The professional curriculum is a four-year sequence of courses completed at the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Oregon Humane Society. With some opportunity for electives, a series of required sequential courses are taken during the first three years.
For the final year, the students move into a block system. In general, these blocks are two to four weeks long and cover a single subject. In addition, elective blocks, ranging from one to four weeks, are offered in specific areas of interest. Electives may also be taken at other universities.
Year 1:
Veterinary Medicine Orientation
Introduction to Animal Care
Veterinary Gross Anatomy
Veterinary Immunology
Veterinary Integrated Problem Solving
Veterinary Microscopic Anatomy
Veterinary Neurosciences
Veterinary Pathology
Veterinary Physiology
Year 2:
Diagnostic Imaging
General Medicine
Principles of Anesthesia
Principles of Surgery
Systemic Pathology
Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology
Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Veterinary Epidemiology
Veterinary Integrated Problem Solving
Veterinary Medical Ethics
Veterinary Medicine and Public Health
Veterinary Parasitology
Veterinary Pharmacology
Veterinary Toxicology
Veterinary Virology
Year 3:
Animal Behavior
Communications for Veterinarians
Large Animal Medicine
Large Animal Surgery/Lab
Practice Management
Small Animal Medicine
Small Animal Surgery/Lab
Special Animal Medicine
Theriogenology
Third-year Clinics
Year 4:
The fourth year of the program encompasses the calendar year from June (immediately following the end of the third year) to May of the next year. During this time, the following clinical blocks must be completed.
Required Blocks:
Anesthesiology I
Clinical Imaging I
Clinical Large Animal Medicine I
Clinical Large Animal Surgery I
Clinical Small Animal Medicine I
Clinical Small Animal Surgery I
Diagnostic Services
Large Animal Emergency
Rural Veterinary Practice I
Shelter Medicine
Small Animal Emergency
Small Animal Primary Care at Oregon Humane Society
Veterinary Medical Preceptorship
The following blocks are available for students interested in pursuing specific areas of interest.
Elective Blocks:
Advanced Clinical Cardiology
Advanced Equine Lameness
Advanced Equine Reproduction*
Advanced Histopathology
Advanced Small Animal Surgery
Analgesia in Animals*
Basic Histopathology*
Caine Center Food Animal Medicine
Camelid Medicine and Surgery
Cattle Production Medicine
Clinical Cardiology
Clinical Large Animal Medicine II
Clinical Large Animal Surgery II
Clinical Oncology
Clinical Small Animal Surgery II
Equine Dentistry
Equine Nutrition
Lab Animal/Primate Medicine and Surgery
Large Animal Gastrointestinal Surgery
Large Animal Palpation
Ornamental Fish Medicine
Pet Birds and Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery
Pet Practice (Banfield)
Ruminant Nutrition
Rural Veterinary Practice II
Sheep and Goat Medicine and Surgery
Small Animal Clinical Medicine II
Small Animal Clinical Nutrition*
Small Animal Emergency Care (Dove Lewis)
Small Animal Theriogenology
Veterinary Anesthesiology II
Wildlife Medicine (Wildlife Safari)
* These blocks can be taken during the third year.
Other Blocks:
Time may be available for additional preceptorships or elective courses or vacation, depending on the number of electives taken during the third year. Students may, by special arrangement, attend other university courses during fall, winter or spring terms.
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