out research experiments and quality control
• Reviewing and analyzing research data
• Grant preparation
• Review of manuscripts and other scientific documents
• Oral presentation of research results

Program Structure

The program is designed to be completed in two years with 36 credit hours, minimum. Required courses for all students include graduate-level biochemistry, immunology, biostatistics, three semesters of the graduate seminar (CBVS 505), and one elective or special topics course (CBVS 501) as recommended by the student's committee. The remaining credit hours are in experimental research (CBVS 708).

Program Schedule

The program schedule is as follows:

• Term Fall 1:
  • CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar (1 credit)
  • Biochemistry (3 credits)
  • CBVS 708 Experimental Research (2 credits) Total: 6 credits
• Term Spring 1:
  • CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar (1 credit)
  • Immunology (3 credits)
  • CBVS 708 Experimental Research (2 credits) Total: 6 credits
• Term Summer 1:
  • CBVS 708 Experimental Research (6 credits) Total: 6 credits
• Term Fall 2:
  • CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar (1 credit)
  • Biostatistics (3 credits)
  • CBVS 708 Experimental Research (2 credits) Total: 6 credits
• Term Spring 2:
  • One research-related course as determined by Committee (3 credits)
  • CBVS 708 Experimental Research (3 credits) Total: 6 credits
• Term Summer 2:
  • CBVS 708 Experimental Research (6 credits) Total: 6 credits

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program requires a Baccalaureate or equivalent degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. International students must achieve a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 85 (internet-based, with a minimum listening score of 20) or 6.0 on the IELTS.

Tuition and Fees

• M.S. Tuition, per credit: $1,379
• Part-Time University Fee, per term: $509
• Full-Time University Fee, per term: $1,017
• Student Health Insurance: $2,465 (rates finalized by July 1 each year)

Funding

The College of Veterinary Medicine does not guarantee tuition waivers or stipends. However, funding from a faculty mentor may be available, but it is not guaranteed. Prospective students are advised to determine their area of research interest and contact potential faculty mentors to see if they are willing and able to support a graduate student in their research laboratory.