Students

First Year Curriculum

FALL QUARTER CORE COURSES
Title Type Units Description
VMD400A Core 2.5 total Freshman Doctoring
An introduction to both the science and art of the practice of veterinary medicine utilizing evidence-based information, research, and practical experience of course leaders. This is an introduction to the process of life-long learning as a medical professional through the exploration of concepts including communication, team-building, leadership, conflict management, stress management, critical thinking, and professionalism. The course is designed to provide a foundation of skills which are gradually built upon during the course of the veterinary educational program.
VMD401A Core 3.4 The Normal Anatomy of the Canine Locomotor System
Normal canine anatomy of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and vessels of the vertebral column and limbs; musculoskeletal physiology and biomechanics.
VMD402A Core 0.7 Cardiovascular Anatomy
Cardiovascular anatomy.
VMD403 Core 5.1 Physiological Chemistry
Biochemical principles used to analyze problems and to evaluate metabolic relationships important in animal health and pathophysiology. Integrative approach, emphasizing controls of major metabolic pathways, molecular basis of gene expression, tumorigenesis and signal transduction.
VMD406 Core 0.7 Principles of Behavior
Overview of animal behavior with relevance to veterinary medicine.
VMD409 Core 1.7 Epidemiology
Introduction to epidemiologic effect measures, casual inference, experimental and non-experimental study design, and clinical epidemiology, with applications in veterinary medicine.
VMD415A Core 1.1 total Freshman Clinical Skills
Development of clinical skills by learning procedures that are important to the practice of veterinary medicine in a variety of species in both a laboratory and clinical environment.
VMD427 Core 3.3 Cell and Tissue Structure and Function
Relationship between structure and function of animal tissues emphasizing the molecular and cellular processes which integrate normal physiological activity. Mechanisms of cell division, differentiation and locomotion. Microscopic anatomy and organization of cells and extracellular molecules to form specialized differentiated tissues.
VMD430 Core 3.6 total Principles of Radiography and Radiologic Interpretation
Physical principles of x-ray production and x-ray matter interactions as they pertain to diagnostic medical imaging and radiation safety. Principles of radiologic interpretation. Principles of ultrasound physics and interpretation.
VMD436 Core 1.2 total Veterinary Ethics and Law
Ethical and legal issues critical to successful and ethical veterinary practice. Processes through which ethical and legal questions are approached and resolved. Background reading materials and discussions are supplemented with problem-based learning.
FALL QUARTER OTHER COURSES
Title Type Units Description
APC290 Elective 1.0 VSTP/VETS Issues in Modern Biology
VME432 Elective 1.0 Medical & Husbandry Procedures for Raptors
Serves as student treatment crew for the Raptor Center providing hands-on experience with handling, restraint and treatment for ill and injured birds of prey with the goal of rehabilitation and release back into their native habitat.
VME481 Elective 1.0 Clinic Rounds
Discussion of selected small and large animal cases from the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
VSR401 Elective 1.0 Small Animal Radiology Case Discussions
The role of diagnostic radiology in the clinical setting and student interpretation of radiographs.
VSR402 Elective 1.0 Large Animal Radiology Case Discussions
The role of diagnostic radiology in the clinical setting and student interpretation of radiographs.
WINTER QUARTER CORE COURSES
Title Type Units Description
VMD400A Core 2.5 total Freshman Doctoring
An introduction to both the science and art of the practice of veterinary medicine utilizing evidence-based information, research, and practical experience of course leaders. This is an introduction to the process of life-long learning as a medical professional through the exploration of concepts including communication, team-building, leadership, conflict management, stress management, critical thinking, and professionalism. The course is designed to provide a foundation of skills which are gradually built upon during the course of the veterinary educational program.
VMD401B Core 1.7 The Normal Anatomy of the Canine Head
Normal canine anatomy with comparison to other species of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and vessels of the head including the eye and ear.
VMD402B Core 1.7 Cardiovascular Physiology
Integrated view of cardiovascular physiology.
VMD402C Core 2.0 Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology
Integrated view of respiratory anatomy and physiology.
VMD408 Core 2.9 Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases in Animals
Principles of nutrition and their application to the solution of nutritional disorders of animals.
VMD415A Core 1.1 total Freshman Clinical Skills
Development of clinical skills by learning procedures that are important to the practice of veterinary medicine in a variety of species in both a laboratory and clinical environment.
VMD421 Core 2.7 Principles of Neurosciences
An integrated study of normal neurobiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, to enable students to engage in studies of neurologic disorders and clinical neurology.
VMD430 Core 3.6 total Principles of Radiography and Radiologic Interpretation
Physical principles of x-ray production and x-ray matter interactions as they pertain to diagnostic medical imaging and radiation safety. Principles of radiologic interpretation. Principles of ultrasound physics and interpretation.
VMD432 Core 2.9 Normal Gastrointestinal System
Basic understanding and correlation of the structure and function of the gastrointestinal system. Multiple species' differences examined.
VMD436 Core 1.2 total Veterinary Ethics and Law
Ethical and legal issues critical to successful and ethical veterinary practice. Processes through which ethical and legal questions are approached and resolved. Background reading materials and discussions are supplemented with problem-based learning.
WINTER QUARTER OTHER COURSES
Title Type Units Description
PHR406 Elective 1.0 Human-Animal Interactions in Veterinary Science
Human relationships with companion animals, and, secondarily, on food, laboratory, and wild animals from the perspectives of veterinarians and their clients' needs.
PHR408 Elective 1.0 Behavior and Biology of Mice As Domestic Animals
Laboratory mouse biology and welfare, including the development and purposes of specialized strains of mice, constraints for their care and environmental enrichment, legislation and regulation, and the human benefits of their use.
PMI418 Elective 2.0 Health and Disease in Terrestrial Wildlife
Ecology and epidemiology of disease in free-ranging terrestrial wildlife.
VME290C Elective 1.0 Research Group Conference
Current research topics relevant to veterinary clinical pharmacology.
VME401 Elective 1.0 Introduction to One Health
Introduce an integrated approach to understanding one health with emphasis on relationships and interdependence of environmental, animal and human health.
VME432 Elective 1.0 Medical & Husbandry Procedures for Raptors
Serves as student treatment crew for the Raptor Center providing hands-on experience with handling, restraint and treatment for ill and injured birds of prey with the goal of rehabilitation and release back into their native habitat.
VME481 Elective 1.0 Clinic Rounds
Discussion of selected small and large animal cases from the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
VME487 Elective 2.0 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Non-domestic Animals
Comparative anatomy and physiology of non-domestic species, including captive and free-ranging wildlife, exotic pets, laboratory animals, and species in apiculture, aquaculture, and viculture. Basis for understanding husbandry, diseases, and other veterinary concerns of multiple taxa.
VSR401 Elective 1.0 Small Animal Radiology Case Discussions
The role of diagnostic radiology in the clinical setting and student interpretation of radiographs.
VSR402 Elective 1.0 Large Animal Radiology Case Discussions
The role of diagnostic radiology in the clinical setting and student interpretation of radiographs.
SPRING QUARTER CORE COURSES
Title Type Units Description
VMD400A Core 2.5 total Freshman Doctoring
An introduction to both the science and art of the practice of veterinary medicine utilizing evidence-based information, research, and practical experience of course leaders. This is an introduction to the process of life-long learning as a medical professional through the exploration of concepts including communication, team-building, leadership, conflict management, stress management, critical thinking, and professionalism. The course is designed to provide a foundation of skills which are gradually built upon during the course of the veterinary educational program.
VMD402D Core 2.3 Structure and Function of the Urinary System and Body Fluids
Basic understanding of the structure and function of the urinary system plus physiology of body fluids and acid-base balance. Structure and function are correlated.
VMD405 Core 3.6 Veterinary Parasitology
Biological and clinical aspects of parasites and the diseases they cause in animals.
VMD415A Core 1.1 total Freshman Clinical Skills
Development of clinical skills by learning procedures that are important to the practice of veterinary medicine in a variety of species in both a laboratory and clinical environment.
VMD420 Core 3.0 Immunology
Concepts of immunology. Emphasis is on the principles of vaccinations, responses to pathogenic agents, and development of hypersensitivity and autoimmune reactions.
VMD425 Core 1.8 Veterinary Genetics
Introduction to genetics as it applies to the practice of veterinary medicine.
VMD430 Core 3.6 total Principles of Radiography and Radiologic Interpretation
Physical principles of x-ray production and x-ray matter interactions as they pertain to diagnostic medical imaging and radiation safety. Principles of radiologic interpretation. Principles of ultrasound physics and interpretation.
VMD431 Core 1.8 Endocrinology
The structure and function of endocrine glands and how hormones and cytokines influence physiological processes.
VMD434 Core 1.5 Introduction to Veterinary Hematology
The regulation of production of blood cells, the morphology of bone marrow and hematopoietic cells, the morphology and function of blood cells and the activities of hemostasis.
SPRING QUARTER OTHER COURSES
Title Type Units Description
PHR457 Elective 2.0 Veterinary Practice Management
Information essential to the successful management of a veterinary practice. Topics include basic accounting, medical record keeping, money management, business and personal insurance, client relations and tax law.
PMI419 Elective 2.0 Field Techniques for Assessment of Wildlife and Ecosystem Health
Introduction to the concepts and technical skills necessary to conduct field studies pertaining to wildlife/ecosystem health. Different opportunities will be offered in alternate years--even years offered in Southern California, odd years in either Northern California or outside the state.
VME410 Elective 2.0 Husbandry, Feeding and Management of Captive Animals
Introduction of management and husbandry dynamics as a prerequisite for preventive health programs in zoos, aquaria, vivaria, and other environments for exotic pets and wild animals.
VME416 Elective 2.1 Diseases of Fish
Etiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of fish. Preventive management of diseases in aquaculture and aquaria.
VME424 Elective 1.0 Shelter Medicine
Shelter medicine is a newly emerging specialty in veterinary medicine building on the clever solutions and experience of hundreds of shelter veterinarian, managers, technicians, rescue and foster homes, and others, who have learned their skill in the trenches.
VME432 Elective 1.0 Medical & Husbandry Procedures for Raptors
Serves as student treatment crew for the Raptor Center providing hands-on experience with handling, restraint and treatment for ill and injured birds of prey with the goal of rehabilitation and release back into their native habitat.
VME486 Elective 1.0 Equine Clinical Neonatology
Discussion of methods of equine neonatal intensive care and disease pathophysiology in a case format.
VSR401 Elective 1.0 Small Animal Radiology Case Discussions
The role of diagnostic radiology in the clinical setting and student interpretation of radiographs.
VSR402 Elective 1.0 Large Animal Radiology Case Discussions
The role of diagnostic radiology in the clinical setting and student interpretation of radiographs.