Course Descriptions

Year 1 | Semester 2

DVM 5100 Diagnostic Imaging 1 (1 credits, 1 hour lecture, 0 hours lab). This course provides students the opportunity to learn the basic principles of diagnostic imaging and writing radiology reports using a case-based framework built on the premise that consistent practice over time with expert feedback leads to skill mastery. Students will develop reading paradigms for musculoskeletal, abdominal and thoracic films of both small and large animals using a systematic approach. Within the given reading paradigms, students will learn how to describe findings using Roentgen signs, draw conclusions and prioritize differential diagnoses based on findings and propose appropriate next steps given findings and conclusions. The knowledge and skills gained in this course can be used in daily general practice when diagnostic imaging is utilized in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment planning for both small and large animals. Through a combination of weekly cases on the RadiologyRules teaching platform which include a case pre-quiz, written radiology report and case post-quiz as well as a weekly rounds session to discuss the case, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to read and interpret diagnostic films covering the broad range of diseases seen in small animal and equine general practice.

DVM 5211 Clinical and Professional Skills 2 (2 credits, 1 hour lecture, 7 hours lab). Through a series of clinically oriented learning experiences students will become competent in individual and herd physical examinations and history taking. This course builds on skills from Ia, furthering surgical and diagnostic skills. In addition, students will gain experience in diagnostic procedures and develop introductory skill sets in clinical intervention and patient management. Students will build on communications skills and conflict resolution.

DVM 5121 Integrated Clinical Reasoning 2 (1 credits, 0 hour lecture, 0 hours lab, 2 hours active learning). A problem/clinical presentation-based course where students will develop their problem-solving, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical decision-making skills by exploring a series of clinical presentations. Presentations will cover clinical problems, health protection problems, public health/public practice and research problems, in individuals, groups, and populations of animals. Skills will include problem identification, information gathering and assessment, analytic and non-analytic clinical and diagnostic reasoning skills clinical reasoning, and problem solving. Students are expected to integrate foundational knowledge from biomedical sciences with clinical sciences, population health science, and technical skills to explore and resolve problems. The focus in Clinical Presentations Ib is on the ability to differentiate normal from abnormal and to start learning to integrate this into diagnostic reasoning.

DVM 5331 Veterinary Physiology Ib (3 credits, 3 hours lecture). Pending course description.

DVM 5341 Pathologic Basis of Disease (3 credits, 3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab). This course provides an introduction to the general processes underlying disease. Morphologic and functional changes in cells, tissues, and organs as a result of internal and external stimuli are discussed. Students obtain a basic understanding of the development of lesions and the complex relationship between host, pathogen, and environment that leads to dysfunction and disease. The use of pathology as a diagnostic tool and the relationship between pathology and clinical medicine is introduced. Students are introduced to safe, systematic approaches to performing postmortem examinations. Students learn to recognize and describe common gross and microscopic lesions using appropriate medical and specifically pathological terminology. Note: laboratory experience for this subject will be included in the Clinical and Professional Skills Ib course.

DVM 5370 Microbiology (3 credits, 3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab). This course provides an overview of the bacterial and fungal classes important in animal health and disease and explore how virulence mechanisms lead to the spectrum of animal bacterial and fungal diseases and zoonotic diseases. The interaction of bacteria and fungi with the animal host, the environment and shared human hosts will be explored. Students will be introduced to diagnostic and management approaches relevant to common bacterial and fungal diseases.

DVM 5380 Parasitology (3 credits, 3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab). The students will learn the fundamentals of parasitology in animals of veterinary importance. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding of the epidemiology, host-parasite interaction, and clinical disease of North American parasites, particularly those in Texas and the surrounding regions. Attention will also be given to those that pose a zoonotic, biosafety, or security threat. Students will also learn diagnostic, management, and treatment practices in the different species of parasites and their hosts.

DVM 5431 Veterinary Anatomy 2 (4 credits, 4 hours lecture). Pending course description.

DVM 6271 Principles of Surgery (2 credits, 2 hours lecture, 0 hours lab). A comprehensive introduction to general principles of veterinary surgery across species is covered in this course. Students will gain a foundation in the basic principles to provide a foundational knowledge and reasoning base that will support learning in the clinical presentation, clinical skills, and advanced medicine and surgery courses.