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Veterinary Pathology

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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Professional Program of Study

For the professional curriculum in veterinary medicine leading to the degree doctor of veterinary medicine, see Veterinary Medicine, Curriculum.

The Department of Veterinary Pathology offers a systematic study of basic disease mechanisms with emphasis on the changes in gene expression, cells, tissues, organs, and body fluids associated with disease. The theory and practice of veterinary pathology, veterinary clinical pathology, veterinary parasitology, veterinary toxicology, and related disciplines provide the basis for accurate diagnosis and a rational approach to the treatment and prevention of animal diseases.

Graduate Study

The department offers work for the degree master of science and doctor of philosophy with a major in veterinary pathology. The majority of students choose an area of specialization in veterinary anatomic pathology, veterinary clinical pathology, or veterinary parasitology (http://vetmed.iastate.edu/vpath/academics/graduate-program). The master of science degree is available on a thesis or nonthesis basis in the veterinary pathology major with or without an area of specialization.

For the ACVP training track (residency) of the anatomic or clinical pathology graduate program designed to train veterinary pathologists, the student must have a funded position within the Department of Veterinary Pathology. If the student does not have a funded position or is not enrolled in the departmental degree program, enrollment in courses pertaining to the residency program and activities that support the residency program must have the approval of the Department Chair of Veterinary Pathology and the head of the departmental residency training program.

Graduates have a broad understanding of the mechanistic basis of disease pathogenesis. They are able to communicate with clinicians, other scientists, and other colleagues on scientific matters, and with the general public on related science policy matters. Graduates are able to address complex problems facing the agricultural and biomedical sciences, and comparative medicine, and are able to make appropriate diagnoses and investigations of animal diseases. They consider ethical, social, legal and environmental issues, and are skilled at carrying out research, communicating research results, and writing concise and competitive grant proposals.

Collaborative work is recommended in other departments in the College of Veterinary Medicine or departments or programs in other colleges. The department participates in the interdepartmental programs in Immunobiology (www.immunobiology.iastate.edu/), Toxicology (www.toxicology.iastate.edu/), Genetics (www.genetics.iastate.edu/), and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (www.mcdb.iastate.edu/).

A veterinary degree (doctor of veterinary medicine or equivalent) is required for training in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology and Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Other specializations do not require the veterinary degree. A minimum score of 550 paper-based (213 computer-based; 79 internet based) is required on the TOEFL examination for students whose native language is not English. Scores on the standardized Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test are required of students not having a veterinary degree from the United States or Canada. The GRE General Test is strongly recommended for all other applicants. A foreign language requirement will be determined by the student’s program of study committee with the approval of the departmental chair. The Graduate English Examination is a graduate college requirement for native English speakers.

The M.S. thesis degree in veterinary pathology, with or without an area of specialization, requires a minimum of 30 graduate credits. Following completion of all other requirements, a comprehensive final examination is administered covering all graduate work including the thesis. The examination is typically oral, but a written component may be specified by the program of study committee. The degree candidate must submit a thesis, including at least one manuscript suitable for publication, to the committee members and departmental chair at least two weeks prior to the final examination. The departmental requirement for graduate courses includes:

3 credits of basic biological sciences (biochemistry, genetics, cell biology)3
V PTH 551Postmortem Pathology Laboratory1
V PTH 570Systemic Pathology I4
or V PTH 571 Systemic Pathology II
STAT 587Statistical Methods for Research Workers4
V PTH 605Current Topics Seminar1
V PTH 699Researcharr †
† Arranged with instructor.

The M.S. nonthesis degree in veterinary pathology, with or without an area of specialization, requires a minimum of 40 graduate credits including at least 10 graduate credits earned outside the department. Every nonthesis master’s degree program requires evidence of individual accomplishment demonstrated by completion of a creative component, special report, or scientific study. A minimum of 3 credits of such independent work (V PTH 599 Creative Component Research) and a practical diagnostic examination (V PTH 606 Diagnostic Interpretation) corresponding to the area of specialization are required on every program of study. The final examination is comprehensive and consists of written and oral questions. The departmental requirement for graduate courses includes those for the M.S. thesis degree plus additional courses corresponding to the area of degree emphasis of specialization. Contact the department for a more complete list of requirements and information on areas of specialization.

The Ph.D. degree in veterinary pathology, with or without an area of specialization, requires a minimum of 72 graduate credits including at least 12 graduate credits earned outside the department. The preliminary examination, consisting of written and oral components, is comprehensive and not restricted to the content of graduate courses. The degree candidate must submit a dissertation, including at least two manuscripts suitable for publication, to the committee members and departmental chair at least two weeks prior to the final examination. The final examination is primarily a defense of the dissertation, but it may include questions on other areas of specialized knowledge. The department also offers a combined DVM/Ph.D. program designed for completion of courses for the Ph.D. degree in Veterinary Pathology simultaneously with study in the professional curriculum in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Contact the department for a more complete list of requirements for the Ph.D. degree and information on areas of specialization.

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Courses

Courses primarily for professional curriculum students:

(Dual-listed with V PTH 542). (2-2) Cr. 3. S.

Prereq: First-year classification in veterinary medicine.
Basic pathology with emphasis on disease in animals and introduction to disease by system.

(Cross-listed with BIOL, MICRO). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.

Prereq: BIOL 212
Biology and host-parasite relationships of major groups of animal parasites, and techniques of diagnosing and studying parasites.

(Dual-listed with V PTH 572). (3-3) Cr. 4. F.

Prereq: V PTH 342.
Response to injury by each body system.

(Dual-listed with V PTH 576). (3-3) Cr. 4. F.

Prereq: For V PTH 376, prereq: Second-year classification in veterinary medicine. For V PTH 576, prereq: Graduate classification and V PTH 542.
Parasitic diseases of domestic animals and their control.

(0-4) Cr. 2. F.

Prereq: Second-year classification in veterinary medicine
Clinical applications of the basic sciences taught concurrently in the fall semester of the second year curriculum in veterinary medicine.

(1-0) Cr. 1. F.


Discussion of prefixes, suffixes, and roots (mostly from Latin and Greek) that comprise medical terms.

(Cross-listed with BIOL). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.

Prereq: BIOL 211 and BIOL 212 with labs
Introductory exploration of pathology as a medical discipline. This includes study of disease mechanisms via an introduction to general pathology topics (cell degeneration, necrosis, disturbances of growth, disturbances of blood flow, inflammation, neoplasia) and organ system-specific response to injury.

(0-2) Cr. 1. S.

Prereq: Third-year classification in veterinary medicine
Description, interpretation, and techniques for cellular preparations from tissues and body fluids.

(2-4) Cr. 4. S.

Prereq: V PTH 372
Principles of clinical hematology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis in domestic animals.

Cr. 1. Repeatable.

Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine
Practicum in postmortem examination and diagnosis.

Cr. 1. Repeatable.

Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine
Methodology in clinical chemistry, hematology and cytology; practice in interpretation of laboratory data.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.

Prereq: Permission of instructor and department chair

(2-0) Cr. 1. Repeatable. S.

Prereq: Classification in veterinary medicine
8 weeks. Predeparture orientation for group study abroad. Cultural considerations for the study abroad experience and a conversational language introduction. Out of class work will be assigned. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

Cr. R. S.

Prereq: 4th year classification in Veterinary Medicine
In order to graduate, all 4th year veterinary students are required to complete a checklist of clinical procedures and complete any assigned remediation (based on evaluation in core clinical rotations). These requirements are tied to the college's AVMA COE accreditation, and this course is used to document completion of those requirements. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

Cr. 1-12. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Second-year classification in veterinary medicine
International Preceptorships and Study Abroad Group programs. This course will provide opportunities for students to be involved in applied clinical, production, and/or research experience in international locations. The course consists of 40 hour per week experiential learning opportunities.

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:

(3-0) Cr. 3. S.

Prereq: Graduate classification; permission of instructor
Introductory exploration of pathology as a medical discipline. This includes study of disease mechanisms via an introduction to general pathology topics (cell degeneration, necrosis, disturbances of growth, disturbances of blood flow, inflammation, neoplasia) and organ system-specific response to injury.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered even-numbered years.


Study of principles of teaching and learning as they relate to veterinary medical education. These include: theories of learning, analyzing content/learners/context, identifying goals, identifying appropriate instructional strategies (specific to medical education), matching assessment processes to goals and strategies, common curricular approaches and decision-making processes in medical education, and the scholarship of teaching and learning for veterinary medical educators.

(Dual-listed with V PTH 342). (2-2) Cr. 3. S.

Prereq: First-year classification in veterinary medicine.
Basic pathology with emphasis on disease in animals and introduction to disease by system.

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: V PTH 376 or V PTH 576
Contact hours are (0-3 to 0-9). A laboratory experience in the technical and applied aspects of veterinary parasitology.

(0-3) Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: V PTH 457; permission of instructor
Laboratory procedures and clinical interpretations with emphasis on hematology, cytology, and clinical chemistry. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: V PTH 570 or V PTH 571; permission of instructor
Contact hours are (0-3 to 0-9). Diagnosis of lesions in biopsy specimens; classification of neoplasms. Course includes rotation through departmental biopsy service and review of selected cases from departmental archives. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: V PTH 542; permission of instructor
Contact hours are (0-3 to 0-9). Necropsy techniques of animals with emphasis on gross and microscopic lesions and diagnosis. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

(1-0) Cr. 1. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years.

Prereq: Graduate classification
Ethical conduct in biomedical research, criticism, writing, and adherence to regulations. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

(4-0) Cr. 4. Alt. F., offered even-numbered years.

Prereq: Graduate Classification; V PTH 372 or permission of instructor
Pathology of the respiratory, reproductive, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular systems. Emphasis on pathogenesis and histopathology correlated with interpretive clinical pathology where appropriate.

(4-0) Cr. 4. Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years.

Prereq: Graduate Classification; V PTH 372 or permission of instructor
Pathology of the integumentary, urinary, digestive, lymphoid, and nervous systems and special senses. Emphasis on pathogenesis and histopathology correlated with interpretive clinical pathology where appropriate.

(Dual-listed with V PTH 372). (3-3) Cr. 4. F.

Prereq: V PTH 342.
Response to injury by each body system.

(Dual-listed with V PTH 376). (3-3) Cr. 4. F.

Prereq: For V PTH 376, prereq: Second-year classification in veterinary medicine. For V PTH 576, prereq: Graduate classification and V PTH 542.
Parasitic diseases of domestic animals and their control.

Cr. 1-4. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Permission of instructor

Cr. 1-4. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Permission of instructor

Cr. 1-4. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Permission of instructor

Cr. 1-4. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Permission of instructor

Cr. 1-4. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Permission of instructor

Cr. 1-4. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Permission of instructor

(0-40) Cr. 1-12. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Admission to graduate college
International Preceptorships and Study Abroad Group programs. This course will provide opportunities for students to be involved in applied clinical, production, and/or research experiences in international locations. The course consists of 40 hour per week experiential learning opportunities. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course for departmental graduate research.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course for departmental graduate research.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course for departmental graduate research.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course for departmental graduate research.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course for departmental graduate research.

Courses for graduate students:

Cr. 1-2. Repeatable. F.S.

Prereq: permission of instructor
Description and interpretation of microscopic lesions and clinical pathology data collected from cases of natural and experimental disease. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.SS.


A seminar of graduate research at the time of thesis or dissertation defense.

Cr. R. F.S.SS.

Prereq: permission of instructor
A comprehensive examination in the diagnostic description and interpretation of case materials relevant to veterinary pathology and areas of specialization for the graduate degree preliminary examination.

Cr. R. F.S.SS.

Prereq: permission of instructor
A comprehensive examination in the diagnostic description and interpretation of case materials relevant to veterinary pathology and areas of specialization for the graduate degree preliminary examination.

Cr. R. F.S.SS.

Prereq: permission of instructor
A comprehensive examination in the diagnostic description and interpretation of case materials relevant to veterinary pathology and areas of specialization for the graduate degree preliminary examination.

Cr. R. F.S.SS.

Prereq: permission of instructor
A comprehensive examination in the diagnostic description and interpretation of case materials relevant to veterinary pathology and areas of specialization for the graduate degree preliminary examination.

Cr. R. F.S.SS.

Prereq: permission of instructor
A comprehensive examination in the diagnostic description and interpretation of case materials relevant to veterinary pathology and areas of specialization for the graduate degree preliminary examination.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.

Prereq: Graduate course in biochemistry, genetics, or cell biology
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of cell injury, cellular responses to injury, and inflammation.

(Cross-listed with TOX). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years.

Prereq: Graduate course in biochemistry, genetics, or cell biology
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis.

(Cross-listed with V MPM). (2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.

Prereq: Permission of instructor
Study of current knowledge related to host pathogen interactions during persistent and chronic infections by bacteria, viruses and parasites.

(Cross-listed with IMBIO). (2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.

Prereq: Graduate level Immunology or permission of instructor.
Discuss and define similarities and differences of varied host responses to infectious challenge. Learning will focus on comparative aspects of the host response and the unique aspects of immunity from different organisms, while highlighting molecular and mechanistic similarities of pathogen recognition, response and resolution.

(1-2) Cr. 2.

Prereq: V PTH 570 or V PTH 571; permission of instructor
Study of microscopic lesions in laboratory animals with emphasis on description, etiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course restricted to graduate program within the department.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course restricted to graduate program within the department.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course restricted to graduate program within the department.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course restricted to graduate program within the department.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.


Course restricted to graduate program within the department.