Veterinary Pathology

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This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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. 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 551	Postmortem Pathology Laboratory	1
V PTH 570	Systemic Pathology I	4
or V PTH 571	Systemic Pathology II
STAT 587	Statistical Methods for Research Workers	4
V PTH 605	Current Topics Seminar	1
V PTH 699	Research	arr †
† 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:

V PTH 342: Anatomic Pathology I

(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.

V PTH 353: Introductory Parasitology

(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.

V PTH 372: Anatomic Pathology II

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

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

V PTH 376: Veterinary Parasitology

(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.

V PTH 377: Case Study III

(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.

V PTH 401: Basics of Medical Terminology

(1-0) Cr. 1. F.

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

V PTH 402: Introduction to Pathology

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

Prereq: BIOL 211; BIOL 211L; BIOL 212; BIOL 212L
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.

V PTH 409: Introduction to Veterinary Cytology and Laboratory Techniques

(0-2) Cr. 1. S.

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

V PTH 425: Clinical Pathology

(2-4) Cr. 4. S.

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

V PTH 456: Necropsy Laboratory Practicum

Cr. 1. Repeatable.

Prereq: Vet Med 4 classification
Practicum in postmortem examination and diagnosis.

V PTH 457: Clinical Pathology Laboratory Practicum

Cr. 1. Repeatable.

Prereq: Vet Med 4 classification
Methodology in clinical chemistry, hematology and cytology; practice in interpretation of laboratory data.

V PTH 490: Independent Study

Cr. arr. Repeatable.

Prereq: Permission of Instructor; Permission of Department Chair

V PTH 492: Orientation for International Experience

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

Prereq: Vet Med classification
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.

V PTH 495: Clinical Competency Skills Checklist/Remediation

Cr. R. S.

Prereq: Vet Med 4 classification
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.

V PTH 496: International Experience

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

Prereq: Second-year classification in veterinary medicine
International Preceptorships and Study Abroad Group programs. 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:

V PTH 503: Principles of Pathology

(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.

V PTH 530: Teaching and Learning in Veterinary Medical Education

(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.

V PTH 542: Anatomic Pathology I

(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.

V PTH 548: Diagnostic Parasitology Laboratory

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.

V PTH 549: Clinical Pathology Laboratory

(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.

V PTH 550: Surgical Pathology Laboratory

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.

V PTH 551: Postmortem Pathology Laboratory

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.

V PTH 554: Ethics in Scientific Research and Writing

(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.

V PTH 570: Systemic Pathology I

(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. DVM degree required.

V PTH 571: Systemic Pathology II

(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. DVM degree required.

V PTH 572: Anatomic Pathology II

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

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

V PTH 576: Veterinary Parasitology

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

V PTH 590: Special Topics

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