Vet School Curriculum

[RackingHorse]

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I have noticed in several different threads that people are talking about different types of curriculum at different schools. What are the different types, and how do they vary? What is the curriculum like at UT?

 

[katryn]

I'm not sure about the different types, but I can give you a run down on UT.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd year are primarily classroom/lab oriented. Once or twice per semester we do a week with no class, but either an application based learning exercise(ABLE's), or CE(forget what it stands for but essentially it's a week spent down in the clinics on something specific such as anesthesia). First year was mostly basics: physiology, anatomy, histo, and lots of infectious diseases. Second and third year are more oriented on body systems, skill sets(ie. radiology), or species specific(ie. avian med) classes. Fourth year is all clinical rotations.

 

[Bisbee]

There is Problem Based Learning at Cornell, Western and I think UC Davis, now, too. This is case-based learning in small group discussions without as many lectures.

 

[breenie]

Mizzou (and Mississippi?) do a 2 + 2 curriculum, where you do 2 years classroom 2 years clinicals (sort of), versus the traditional 3 + 1.

 

[PetPony]

I read a vet student blog about one school that only seems to be doing problem based learning. I don't remember which school it is anymore. At least that was the only thing she was talking about. Doesn't that make the studying even harder? I understand how researching by yourself and trying to figure things out from the beginning can be helpful, but personally I'd like a mixture of lectures and PBL much better. I would have trouble figuring out what all I have to study and research..

Does anybody know how that's done at UGA and Auburn. I feel like I never heard anything about these to on SDN..

 

[moosenanny]

I read a vet student blog about one school that only seems to be doing problem based learning. I don't remember which school it is anymore.

Western's curriculum is mostly -- if not considered completely -- PBL.

Addressing an earlier comment about Davis: UC Davis is incorporating more group work and case-based learning into its new curriculum, but I wouldn't really consider it PBL. As far as I can tell the faculty isn't using that verbiage to describe it either. It is a more integrated curriculum that involves radiology, histology, pathology, anatomy, physiology, etc. all at once for a body system.

 

[lostbunny]

at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia the program is 5 years long and you get a BSc in Veterinary Biology after the 2nd year, and then your Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery after the 5th year.

The first 2 years are your anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharm and stuff like "the veterinary professional"

The next 2 years are when you start surgeries

The 5th year is rotations and elective streams

Tah-dah! you are now a vet!

 

[rubygirl]

I believe Tufts also has some PBL classes mixed in, Cornell and Western seem like they use more PBL then other schools do

 

[BuggerDoodle]

Does anybody know how that's done at UGA and Auburn. I feel like I never heard anything about these to on SDN..

Auburn is the "traditional" lectures and labs with exams and is a 3+1.

 

[natalieises]

Illinois has integrated curriculum so we have clinics 1st and 2nd year for 8 weeks each. There is a long thread about it you can find if you look for Illinois in the search. We only have one class, one grade every 8 weeks.

 

[tuwest2011]

Western is complete PBL , and I think Davis is just implementing some of PBL's principles like basic science intergration and clinical experiences

 

[Dye It Purple]

UC Davis has adopted what is being referred to as a "hybrid" curriculum. There will be more integration of case-based, student-centered learning modules than in the previous curriculum, but still a good amount of time spent in lectures. The design is also, as someone pointed out here, block oriented focusing on different body systems one at a time, including all of the associated disciplines for that system as part of the block. Additionally, once every three week rotations in the vet med teaching hospital will be incorporated into the coursework and will commence immediately in the freshman year. They are attempting overall to model their new curriculum more closely after that of U.S. medical schools. I can't wait! Just a few more short weeks and I'll be able to report back on how I'm liking it! Here's a link for more detailed explanation:

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/students/dvm_program/dvm_curriculum/fall_2011/index.cfm