James P. Thompson, Dean
James J. Brace, Associate Dean, Academic Programs
Michael F. McEntee, Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Programs
Robert C. DeNovo, Jr., Associate Dean, Hospital Administration and Clinical Programs
Dennis R. Geiser, Assistant Dean, Outreach and Organizational Development
http://www.vet.utk.edu/
| MAJOR |
|
DEGREE |
| Veterinary Medicine |
|
DVM |
The College of Veterinary Medicine, established in 1974, offers a professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Residency training programs in the various clinical specialties are also offered.
The primary objective of the college is to enable students to attain essential information, skills, attitudes and behaviors to meet the varied needs of society and the veterinary profession. The professional curriculum provides an excellent basic science education in addition to training in diagnosis, disease prevention, medical treatment, and surgery. Graduates are qualified to pursue careers in the many facets of veterinary medicine and related health professions.
About two-thirds of the veterinarians in the United States are engaged exclusively in pet or companion animal practice. A growing number are concerned with the health problems of zoo animals, laboratory animals, wildlife, and aquatic species. A number of veterinarians are involved in the health care of food and fiber animals ensuring the supply of safe and healthy food.
Veterinarians also find rewarding careers in the U.S. Public Health Service, the Armed Forces, and in state, county, or local health agencies. A large number of veterinarians are employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and by state departments of agriculture for important work in livestock disease control, meat and poultry inspection, serum and vaccine production, and the protection of our country against the importation of foreign animal diseases. With the events of September 11, 2001, veterinarians are making significant contributions to biosecurity and homeland defense.
Excellent research opportunities exist for veterinarians – research directly benefiting animals and research conducted with animals that benefits humans. Such opportunities are available at colleges and universities and with governmental agencies, private research institutions and biological and pharmaceutical companies.
The college jointly administers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in comparative and experimental medicine. This program provides a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary training that prepares graduates for teaching and/or research careers in the health sciences. The majority of the graduate students and graduate faculty of the College of Veterinary Medicine are involved in the comparative and experimental medicine program. (See Comparative and Experimental Medicine in the Intercollegiate section of this catalog.)
Because of the interdisciplinary departmental administration of the college, the faculty also have opportunities in the graduate programs of other instructional units, including Animal Science (nutrition, physiology, genetics and animal management), Microbiology (bacteriology, virology and immunology), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (environmental toxicology), and Public Health. (Refer to other sections of this catalog for a full description of these programs.)
