Curriculum Digest

Clerkships

Semester 1

Normal Form and Function: 4 credit hours (01510) Required

This course emphasizes core foundational knowledge of normal structure and function of domestic species. Cell structure, differentiation, and physiology are covered. Students are introduced to domestic animal body structure together with the radiographic anatomy of those structures. The course details normal behavior and management of domestic species. Students are exposed to research projects conducted by faculty within the SSVM.
Lecture and Laboratory

Neuromusculoskeletal System: 6 credit hours (01511) Required

This course covers core knowledge of form and function of appendicular skeleton, muscles, and nerves. Cell types, cell structure and physiological mechanisms of control are emphasized. Thoracic and pelvic limb comparative anatomy is taught alongside radiographic anatomy. An overview of the central and peripheral nervous system is provided together with special senses.
Lecture and Laboratory

Blood and Immunity: 4 credit hours (01512) Required

This course provides an overview of the microanatomy of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Innate immunity, cellular and humoral adaptive immunity together with regulation of the immune response and hypersensitivity reactions are discussed. Mechanisms of immunity against pathogens including vaccinations are emphasized. Erythrogram, erythropoiesis, platelets, and coagulation as well as methodologies used to evaluate these structures are included.
Lecture and Laboratory

Professional Skills I: 1 credit hour (01513) Required

This six-semester course covers clinical and interprofessional communication, utilization of the Problem-Based Medical Record, teamwork, and collaboration, ethics, reflective practice, intercultural awareness, mindfulness and mental wellbeing, professional identity, practice management and business and personal finances. Each successive course will cover the same topics in increasing depth and complexity.
Lecture and Laboratory

Semester 2

Cardiopulmonary System: 6 credit hours (01520) Required

The structure and function of the pulmonary system together with the heart and great vessels are covered. Anatomy, microanatomy, and diagnostic imaging of the nasal mucosa, trachea, bronchial tree and lung lobes, heart and great vessels are included. Blood-Gas exchange and physiological regulation of respiration, neural and hormonal control of blood pressure, fluid distribution and homeostasis are covered.
Lecture and Laboratory

Gastrointestinal System: 4 credit hours (01521) Required

This course compares the structure and function of the alimentary system of domestic species including
introduction of dental structures. Comparative anatomy, microanatomy, and diagnostic imaging are covered.
Endocrine, paracrine, neurocrine and autocrine functions of the GI tract are discussed. Liver, together with the endocrine and exocrine pancreas are included as they relate to the consumption, digestion, metabolism, and excretion of nutrients. Common diets for each domestic species are included as well as the ability of these diets to meet the nutrient needs of animals in different life stages.
Lecture and Laboratory

Urogenital and Endocrine Systems: 4 credit hours (01522) Required

Renal anatomy and physiology are covered in this course. This will include glomerular filtration, excretion of toxins and reabsorption of solutes and ions. The role of the kidney in fluid distribution, acid-base balance, and regulation of blood pressure is emphasized. The structure and function of the reproductive tracts in domestic animals including the gross anatomy, microanatomy, and diagnostic imaging is presented. The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in the control of reproduction, thyroid, and adrenal function is included.
Lecture and Laboratory

Professional Skills II: 1 credit hour (01523) Required

This six-semester course covers clinical and interprofessional communication, utilization of the Problem-Based Medical Record, teamwork, and collaboration, ethics, reflective practice, intercultural awareness, mindfulness and mental wellbeing, professional identity, practice management and business and personal finances. Each successive course will cover the same topics in increasing depth and complexity.
Lecture and Laboratory

Semester 3

Pathobiology I: Introduction 4 credit hours (02610) Required

This course covers principles of pharmacology with an emphasis on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and basic drug calculations. Overarching principles in anatomic pathology, and general toxicology together with research principles including research integrity, conflicts of interest, research design, care and use of animals used in research are included.
Lecture and Laboratory

Pathobiology II: Cardiopulmonary and Gastrointestinal System 8 credit hours (02611) Required

This course studies bacterial, viral, parasitic, and toxicological agents of disease in domestic animals as well as mechanisms of disease production. Pathological and clinical-pathological responses to insults as well as evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and control of these agents are highlighted. This course focuses on infectious agents that target the cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal systems. Critique of a research topic related to course content is expected.
Lecture and Laboratory

Introduction to Surgical Techniques: 3 credit hours (02612) Required

This course will introduce students to preoperative planning and surgical techniques with an emphasis on
sterile technique and suture handling. The extensive use of models will allow students to begin building clinical skills.
Lecture and Laboratory

Professional Skills III: 1 credit hour (02613) Required

This six-semester course covers clinical and interprofessional communication, utilization of the Problem-Based Medical Record, teamwork, and collaboration, ethics, reflective practice, intercultural awareness, mindfulness and mental wellbeing, professional identity, practice management and business and personal finances. Each successive course will cover the same topics in increasing depth and complexity.
Lecture and Laboratory

Semester 4

Pathobiology III: Neuromuscular, Renal, Reproductive, and Integumentary Systems: 8 credit hours (02620) Required

This course is a continuation of Pathobiology II with a focus on neuromuscular, renal, reproductive, and
integumentary systems. Pathological and clinical-pathological responses to insults as well as evaluation, diagnosis, treatment of infectious agents that target these systems are highlighted. Diseases that affect multiple organ systems that do not fit in previous categories are covered this semester. Students will critique a research topic related to course content.
Lecture and Laboratory

Population Medicine: 4 credit hours (02621) Required

This course focuses on the principles of epidemiology, biosecurity, and preventive health management of
populations. One Health concepts prepare students for the role of veterinarians in the diagnosis and prevention of zoonotic diseases, food security, food safety, animal welfare, antimicrobial usage, and prevention of antimicrobial resistance. Research related to animal populations is discussed.
Lecture and Laboratory

Introduction to Anesthesia: 2 credit hours (02622) Required

This course introduces students to pain management, sedation, and anesthesia. The physiology of pain response is integrated with the pharmacological principles of pain management and anesthesia. Introduction to anesthetic machines, patient monitoring, and fluid therapy is covered.
Lecture and Laboratory

Dentistry: 2 credit hours (02624 ) Required

Clinically relevant dental anatomy, nomenclature and charting is covered. Diagnostic procedures, prophylaxis and management of both periodontal and dental diseases is discussed. The extensive use of models will allow students to continue building clinical skills.
Lecture and Laboratory

Professional Skills IV: 1 credit hour (02623) Required

This six-semester course covers clinical and interprofessional communication, utilization of the Problem-Based Medical Record, teamwork, and collaboration, ethics, reflective practice, intercultural awareness, mindfulness and mental wellbeing, professional identity, practice management and business and personal finances. Each successive course will cover the same topics in increasing depth and complexity.
Lecture and Laboratory

Semester 5

Small Animal Medicine and Surgery I: 8 credit hours (03710) Required

Students participate in in-depth discussions of medical and surgical diseases of dogs and cats including
pathophysiology, diagnosis, therapeutic management, and appropriate use of referral. Disorders of the
cardiovascular, respiratory, hemolymphatic, ophthalmic, integumentary, neuromuscular, and orthopedic
systems are covered. Clinical pharmacology, clinical pathology, and diagnostic imaging are included in each system as appropriate.
Lecture and Laboratory

Large Animal Medicine and Surgery 1: 8 credit hours (03711) Required

Students participate in in-depth discussions of medical and surgical diseases of bovine, camelids, small
ruminants, swine, poultry, and equine species including pathophysiology, diagnosis, therapeutic management, and appropriate use of referral. Disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory, hemolymphatic, ophthalmic, integumentary, neuromuscular, and orthopedic systems are covered. Clinical pharmacology, clinical pathology, and diagnostic imaging are included in each system as appropriate.
Lecture and Laboratory

Anesthesia-Surgery Procedures I: 3 credit hours (03712) Required

This course covers anesthetic and surgical management of routine procedures in multiple species. Students gain experience using models and live animals.
Lecture and Laboratory

Professional Skills V: 1 credit hour (03713) Required

This six-semester course covers clinical and interprofessional communication, utilization of the Problem-Based Medical Record, teamwork, and collaboration, ethics, reflective practice, intercultural awareness, mindfulness and mental wellbeing, professional identity, practice management and business and personal finances. Each successive course will cover the same topics in increasing depth and complexity.
Lecture and Laboratory

Semester 6

Small Animal Medicine and Surgery II: 6 credit hours (03720) Required

Students participate in in-depth discussions of medical and surgical diseases of dogs and cats including
pathophysiology, diagnosis, therapeutic management, and appropriate use of referral. Disorders of the reproductive, gastrointestinal, renal, and endocrine systems are covered. Clinical pharmacology, clinical pathology, and diagnostic imaging are included in each system as appropriate.
Lecture and Laboratory

Large Animal Medicine and Surgery II: 4 credit hours (03721) Required

Students participate in in-depth discussions of medical and surgical diseases of bovine, camelids, small
ruminants, swine, poultry, and equine species including pathophysiology, diagnosis, therapeutic management, and appropriate use of referral. Disorders of the reproductive, gastrointestinal, renal/urinary, and endocrine systems are covered. Clinical pharmacology, clinical pathology, and diagnostic imaging are included in each system as appropriate.
Lecture and Laboratory

Exotic and Lab Animal Medicine: 3 credit hours (03722) Required

This course is an introduction to exotic companion and zoo animal medicine with an emphasis on basic clinical procedures, clinical signs, diagnostic features and treatment of diseases commonly found in these species. This course will also review US regulations on the use, care, and welfare of animals in zoological collections, aquaria, and research laboratories. The basic framework for managing exotic species in general practice will be provided.
Lecture and Laboratory

Anesthesia/ Surgery Procedures II: 3 credit hours (03724) Required

This course is a continuation of Anesthesia/Surgery Procedures I. Anesthetic and surgical management of routine procedures in multiple species are covered. Students gain experience using models and live animals.
Laboratory Only

Professional Skills VI: 1 credit hour (03723) Required

This six-semester course covers clinical and interprofessional communication, utilization of the Problem-Based Medical Record, teamwork, and collaboration, ethics, reflective practice, intercultural awareness, mindfulness and mental wellbeing, professional identity, practice management and business and personal finances. Each successive course will cover the same topics in increasing depth and complexity.
Lecture and Laboratory

Semesters 7, 8, and 9 - Clinical Year Clerkships

Anesthesia: 2 credit hours (04801) Required

This is a comparative clerkship offered at SSVM teaching hospital where students gain experience in sedation, anesthesia, and pain management in a variety of small animal patients. Additional objectives emphasized during this clerkship include teamwork, management of controlled substances, and record keeping.
Clerkship

Dentistry: 2 credit hours (04802) Required

This clerkship is designed to provide experience in dentistry and oral surgery. Students may choose large or small animal focus depending on area of interest. Students are expected to perform an oral examination, obtain, and interpret intraoral radiographs, discuss therapeutic options, and perform basic periodontal procedures and extractions. Regional nerve blocks and appropriate post-operative analgesia will be discussed. This clerkship can be completed at SSVM teaching hospital or at an approved affiliate practice.
Clerkship

Diagnostic Imaging: 2 credit hours (04803) Required

This clerkship provides in-depth training in radiology, ultrasound, and cross-sectional imaging with an emphasis on radiation safety, production, and interpretation of diagnostic imaging in clinical practice. This clerkship is offered at SSVM teaching hospital.
Clerkship

Diagnostic Pathology: 4 credit hours (04805) Required

This clerkship provides students with a focused experience in veterinary anatomic pathology and diagnostic
laboratory services. This clerkship is completed at New Jersey State Diagnostic Lab.
Clerkship 

Clinical Elective Clerkships: 2 credit hours (04817) 4 Clerkships Required

This series of 4 clerkships provides students with the opportunities to explore areas of interest in more detail. Clerkships may include a combination of primary care, specialty care, or public practice. Students must have their elective clerkships approved by the office of Academic Affairs at least 3 months before the clerkship begins. Forms are available in the Office of Academic Affairs.
Clerkship

Emergency and Critical Care: 4 credit hours (04806) Required

This clerkship focuses on the management of emergent and critical cases presented to the SSVM teaching
hospital. Students will be expected to prioritize situational urgency and formulate plans to stabilize emergent cases. Management of postoperative and other critical patients in the intensive care unit will provide experience with technical and nursing procedures as well as compassionate client communication.
Clerkship

Large Animal Primary Care: 6 credit hours (04807) Required

During this clerkship, students will accompany ambulatory clinicians from SSVM teaching hospital on farm calls where they will participate in routine herd health visits, reproductive examinations, nutritional evaluation, and disease prevention on horses, cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, and swine. Learning objectives will include demonstrated knowledge of vaccinations, parasite control, mastitis prevention and routine procedures.
Clerkship

Large Animal Focus: 2 credit hours (04808) Required

This clerkship will allow students to experience 2 weeks at a large animal hospital or university-facilitated
production animal facility. We have agreements with Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center and BW Furlong & Associates for this experience. Students may petition to go to another large animal hospital or veterinary school.
Clerkship

Primary Care: Small Animal General Practice: 4 credit hours (04809) Required

This clerkship is offered at the SSVM teaching hospital primary care clinic and emphasizes the health and wellness of dogs, cats, and small mammals. Primary case responsibility for more common diseases affecting these species including history taking, physical examination, problem identification, selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests and treatment planning are core learning objectives. Routine surgical procedures will be performed during this clerkship. Identification of situations in which referral is appropriate, time management, client communication and record keeping are also considered.
Clerkship

Beyond Private Practice: 2 credit hours (04810) Required

This rotation is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore career options for veterinarians in areas other than private practice. Students will select a two-week experience in one of the following: federal, state, or local governments; industrial corporations (pharmaceutical and biological companies, contracting laboratories); non-profit institutions (research institutes, zoos, wildlife centers); or international organizations in the United States or overseas or academic intuitions. Students will work with their faculty advisor to identify learning objectives for each rotation.
Clerkship

Shelter Medicine: 4 credit hours (04811) Required

This clerkship will provide students surgical experiences through a High Quality; High Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) stationary service model for the animals of Gloucester County Animal Shelter (GCAS) and other area shelter and rescue organizations and a mobile unit owned and operated by SSVM. Students will be responsible for all clinical services from admission to discharge. One Health and access-to-care initiatives will focus on wellness and preventative care clinics, municipal vaccine clinics, and mobile spay/neuter services to provide veterinary care to target populations of animals. Other activities may include shelter consultation or mock consultation visits, research or case study work, shelter design workshops, daily rounds topic discussions and off-site activities to expand on other shelter topics such as cruelty investigation and veterinary forensics.
Clerkship

Small Animal Internal Medicine: 4 credit hours (04812) Required

This clerkship offered at the SSVM teaching hospital specialty hospital provides primary case responsibility for a spectrum of more complicated clinical diseases affecting dogs and cats. History taking, physical examination, problem identification, selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests, and treatment planning are core learning objectives.
Clerkship

Small Animal Surgery: 4 credit hours (04813) Required

This clerkship focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic management of small animal surgical patients
presented to the SSVM teaching hospital. In addition to history taking, physical examination, diagnostic testing and interpretation, there is an emphasis on treatment planning in context to animal welfare, client expectations, and economic considerations. Surgical management of both soft tissue and orthopedic diseases will be included.
Clerkship

Specialty Medicine 1: 2 credit hours (04814) three Clerkships Required

Students will select three clerkships with a specialist approved by the American Board of Veterinary Specialists. Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Exotics, Oncology and Dermatology are available at the SSVM teaching hospital. Other specialties may be approved though petition to the Office of Academic Affairs. (Note, large animal focus students can request a specialist with large animal focus). The Specialty Medicine Clerkship will be repeated three times for a total of 6 weeks and a maximum of one clerkship (2 weeks) can be completed within the same specialty.
Clerkship

Specialty Medicine 2: 2 credit hours (04815) Required

Same as above.
Clerkship

Specialty Medicine 3: 2 credit hours (04816) Required

Same as above.
Clerkship

Preclinical Electives: All students must complete 4 preclinical electives.

Most electives last 2 weeks for a total of 2 credits, offered during a two-week interval at the end of each semester. 

Introduction to Pet Pig Practice: 2 credit hours (01901)

This course provides an introduction to pet pig practice. Topics covered include physical exam, vaccination,
diseases of zoonotic concern, nutrition, parasite control strategies, common procedures, common disease conditions, common medical and surgical intervention, and regulatory compliance.
Lecture and Laboratory

Introduction to Small Ruminant and Camelid Practice: 2 credit hours (01905)

This course provides an introduction to small ruminant and camelid practice, including species such as goats, sheep, and alpaca. Topics covered include physical exam, herd health management, nutrition, parasite control strategies, common procedures, common disease conditions, common medical and surgical intervention, and regulatory compliance.
Lecture and Laboratory

Fear-free Certification Elective: 2 credit hours (01916)

This course uses an asynchronous RACE-approved certificate program and experiential learning to have students become certified in fear free handling in companion animal dog/cat and the opportunity to implement these skills under the guidance of Fear-Free certified practitioners in affiliate veterinary practices. The goal of the Fear-Free certification program is to provide veterinary professionals with the tools and knowledge to address different levels of patient fear, anxiety, and stress, improve client communication, and increase workplace safety. 
Lecture and Laboratory

CPR certification and ER Training: Level I: 2 credit hours (01921)

Through this course, students will obtain a Recover CPR certificate at the BLS (Basic Life Support) level of small animal emergency/critical care. This course provides opportunities to develop and practice the skills necessary to triage a small animal emergency at the level of a veterinary technician in a small animal hospital. Students will practice their triage, medical history taking, and patient evaluation skills in clinical emergency and critical care practices.
Lecture and Laboratory

CPR certification and ER Training: Level II: 2 Credit Hours (01922)

Through this course, students will obtain a Recover CPR certificate at the ALS (Advanced Life Support) level for small animal emergency/critical care. This course provides opportunities to develop and practice advanced ER technical skills including intubation, IV catheterization, use of monitoring equipment including ECG and ETCO2 evaluation, complex drug calculations and defibrillation.
Lecture and Laboratory

Basic Honeybee Medicine: 2 Credit Hours (01923)

This hybrid class will provide students with the knowledge necessary to care for bees and serve the veterinary needs of the honeybee industry, including an introduction to honeybees and beekeeping as well as the role of veterinarians in diagnosis and treatment of colonies. With a combination of classes and in-person labs, students will learn everything from basic bee biology and beekeeping terminology and equipment, honeybee diseases and conditions and beehive inspection procedures, to the role of veterinarians in diagnosis and treatment of colonies, and how to comply with the Veterinary Feed Directive.
Lecture and Laboratory

Fundamentals of Veterinary Business and Practice Management: 2 Credit Hours (01915)

This course will introduce students to the operations of a veterinary business. Topics will include regulatory and legal compliance, budgeting, inventory management, access to capital, human resource management, marketing, customer relationship management, and taxation. The focus will be on laws and regulation in the State of New Jersey, however the principles of the course will be applicable to all US jusdictions.
Lecture and Laboratory

Literature Search and Review in Veterinary Applied Research: 2 Credit Hours (01924)

This elective focuses on guiding DVM students through an in-depth literature search and review process within the field of veterinary biomedical research. Under the mentorship of a faculty advisor, students will learn essential skills for comprehensive literature exploration, critical analysis, and synthesis. The course culminates in the production of a mini-review paper and a presentation. This elective must be completed throughout out the semester and not during the final two weeks only. This elective requires a commitment of approximately 3 hours per week for 15 weeks to ensure the successful completion of the course. This time includes both scheduled sessions and individual work on literature exploration and assignment preparation.

Literature Review - Biomedical Literature Review and Critical Analysis: 2 Credit Hours (01925)

This elective may be completed either during the final two weeks or thoroughout the semester at the discretion of the course leader. This elective is dedicated to a comprehensive search of relevant scientific literature within the context of an ongoing research project in the faculty advisor’s laboratory. DVM students will critically review scientific literature, contextualizing it within the scope of recent research findings and/or hypotheses derived from the active research project. They will actively engage in conducting comprehensive searches, critically analyzing, discussing, and producing written reports on their findings. The culmination will involve creating a concise yet comprehensive minireview paper. DVM students will synthesize, and articulate insights gained from the literature, aligning them with ongoing research project objectives. Under the faculty advisor’s discretion, DVM students will lead journal clubs and deliver a final, well-structured PowerPoint presentation. Successful completion may present opportunities for DVM
students to share their research findings at local or national meetings and contribute as authors to peer-reviewed research papers.

Advanced Biomedical Research Design: Planning, Execution, and Analysis: 2 Credit Hours (01926)

This elective may be completed either during the final two weeks or thoroughout the semester at the discretion of the course leader. This course provides a foundational understanding of experimental and non-experimental design, aiming to empower DVM students with the skills to meticulously plan, execute, and analyze experiments, ensuring the derivation of objective and meaningful conclusions. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of these skills in veterinary practice. The course underscores the critical role of well-designed experiments in producing reliable and valid results efficiently, often with optimized resource utilization. Throughout the program, students will learn to identify various study designs, enhance the quality of methodological research designs, and develop a critical eye for detecting flaws in both experimental and nonexperimental designs.

Hands-On Research Project Development and Presentation: 2 credit hours (01927)

This intensive elective immerses DVM students in hands-on research project development and presentation
within the faculty advisor’s laboratory. Collaborating closely with the advisor, students will navigate relevant scientific literature, formulate hypotheses, and actively engage in experiments using techniques acquired in individual labs. The course places a strong emphasis on practical, experiential learning, offering a unique opportunity for students to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world laboratory setting. Successful completion may lead to valuable recognition at local or national meetings and potential contributions as authors to research papers. This elective must be completed throughout the semester and not during the final two weeks only.