Curriculum

The list below is the core curriculum for students at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Every effort has been made to make the list accurate as of the date of publication. However, all policies, procedures, fees, and charges are subject to change at any time by appropriate action of the faculty, the university administration, or the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. See policy updates for the most current information.

Approved unanimously by CVM Curriculum Committee 7/27/2016

Iowa State University Catalog

Course Descriptions

Browse by year:

VM-1

Fall Semester Course Title Credits
BMS 330 Principles of Morphology I (anatomy) 6
BMS 333 Biomedical Sciences I (microscopic anatomy/physiology-cells) 6
BMS 335 Molecular & Cellular Basis of Disease 1
BMS 336 Veterinary Nutrition 2
BMS 339 Clinical Foundations I 1
BMS 345 Case Study I 1
VCS 311 Careers in Veterinary Medicine R
VCS 391 Clinical Imaging (Radiology) 1
Total Credits   18
Spring Semester Course Title Credits
BMS 331 Principles of Morphology II (anatomy) 4
BMS 334 Biomedical Sciences II (microscopic anatomy/physiology-systems) 6
BMS 337 Neuroanatomy 3
BMS 346 Case Study II (clinical correlations) 1
VMPM 380 Veterinary Immunology 2
VPth 342 Anatomic Pathology I 3
VDPAM 312 Introduction to Animal Welfare 1
Total Credits   20

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VM-2

Fall Semester Course Title Credits
VMPM 386 Veterinary Microbiology 5
VPth 372 Anatomic Pathology II 4
VPth 376 Veterinary Parasitology 4
VPth 377 Case Study III (clinical correlations) 2
VCS 313 Veterinary Medical Ethics 1
VCS 393 Principles of Surgery 3
Total Credits   19
Spring Semester Course Title Credits
BMS 354 General Pharmacology 3
VMPM 378 Case Study IV 2
VMPM 387 Veterinary Virology 3
VMPM 388 Public Health and the Role of the Veterinary Profession 3
VCS 394 Principles of Surgery Lab 1
VCS 395 Small Animal Surgery 2
VCS 398 Anesthesiology 2
VPth 425 Clinical Pathology 4
Total Credits   20

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VM-3

Fall Semester Course Title Credits
BMS 443 Pharmacology and Therapeutics 3
VCS 314 Communication and Leadership in Veterinary Medicine 1
VCS 436 Small Animal Internal Medicine 3
VCS 444 Small Animal Medicine 4
VCS 445 Equine Medicine 2
VCS 449 Surgery Laboratory 3
VDPAM 450 Disturbances of Reproduction 4
VCS 385 Grand Rounds Seminar R
Total Credits   20
Spring Semester Course Title Credits
VMPM 437 Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine 3
VPth 409 Intro to Vet Cytology and Lab Techniques 1
VDPAM 426 Veterinary Toxicology 3
VDPAM 445 Production Animal Clinical Medicine 3
VCS 399 Ophthalmology 1
VCS 440 Introduction to Clinics R
VCS 448 Diagnostic Imaging and Radiobiology 3
VCS 315 Veterinary Law 1
VCS 385 Grand Rounds Seminar R
Total Credits   15

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VM-4

The fourth year (summer, fall and spring semesters) is designed to be flexible and to provide for species emphasis. Students must complete 44 credits during their fourth year. They must take a required block and one option block. The required block rotations are multi-species oriented and exist in all types of clinical practice. Preceptorship credit can be earned at approved government agencies, research laboratories, veterinary practices, and other approved university hospitals.

In several cases, students are given the option of choosing between two courses to meet a requirement. For instance, the required block equine requirement can be met by taking VCS 457 (Equine Medicine), VCS 464 (Equine Field Services) or VCS 458 (Equine Surgery). In such cases, students are given the opportunity to provide their preference in the schedule optimizer. However, there are not always sufficient slots to meet all preferences, so some students will not receive their first choice, but will be assigned to the alternative course.

ISUCVM Fourth Year Curriculum; Approval Dates: ISUCVM Faculty, April 29, 2018; Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee, Revised by ISUCVM Curriculum Committee for implementation – 08-20-2018, Revised 8/06/18.

To be awarded the degree Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, candidates must have passed all required courses in the veterinary curriculum, earned a minimum veterinary grade point average of 2.0, and earned at least 4 elective credits during the VM1-3 years. Candidates must also have given a grand rounds presentation (VCS 495-Seminar).

Total Credits required during senior year: 44

Graduation Requirements: 160

 

See the following four options:

Small Animal Option

**Small animal option students, VCS 455 and 456 each must be taken at least once.  One of the courses satisfies the overall required block requirement, the other satisfies the small animal option requirement.

Required Block: (Total 20 Credits required of all students)

Course Title Credits
VCS 453 Small Animal Medicine 2
VCS 455 or VCS 456 Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery or Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery (as assigned by the schedule optimizer) 2
VCS 457/VCS 464/VCS 458 Equine Medicine (457)/Equine Field Service (464)/Equine Surgery (458)
(must have one equine course as assigned by the schedule optimizer)
2
VCS 460 Radiology 2
VCS 463 Primary Care 2
VCS 466 Veterinary Anesthesiology 2
VCS 468 Intensive Care 4
VDPAM 477 Food Animal and Camelid Medicine and Surgery 2
VPTH 456 and 457 Necropsy and Clinical Pathology (Taken together as one 2-week block) 2
VCS 495 Grand Rounds Presentations (non-credit) R
Total Credits   20

Required courses for Small Animal Option ONLY= 6 credits:

Course Title Credits
VCS 453 Small Animal Medicine 2
VCS 455 or VCS 456** Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery or Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery (opposite of one as assigned by the schedule optimizer) 2
VCS 469 Ophthalmology 2

 

Selective Choices (Total = 0 credits required):

There are no selectives required for this track.

 

Electives (Total = 18 credits required):

Electives strongly recommended by the VCS Curriculum Committee for students planning on entering small animal or mixed animal practice include:

Course Title Credits
VCS 409 Oncology 2
VCS 441 Canine Rehabilitation 2
VCS 446 Clinical Neurology 2
VCS 452 Clinical Dermatology 2
VCS 475 Cardiology Rotation 2
VCS 482 Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery (not currently offered) 2

Additional electives may include external experiences for credit including: shelter medicine, zoo/exotics (VCS 459, VCS 437, and VCS 423); preceptorships at private, corporate, ISU-affiliated, or public practices/institutions that fulfill the requirements for VCS 419 (Preceptorships in small animal or equine) for a maximum of 6 credits; and/or any other course offered by the College. Preceptorships, defined as learning experiences or time spent at a veterinary practice away from the College, must follow course guidelines to qualify for credit.

Students may repeat any course offered in the general core, required small animal track, or electives one additional time (above that required) for credit, depending upon availability and with permission of the instructor-of-record for that clinical rotation unless otherwise noted in the ISU Catalog. 

Unscheduled Time Off (Total = 4 blocks [8 weeks]): This time will fall randomly throughout the schedule to allow time for interviews, unapproved preceptorships, additional rotations and/or personal time.

Small Animal Option credit summary:

Required = 20, Option required = 6, Selectives = 0, Electives = 18

Total = 44

 

Equine Option

Required Block: (Total 20 Credits required of all students)

Course Title Credits
VCS 453 Small Animal Medicine I and II 2
VCS 455 or VCS 456 Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery or Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery (as assigned by the schedule optimizer) 2
VCS 457/VCS 464/VCS 458 Equine Medicine (457)/Equine Field Service (464)/Equine Surgery (458)
(must have one equine course as assigned by the schedule optimizer)
2
VCS 460 Radiology 2
VCS 463 Primary Care 2
VCS 466 Veterinary Anesthesiology 2
VCS 468 Intensive Care 4
VDPAM 477 Food Animal and Camelid Medicine and Surgery 2
VPTH 456 and 457 Necropsy and Clinical Pathology (Taken together as one 2-week block) 2
VCS 495 Grand Rounds Presentations (non-credit) R
Total Credits   20

Required courses for Equine Option = 6 credits:

Course Title Credits required for equine option (total credits: 6**) Credits
VCS 457 Equine Medicine 2 (unless taken to satisfy core requirement above)** 2
VCS 458 Equine Surgery 2 (unless taken to satisfy core requirement above)** 2
VCS 464 Equine Field Services 2 (unless taken to satisfy core requirement above)** 2
VDPAM 471E Equine Reproduction   2

**NOTE: For Equine Option students, the following rotations must all be taken at least once: Equine Medicine (VCS 457), Equine Surgery (VCS 458), and Equine Field Services (VCS 464).  One of these rotations fulfills the core equine requirement, the other 2 rotations fulfill requirements of the Equine Option.

Selective choices (Total = 12 credits required):

Selectives can usually be taken more than once. Choose from the list below.

Course Title Credits
VCS 447 Equine Veterinary Diagnostic Skills 2
VCS 452 Clinical Dermatology (repeatable by permission) 2
VCS 457 Equine Medicine 2
VCS 458 Equine Surgery 2
VCS 464 Equine Field Services 2
VCS 465 Farrier 2
VCS 469 Ophthalmology 2
VDPAM 471C Comparative Reproduction 2
VDPAM 471E Equine Reproduction 2
V C S 476E Equine Anesthesia 2
VCS 481 Equine Dentistry 2

Electives: 6 credits required

Electives may include external experiences for credit (i.e., preceptorships) that fulfill the requirements for VCS 419, VCS 423, or VCS 437 (Preceptorships in small animal, equine. shelter or zoo and exotics), VDPAM preceptorships (VDPAM 420, 424, 479, 482, or 485) or any rotations offered in the 4th year. Preceptorships must follow guidelines to qualify for credit.

Unscheduled Time Off (Total = 4 blocks [8 weeks]): This time will fall randomly throughout the schedule to allow time for interviews, unapproved preceptorships, additional rotations and/or personal time.

Equine Option credit summary:

Required = 20, Option required = 6, Selectives = 12, Electives = 6

Total = 44

 

Mixed Animal Option

Required Block: (Total 20 Credits required of all students)

Course Title Credits
VCS 453 Small Animal Medicine I and II 2
VCS 455 or VCS 456 Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery or Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery (as assigned by the schedule optimizer) 2
VCS 457/VCS 464/VCS 458 Equine Medicine (457)/Equine Field Service (464)/Equine Surgery (458)
(must have one equine course as assigned by the schedule optimizer)
2
VCS 460 Radiology 2
VCS 463 Primary Care 2
VCS 466 Anesthesiology 2
VCS 468 Intensive Care 4
VDPAM 477 Food Animal and Camelid Medicine and Surgery 2
VPTH 456 and 457 Necropsy and Clinical Pathology (Taken together as one 2-week block) 2
VCS 495 Grand Rounds Presentations (non-credit) R
Total Credits   20

Required courses for Mixed Animal Option = 4 credits:

Course Title Credits
VCS 452 Clinical Dermatology 2
VCS 469 Ophthalmology 2

Selectives: Group A (Total = 6 credits required):

Selectives can usually be taken more than once. Choose any courses listed as selectives from the Food Animal or Equine Option.

Selectives: Group B (Total = 2 credits required):

Selectives can usually be taken more than once.  Choose from the highly recommended list below and/or any courses listed for the small animal option.

Course Title Credits
VCS 409 Oncology 2
VCS 452 Clinical Dermatology (repeatable by permission) 2
VCS 453 Small Animal Medicine 2
VCS 455 Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery 2
VCS 456 Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery 2
VCS 459A-F Small Animal (Over) Population Medicine and Surgery 2
VCS 463 Primary Care 2
VCS 469 Ophthalmology 2
VCS 476 Veterinary Anesthesiology 2
VDPAM 471E Equine Reproduction 2
VMPM 486 Laboratory in Public Health 2

Electives: 12 credits required

Electives may include external experiences for credit (i.e., preceptorships) that fulfill the requirements for VCS 419 (Preceptorships in small animal, equine or zoo and exotics), VCS 423, 459 or 437, VDPAM preceptorships (VDPAM 420, 424, 479, 482, or 485) or any rotations offered in the 4th year. Preceptorships must follow guidelines to qualify for credit.

Unscheduled Time Off (Total = 4 blocks [8 weeks]): This time will fall randomly throughout the schedule to allow time for interviews, unapproved preceptorships, additional rotations and/or personal time.

Mixed Animal Option credit summary:

Required = 20, Option required = 4, Selectives Group A = 6, Selectives Group B = 2, Electives = 12
Total = 44

 

Food Animal Option

Required Block: (Total 20 Credits required of all students)

Course Title Credits
VCS 453 Small Animal Medicine I and II 2
VCS 455 or VCS 456 Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery or Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery (as assigned by the schedule optimizer) 2
VCS 457/VCS 464/VCS 458 Equine Medicine (457)/Equine Field Service (464)/Equine Surgery (458)(must have one equine course as assigned by the schedule optimizer) 2
VCS 460 Radiology 2
VCS 463 Primary Care 2
VCS 466 Veterinary Anesthesiology 2
VCS 468 Intensive Care 4
VDPAM 477 Food Animal and Camelid Medicine and Surgery 2
VPTH 456 and 457 Necropsy and Clinical Pathology (Taken together as one 2-week block) 2
VCS 495 Grand Rounds Presentations (non-credit) R
Total Credits   20

Required courses for Food Animal Option = 4 credits:

Course Title Credits
VDPAM 488/VDPAM 455 Clinical Microbiology Lab and Diagnostic Lab (Taken together as one 2-week block) (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 476 Food Animal and Camelid Field Services (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2

 

Selectives (Total = 10 credits required):

Selectives can usually be taken more than once, but do not dually count. Choose from list below.

Course Title Credits
VDPAM 420 Preceptorship in Veterinary Medical Practice 1-6
VDPAM 420A Mixed Animal Practice w Food Animal Emphasis Preceptorship 1-6
VDPAM 420B General Mixed Animal Practice Preceptorship 1-6
VDPAM 420C Government Preceptorships 1-6
VDPAM 420P Poultry Preceptorships 1-6
VDPAM 421A-T Great Plains Vet Education Center (see dept. complete listing) 1
VDPAM 422 Beef Cattle Calving (prereq. VDPAM 310) (NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED) 1-2
VDPAM 424 Diagnostic Pathology preceptorship 2
VDPAM 451 Clinical Embryo Transfer 2
VDPAM 455 Diagnostic Lab Practicum (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 463 Iowa Feedlot (requires 421D) 2
VDPAM 465 Animal Welfare 2
VDPAM 466 Animal Welfare Preceptorship 1-6
VDPAM 471C, E, F Theriogenology: Comparative, Equine, Food Animal 2
VDPAM 476 Food Animal and Camelid Field Service (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 477 Food Animal and Camelid Medicine and Surgery 2
VDPAM 478A Swine Production Management and Consulting (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 478B Swine Clinical Pharmacology and Treatment Management (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 478C Swine Emerging Diseases Diagnosis and Management (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 479 Applied Swine Production Medicine Preceptorship (prereq. VDPAM 310) 1-6
VDPAM 480 Advanced Swine (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 481 Advanced Cow/Calf (prereq. 2 sem. of VDPAM 436) 2
VDPAM 482 Applied Beef Production Medicine Preceptorship (prereq. VDPAM 310) 1-6
VDPAM 483 Beef Production Medicine (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 484 Dairy Production Medicine (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 485 Applied Dairy Production Medicine Preceptorship (prereq. VDPAM 484) 1-6
VDPAM 488 and 455 Clinical Microbiology Lab (488 1 cr.) and Diagnostic Lab Program (455 1 cr.) (Taken together as one 2-week block)  2
VDPAM 494 Advanced Dairy Production Medicine (prereq. VDPAM 310) 2
VDPAM 495 Advanced Small Ruminant Production Medicine (prereq. VDPAM 486) 2
VPTH 456 and 457 Necropsy (456) and Clinical Pathology (457) (Taken together as one 2-week block) 2
VDPAM 498 Poultry Medicine 2

 

Electives: 10 credits required

Electives may include external experiences for credit (i.e., preceptorships) that fulfill the requirements for VCS 419 (Preceptorships in small animal, equine or zoo and exotics), VCS 423, 459 or 437, VDPAM preceptorships (VDPAM 420, 424, 466, 479, 482, or 485) or any rotations offered in the 4th year. Preceptorships must follow guidelines to qualify for credit.

Unscheduled Time Off (Total = 4 blocks [8 weeks]): This time will fall randomly throughout the schedule to allow time for interviews, unapproved preceptorships, additional rotations and/or personal time.


Food Animal Option credit summary:

Required = 20, Option required = 4, Selectives = 10, Electives = 10

Total = 44

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