INFORMATION FOR UNDERGRADUATE PATHOBIOLOGY STUDENTS

INFORMATION FOR UNDERGRADUATE PATHOBIOLOGY STUDENTS

Welcome to the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut!

Our department has three major functions: Teaching (undergraduate and graduate), Research, and Service.

The department faculty have DVM and Ph.D. degrees (many with dual degrees) who have research interests in animal and human diseases. The department houses the Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, consisting of Diagnostic Pathology (animal necropsy (autopsy) and biopsy), and the Diagnostic Testing Services Laboratory, which provides laboratory testing of animal samples for various diseases. Most faculty members have active research programs and teach undergraduate or graduate courses; some also do diagnostic and extension work.

Pathobiology majors acquire strong training in biomedical sciences, and have many career options. Many are pre-veterinary or premedical students. Others pursue postgraduate work in the biomedical sciences. Others become technicians in research or commercial laboratories after graduation. Coursework options can be tailored to better prepare you for your career goals, if you know what these are; discuss this with you academic advisor.

Minors are available in Aquaculture and Food Science (Food Safety). The department also has a dual degree program in Cytotechnology with the School of Allied Health.

All Pathobiology undergraduates need to fulfill certain "key" requirements in order to graduate. These include:

1. University General Education Requirements (see University General Catalog, usually listed in an appendix in the back). These requirements state that you need to take courses in varied disciplines (listed as groups 1-8) in order to assure that you receive a well-rounded education. There are also "skill" course requirements incorporated here (designated as "W" (writing), "Q" (quantitative), "C" (computer) courses, etc.). There is a handy list of courses that fulfill these skill requirements in the Directory of Classes brochure that comes out each semester.

2. College of Agriculture and Natural Resources requirements:

The CANR requires that students take 36 credits of 200 level (or above) coursework (with at least a 2.1 grade point average); 15 of these 200 level credits must be in the College of Agriculture (all of your Pathobiology courses count here).

3. Pathobiology major requirements:

All students must pass:

Pathobiology 297 (Principles of Pathobiology) – Spring Semester plus 3 of the following: Pathobiology 200 (Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals) – Fall Semester

Pathobiology 202 (Health and Disease Management of Animals) – Spring Semester

Pathobiology 235 (Clinical Chemistry) – Spring Semester Odd Years

Pathobiology 248 (Principles of Animal Virology) – Fall Semester

Pathobiology 252 (Pathobiology of the Avian Species) – Fall Semester Odd Years

Pathobiology 256 (Systemic Pathology and Microbiology of Finfish and Shellfish) – Spring Semester Even Years

Pathobiology 296 (Histologic Structure and Function) – Fall Semester

plus 1 of the following courses in each of these areas: Biochemistry (MCB 203 or 204)

Microbiology (MCB 229)

Genetics (MCB 200, MCB 213 or ANSC 217)

plus 1 of the following courses: Nutrition: Animal Science Nutritional Sciences 165 (Fundamentals of Nutrition) or 216 (Principles of Nutrition & Feeding of Animals)

Immunology: MCB 211 (Basic Immunology) or Allied Health: MLS 208W (Immunology for the Medical Laboratory Sciences)

Cell Biology: MCB 210

4. Pre-veterinary students must also fulfill veterinary school requirements.

These vary somewhat according to the individual veterinary schools. Our brochure "Suggested Pathobiology Curriculum" lists the required courses. More specific information regarding veterinary school requirements is available in a general guide called "Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements" (Purdue University Press), available at the UCONN CO-OP or at your advisor's office. Xerox access is available from our department office staff.

ADVISORY NOTE:

All students should meet with their advisor at least once each semester to discuss pre-registration plans and to gain approval to remove the bar block for touch-tone telephone registration. We recommend students meet with advisors at least twice during the semester to discuss progress toward their degree, areas of interest in jobs or further educational opportunities, independent study possibilities or areas of concern.

It really helps to outline your potential schedule (particularly required courses) several years in advance. While this may seem tedious, if you make a "master plan" of when you will take required courses, electives, etc., at the onset, you'll be able to fit things in more easily, and balance your workload. This usually results in better performance. Keep in mind that some courses are only offered in alternate years, or only one semester per year, and many require prerequisite courses. If you use the "Suggested Pathobiology Curriculum" as a guide, planning will be easier.

Many courses fulfill more than one requirement. For example, if you take Path 248W (Virology), it will count as a Path (major) course, a CANR 200 level course, and a W (writing) course. If you take Stat 100V it fulfills requirements for both a Q and a C course. If you choose classes that fulfill more than one requirement, you'll have more opportunity to take electives that interest you.

All CANR students are required to complete a "plan of study" form at the beginning of their final semester. The version of this form needed will depend on when you first matriculated in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This form is necessary for graduation; it lists which courses you have taken to fulfill the various requirements. Plan of Study forms are available from the Office of Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. (WBY 211).

PACE reports are computer summaries of your coursework and remaining requirements for graduation; they are sent to you twice a year. They will point out any deficiencies, which you may then discuss with your advisor.