DVM Curriculum Overview

The DVM curriculum is organized into a series of integrated blocks delivered through a student-centered approach. During the first two years, students develop a comparative foundation in normal and abnormal structure and function, primarily organized by body systems. In the third and fourth years, the curriculum shifts toward diagnosis and therapy, allowing students to pursue specific areas of interest.

The program is inquiry-based, designed to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Recognizing that students learn in diverse ways, the curriculum incorporates multiple instructional methods, including problem- and case-based learning, lectures, small-group discussions, and laboratory exercises. From the earliest weeks, students acquire essential skills in animal handling and restraint, physical examination across core species, and basic clinical techniques such as venipuncture and injection. Students, in the first two years, also spend days in the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital paired with fourth-year students, applying their growing knowledge and skills in a clinical setting.

DVM Learning Outcomes define the essential knowledge, skills, and professional attributes that all graduates are expected to demonstrate upon completion of the program, regardless of their chosen area of focus.

With input from faculty and external stakeholders, the School has developed and implemented veterinary competencies for the UC Davis entry-level graduate. The curriculum is outcome-based, supported by ongoing data collection and analysis to ensure responsiveness to advances in educational practice and the evolving needs of the veterinary profession.

In the Fall of 2024, the Faculty adopted the Competency-Based Veterinary Education 2.0 Framework and added "details" to customize the domains to the UCD SVM CBVE Framework.

Year One

Fall Term Courses
Title	Type	Units	Description
VET400 Professional and Clinical Skills -- Y1	Core	6.0 total	Outline expectations and skill set required to participate successfully in the DVM curriculum as well as providing learning opportunity in communication, team-building, leadership, conflict management, stress management, critical thinking, professional behaviors, history taking, physical examination skills and medical record keeping.
VET401 Basic Foundations	Core	12	Essential information regarding histology, cell biology, biochemistry, general pathology, immunology, genetics, population health, and imaging that is foundational to all blocks.
VET402 Heme/Lymph/Coag	Core	6	The lexicon, morphology, production, structure and function of peripheral blood cells, their bone marrow precursors and the lymphoid system, the process and regulation of hemostasis, and the laboratory evaluation of all of these in health and disease.
VET406 Pharmacology/Nutrition/Toxicology	Core	6	Basic principles of nutrition and toxicology as well as pathophysiologic changes, diagnostic procedures and treatments of nutritional diseases and intoxications of domestic animals and wildlife. Incorporate case examples and directed self-learning to reinforce important concepts.
VET407 Connections -- Y1	Core	1.5 total	First-year DVM students work with senior students in the clinical environment to integrate basic and preclinical material. Students also work with a faculty mentor to discuss concepts and skills relevant to a professional veterinarian.
Spring Term Courses
Title	Type	Units	Description
VET400 Professional and Clinical Skills -- Y1	Core	6.0 total	Outline expectations and skill set required to participate successfully in the DVM curriculum as well as providing learning opportunity in communication, team-building, leadership, conflict management, stress management, critical thinking, professional behaviors, history taking, physical examination skills and medical record keeping.
VET403 Musculoskeletal	Core	9	Anatomy, histology, and physiology necessary for understanding form and function of the bones, joints, muscles, and tendons in producing locomotion; and the pathologic processes that produce typical responses to injury of musculoskeletal structures in domestic animals. This course integrates aspects of orthopedics, surgery, radiology, histology, anatomy and cell biology.
VET404 Neuroscience/Senses/Behavior	Core	10.5	Establish a basis for clinical neurology, ophthalmology, and behavior by providing an integrated study of normal neurobiology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, neuropharmacology, neurotoxicology, ophthalmology and behavior.
VET405 Gastrointestinal/Metabolism	Core	9	Examine anatomical and functional crosstalk across organs associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Applied problems in pharmacology, physical examination, diagnostic testing, and imaging are used to reinforce a basic understanding of organ anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and nutrition/metabolism.
VET407 Connections -- Y1	Core	1.5 total	First-year DVM students work with senior students in the clinical environment to integrate basic and preclinical material. Students also work with a faculty mentor to discuss concepts and skills relevant to a professional veterinarian.

Year Two

Fall Term Courses
Title	Type	Units	Description
VET408 Cardiovascular/ Respiratory	Core	9	Normal cardiovascular and respiratory system biology and the integrated response of those systems to injury or disease.
VET409 Renal/ Urinary	Core	6	Examine and explore the normal morphology (gross and microscopic), physiology, pathology and imaging of the upper and lower urinary tract in multiple species.
VET410 Endocrinology /Reproduction	Core	9	Gross/microanatomy, physiology, pathology and common disease syndromes of endocrine glands and reproductive systems in males and female veterinary species. The student should understand normal function and dysfunction at the molecular, cellular and organismal level.
VET412 Oncology	Core	3	This course explores the biological basis of cancer, including its causes, classification, systemic effects, and progression within veterinary patients. Students will evaluate diagnostic tools, staging strategies, and therapeutic approaches. Emphasis is placed on applying this knowledge to clinical practice and effectively communicating cancer-related information to clients and the public.
VET416 Connections -- Y2	Core	1.5 total	First-year DVM students work with senior students in the clinical environment to integrate basic and preclinical material. Students also work with a faculty mentor to discuss concepts and skills relevant to a professional veterinarian.
VET417 Professional and Clinical Skills -- Y2	Core	2.5 total	Build skills in communication, history-taking, client interactions, team-building, conflict, stress management, and professional behaviors.
Spring Term Courses
Title	Type	Units	Description
VET411 Skin	Core	3	Structure and function of the skin and specialized keratinized structures in veterinary species. Review mechanisms by which skin responds to perturbations and discuss wound healing and skin pathology.
VET413 Immunology /Infectious Disease	Core	12	Integrate immunology, microbiology, virology, parasitology of common infectious, zoonotic and foreign animal diseases.
VET414 Population Health	Core	6	Principles of evidence-based medicine, study design and inference, and disease transmission in populations. Topics include biostatistics, outbreak investigation and response, diagnostic tests, vaccine strategies, food safety, foreign animal diseases, and impact of environmental health on animals and humans.
VET415 Clinical Foundations	Core	9	Essential concepts that are shared across year three blocks to include foundational material in anesthesia, surgery and emergency medicine with cases that include interpretation of clinical pathology and imaging.
VET416 Connections - Y2	Core	1.5 total	Second-year DVM students work with senior students in the clinical environment to integrate basic and preclinical material. Students also work with a faculty mentor to discuss concepts and skills relevant to a professional veterinarian.
VET417 Professional and Clinical Skills -- Y2	Core	2.5 total	Build skills in communication, history-taking, client interactions, team-building, conflict, stress management, and professional behaviors.

Year Three

Stream

Emphasis

Supplemental Choice

Fall Term Courses
Title	Type	Units	Description
VET430 Core Stream	Core	4.0 total	This course is a longitudinal stream in the third year to include law, regulatory medicine, disaster response, business, communication, and some clinical skills.
VET431 Anesthesia/Surgery Stream	Core	4.5 total	Introduction to surgical anatomy, operative and anesthetic skills.
VET432A Comparative Stream I	Core	2	Approach commonly encountered diseases and medical problems across multiple species. Development of problem-solving skills related to the medical problems of all species from the level of individual animals to groups/herds/populations.
VET432B Comparative Stream II	Core	2	Approach commonly encountered diseases and medical problems across multiple species. Development of problem-solving skills related to the medical problems of all species from the level of individual animals to groups/herds/populations.
VET433A Small Animal Stream I	Stream	9	Clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and the medical and surgical approaches to the infectious, musculoskeletal, neurologic and ophthalmologic diseases of small animals.
VET433B Small Animal Stream II	Stream	9	Clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and the medical and surgical approaches to the dermatologic, dental, and gastrointestinal diseases of small animals as well as preventative medicine and nutrition.
VET434A Large Animal Stream I	Stream	9	Fundamentals of entry level large animal medicine and surgery to promote development of problem-solving skills for diagnosis, treatment and control of various disease conditions.
VET434B Large Animal Stream II	Stream	9	Continuation of fundamentals of entry level large animal medicine and surgery to promote development of problem-solving skills for diagnosis, treatment and control of various disease conditions.
Spring Term Courses
Title	Type	Units	Description
VET430 Core Stream	Core	4.0 total	This course is a longitudinal stream in the third year to include law, regulatory medicine, disaster response, business, communication, and some clinical skills.
VET431 Anesthesia and Surgical Stream	Core	4.5 total	Introduction to surgical anatomy, operative and anesthetic skills.
VET432C Comparative Stream III	Core	4	Approach commonly encountered diseases and medical problems across multiple species. Development of problem-solving skills related to the medical problems of all species from the level of individual animals to groups/herds/populations.
VET433C Small Animal Stream III	Stream	10	Clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and the medical and surgical approaches to the cardiorespiratory, endocrine, and urinary medicine as well as diagnosis and therapy of oncologic diseases in small animals. Introduction to companion, avian, and exotic pet medicine and surgery.
VET435A Large Animal Stream -- Equine Emphasis	Emphasis	12	Fundamental and advanced levels of equine medicine, surgery, lameness and reproduction. Focus on management of individual equids.
VET435B Large Animal Stream -- Livestock Emphasis	Emphasis	12	Fundamental and advanced levels of livestock medicine and surgery of individual animals and population health. Focus on all livestock species including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry.
VET435C Large Animal Stream -- Zoological Medicine Emphasis	Emphasis	10	This course provides a taxonomic and topic-based approach towards learning basic fundamentals of zoological medicine. The course introduces and discusses comparative anatomy, physiology, nutrition, management, anesthesia, medicine/surgery, pathology, and conservation of zoological species that are free-ranging or under human care. Didactic principles are reinforced with hands-on labs and field trips.
VET436 Companion Small Mammals	Elective	3	Fundamental understanding of the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, prevention, and control of medical diseases of companion small exotic mammals.
VET440 Business and Communication	Core	1.5	Develop professional communication and business skills that are directly applicable in veterinary clinical practice by actively participating in a wide variety of interactive learning opportunities.
VET441 Clinical Pathology	Core	1.5	Application of problem-solving and microscopy skills to laboratory data and laboratory specimens. Sections to include hematology, immunology, body fluids, exfoliative cytology, urinalysis, microbiology and clinical chemistry data and interpretation.
VET442 Advanced Clinical Skills and Hospital Operations	Core	3	Development of advanced clinical skills using skills learned in years 1–3 of the DVM curriculum as a foundation. Detailed orientation to the VMTH and VMACS, with a focus on global hospital operations that will prepare students for case management in year 4 of the DVM curriculum and for clinical practice following graduation. Some evenings and weekends required.

Supplemental Block Courses-Fall
Title	Type	Units	Description
VET439 Laboratory Animal	Supp Block	3	Basics of laboratory animal medicine including diseases, medicine, and surgery and comparative biology of the most common species and introduction to regulations. Course will be a combination of lecture, wet labs and projects.
Supplemental Block Courses-Spring
Title	Type	Units	Description
VET437 Avian/Reptile- Required for Zoo	Supp Block	3	Organized by organ systems to present reptile and avian health issues. An overview of applied anatomy, physiology and clinical pathology of common species will be provided through laboratory opportunities and discussion of common diseases and treatments.

Year Four- Clinical Year

Title	Description
DVM445 California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory - Davis	Overview of how CAHFS interfaces with the production animal industry and practitioners. Understanding of the laboratory approach to the diagnosis of predominately production animal diseases.
DVM446 Pre-approved Externship	Approved program of study to receive training and experience in specific areas outside the School of Veterinary Medicine. These include private practice, industry, and academic institutions and allow students to pursue specific career paths with excellent educational opportunities.
DVM447 Educational Leadership	This veterinary education rotation provides students with hands-on experience in educational methodology and teaching, and/or situational leadership, all of which are evidence-based, implementing the neuroscience of learning proven techniques.
DVM448 California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory - San Bernardino	Overview of how CAHFS interfaces with the production animal industry and practitioners. Understanding of the laboratory approach to the diagnosis of predominately production animal diseases. The rotation concentrates on anatomic pathology with a mixed case load consisting of cattle, horses, small ruminants, swine, poultry (both commercial and backyard flocks), other avian species, new world camelids, wildlife, exotic species, aquaculture species, and small animals.
DVM449 Externship	Approved program of study to receive training and experience outside the School of Veterinary Medicine. Opportunities include private practice and provides first-hand experiences in diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities and management and business methods in the private sector.
DVM450 Cardiology	Diagnostic techniques of history taking, cardiac physical examination, electrocardiography, radiography, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization and medical, interventional, and surgical therapy of cardiac disorders will be taught along with the etiology and pathophysiology of various cardiac disorders.
DVM451 Clinical Pathology - VMTH	Focus on the practical use and application of laboratory testing in a practice setting to facilitate optimal management of patients.
DVM452 Primary Care	Practice wellness care in pediatric and adult patients, address medical management of geriatric patients, and develop a practical, problem-oriented approach to routine medical issues presenting in general practice.
DVM453 Community Surgery - Gourley Clinical Teaching Center	General surgery service to include instruction in physical exams, basic anesthesia, pain management and routine surgeries. Sample surgeries include routine spays and neuters, cystotomy, mass removal, digit amputation, encluceation, etc.
DVM454 Companion Avian and Pet Exotics	Basic components of husbandry, nutrition, handling, diseases, medical and surgical treatment of companion exotics including avian (companion and wildlife), small exotic mammal, reptilian, amphibian and aquatic animal patients.
DVM455 Dentistry / Oral Surgery	Examination, diagnosis and treatment of small animals presenting with oral or dental diseases.
DVM456 Dermatology	Exposure to veterinary dermatology. Learn the importance of obtaining a good history, performing a good physical examination and characterizing lesions. Various diagnostic and therapeutic techniques specific to dermatology will be demonstrated.
DVM457 Equine Emergency Surgery	In-depth training and hands-on experience in various facets of equine emergency case management, including the diagnosis, management, and treatment of both equine emergency medical and surgical patients.
DVM459 Equine Field Service	On-farm practical experience in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of equine disease problems.
DVM460 Equine Medicine In House	Learn and practice the highest level of equine internal medicine with the goal to generate or implement a problem-oriented approach to clinical problems, determine a diagnostic work-up, prognosis and treatment plan for patients.
DVM461 Equine Reproduction	Routine reproductive management of the horse on local brood mare farms as part of a field service program and of stallion and mare infertility in a tertiary referral setting at the VMTH. Participate in weekly clinical and endocrinology rounds.
DVM462 Equine Surgery and Lameness	Advanced training and experience in equine surgery services to manage all orthopedic and non-orthopedic elective surgical disorders as well as equine lameness disorders.
DVM463 Farrier and Sports Medicine	Introduction to the normal structure and function of the equine foot. Principles of corrective shoeing for many lameness disorders.
DVM464 Community Surgery - CCAH	General surgery service to include instruction in physical exams, basic anesthesia, pain management and routine surgeries. Surgeries include routine spays and neuters and other minor procedures such as simple mass removals.
DVM466 Internal Medicine B	Improve clinical skills required to manage cases in the Small Animal Service including comprehensive histories, preforming complete physical examinations, obtaining samples, interpreting results, conducting special procedures and assisting faculty and residents in the diagnosis, prevention, management and treatment of disease.
DVM468 California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory - Tulare	Overview of how CAHFS interfaces with the production animal industry and practitioners. Understanding of the laboratory approach to the diagnosis of predominately production animal diseases. The case load consists primarily of dairy cattle and poultry, with a smaller number of sheep, goats, exotic birds, and other livestock species. The rotation includes necropsy, histology, bacteriology, and immunology.
DVM469 California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory - Turlock	Overview of how CAHFS interfaces with the production animal industry and practitioners. Understanding of the laboratory approach to the diagnosis of predominately production animal diseases.
DVM471 Livestock Medicine and Surgery In House	Hands-on clinical experience diagnosing, treating, and managing medical and surgical diseases of primary care and referral cases involving dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, dairy goats, meat goats, and pigs.
DVM472 Livestock Reproduction / Herd Health	Exposure to individual animal medicine and surgery as well as herd reproductive programs on the farm. A regular client base with a variety of species is served: dairy cattle, beef cattle, goats and sheep.
DVM473 Dairy Production Medicine - Tulare	Advanced training and experience in a clinical dairy health and production medicine delivery system. Exposure to contemporary dairy production and population medicine programs. Develop ability to communicate with producers and farm employees.
DVM475 Laboratory Animal Medicine	Provide exposure to various management activities and techniques used by laboratory animal veterinarians both antemortem & postmortem to support animal research primarily involving rodents but may include many vertebrates from fish to non-human primates.
DVM476 Large Animal Anesthesia	Advanced training and experience in anesthetic management, acute care problem-solving and decision-making of healthy and physiologically stressed large animal patients.
DVM477 Large Animal Radiology	Training in the art of making quality radiographs of large animal patients and interpreting radiographic studies.
DVM478 Large Animal Ultrasonography	Hands-on experience in the ultrasonographic diagnosis of primarily musculoskeletal injuries and abdominal disorders in horses and the occasional non-equine patient.
DVM480 Neurology / Neurosurgery	Provide specialized veterinary care for animals with neurological diseases; i.e., disorders of the brain, inner ear, spinal cord, and vertebrae and diseases affecting muscles, nerves and the neuromuscular junction.
DVM481 Nutrition	Advanced training and experience in the principles and practice of small animal clinical nutrition.
DVM482 Medical Oncology	Advanced training and experience in diagnosis, staging, medical management, and prognostication of cancer in animal patients.
DVM483 Small Animal Ophthalmology	Ongoing education, training, and experience in an ophthalmic specialty practice dealing with companion and exotic species. Learn to take histories related to ocular problems, to competently examine an eye, and to perform basic diagnostic procedures.
DVM484 Orthopedic Surgery	Lameness examinations and treatments for all orthopedic diseases to include osteoarthritis, developmental diseases, trauma-induced injuries and cancer. Both medical and surgical treatments are used and presented to owners in an evidenced based fashion.
DVM485 Anatomic Pathology	Advanced training and experience to develop a general understanding of the nature of common pathologic lesions and their interpretation in light of clinical history. Postmortem techniques and practice in writing descriptions of gross lesions.
DVM486 Primate Medicine	Acquire skills to perform physical examinations, blood collection, cystocentesis, catheter placement, fluid therapy, basic wound care, bandaging, suturing, amputations, and orogastric tube feedings.
DVM487 Radiation Oncology	Staging and treatment of patients with cancer and use of radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer in companion animals. Management of clinical patients, the indications for radiation therapy and technical aspects treatment planning and dose calculations.
DVM488 Shelter Medicine / Surgery	Exposure to all areas in a variety of shelters in the Sacramento and Bay Area. Accompany Shelter Medicine Program personnel on consultations; depending on schedule.
DVM489 Small Animal Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation	Participate in physical rehabilitation evaluation to diagnose movement dysfunction, design and effectively implement an evidence-based treatment plan to restore, maintain or enhance optimal physical function after injury, surgery or disability. Emphasis on development of observation and manual assessment skills.
DVM490 Small Animal Anesthesia	Experience in anesthetizing small animals in a clinical setting.
DVM491 Small Animal Emergency	Emergency practice includes the immediate recognition, evaluation, and care of patients with acute illness and injury.
DVM492 Intensive Care Unit	Gain and demonstrate competence in both the immediate and ongoing care of a diverse group of critically ill small animal patients. Gain proficiency in invasive procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, stabilization of the respiratory distress patient and hemodynamic stabilization.
DVM493 Internal Medicine A	Improve clinical skills required to manage cases in the Small Animal Service including comprehensive histories, preforming complete physical examinations, obtaining samples, interpreting results, conducting special procedures and assisting faculty and residents in the diagnosis, prevention, management and treatment of disease.
DVM494 Small Animal Radiology	Participate in technical aspects of producing radiographs, interpreting radiographic and other diagnostic imaging studies and performing diagnostic ultrasound exams.
DVM495 Soft Tissue Surgery	Participate in management of cases referred for advanced surgical techniques to include all aspects of case management from hospital admission to discharge including daily case rounds.
DVM496 Behavior	Understand the importance of behavior in companion animal practice, primarily that of dogs and cats. Apply the knowledge to prevent and treat problematic behaviors in companion animals.
DVM497 Research
DVM498 Aquatic Medicine	Focus on the application of basic fish health principles to address current problems as experienced by fish as held for research, as large populations in state fish hatcheries and as part of the collection of large public/private aquaria.
DVM499 Zoological Medicine	Experience in order to become proficient in performing physical examinations and collecting diagnostic samples form a variety of non-domestic animals. Majority of the rotations spent providing patient care at the Sacramento Zoo.

DVM Curriculum Overview