skip to content

Academic Programs

Graduate Programs in Morphologic Pathology

PROGRAMS OFFERED

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science is the center of veterinary science on the Storrs campus. It consists of several units, including Pathology, Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Bacteriology, Wildlife Diseases, Microchemistry, and Extension. The department is responsible for teaching, research and extension programs concerning infectious, metabolic and toxic diseases of agricultural animals, companion animals, laboratory animals, pet birds, poultry and wildlife. The department houses the Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the Northeastern Research Center for Wildlife Diseases. The general mission of the department involves the study of disease processes that affect animals and man. This includes infectious, toxic, metabolic, and neoplastic diseases of farm animals, pets, poultry, wildlife and diseases that affect public health and food safety.

A combined morphologic pathology and Ph.D. program is available. Graduate students spend their first years concentrating on morphologic pathology and specific course work related to their graduate research program. Trainees in Pathology receive a broad based morphologic pathology experience and are exposed to diseases of domestic animals, wildlife, poultry, and aquatic species. Trainees are supervised by Board Certified Veterinary Pathologists. Weekly gross pathology and histopathology seminars are held. Students have access to the departmental archives which contain a large and extensive collection of material. Students have access to a large variety of seminars both on the Storrs campus and at the Medical School Campus in Farmington. Students are expected to register in the Graduate School and be enrolled in a Ph.D. program. Collaborative opportunities exist with the United States Department of Agriculture, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, School of Pharmacy Center for Biochemical Toxicology, and the New England Regional Primate Center.

GUIDELINES FOR Ph.D PROGRAM

All Ph.D. degrees are granted in Pathobiology with areas of concentration in bacteriology, pathology and virology. All programs must be completed within eight years with the student maintaining continuous registration. Your graduate committee should consist of a major advisor who is a member of the Graduate School and a member of the department, a minimum three associate advisors should be identified who compliment the area of anticipated research interest. This committee should be formed within the first six months of the student's arrival to assist with course planning. The student should have frequent committee meetings to discuss research and academic progress (once per semester). A Plan of Study should be submitted prior to completing twelve credits of course work. Students will give at least three seminar presentations during their tenure (prospectus seminar, near midpoint of their research and dissertation defense). The General Exam should be taken within one semester after completing course work. A research prospectus written in the form of an NIH grant proposal and presented in the form of a seminar should be completed within six months of passing the general exam. After the formal seminar, faculty and committee members discuss the research proposal. Students should submit at least one paper for publication before their dissertation. The

student must present at a research seminar and defend the their dissertation publicly. The faculty and committee discuss the research. Approval of the dissertation rests with the graduate committee.

FACILITIES

Pathobiology houses the Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory which is equipped with a fully functioning mammalian and avian necropsy laboratory, histology laboratory, diagnostic microbiology, virology, serology laboratories and also houses the Northeastern Research Center for Wildlife Diseases and the Microchemistry Research Laboratory. Our facilities include an excellent animal care laboratory with a surgical suite and a research farm. The department is located in the science complex close to the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and the University Biotechnology Center. Within the Biotechnology Center there are facilities for macromolecular characterization, animal cell culture, image analysis, and transgenic animal production. Collaborative programs are ongoing with the Department of Animal Science, Department of Nutritional Sciences, and the School of Pharmacy Center for Biochemical Toxicology.

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science has an active seminar series and invites outstanding investigators to present their research and interact with students and faculty.

The Homer Babbidge Library at Storrs provides seating for 3,000 readers and space for 3 million volumes. The building contains the major portion of the University's book collection, housing 2 million volumes of the system's total of 2.7 million. More than 3.7 million items are available in microtext. Current serial and periodical subscriptions total 18,615.

We also have a smaller library located in the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science with journals and texts that relate specifically to the research, diagnostic and teaching of pathology.

COMMUNITY

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science is in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. The department is housed in three interconnected buildings in the heart of the University of Connecticut science complex with close proximity to the Biotechnology Center, Computer Center and Library.

The University of Connecticut grew out of the Storrs Agricultural School, which was founded in 1881 as a direct result of the gift of land, money, and buildings presented to the Connecticut General Assembly by Charles and Augustus Storrs of Mansfield. Master's degree study was offered in 1920. The Graduate School was established officially in 1939, and the University conferred its first Ph.D. a decade later.

Most graduate degree programs offered by the University are located at the Storrs campus, which is 25 miles northeast of Hartford. Storrs is a scenic, rural area. Programs in biomedical sciences and the marine sciences are also offered at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington (near Hartford) and at the Marine Sciences Institute at Avery Point (on Long Island Sound).

Approximately 6,500 students are enrolled in graduate degree programs. About 2,500 are working toward doctoral degrees.
 
 

STIPENDS AND FUNDING

The current stipend is $18,818.00. Graduate assistantships are supported by research grants and departmental funds.
 

APPLICATIONS

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree is required for this program. Post graduate clinical experience is desirable, but not required Applicants must apply for admission (admission form, GRE's, and transcripts) to the graduate school at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Departmental Deadline for submission is February 15. Letters of reference and TOEFL (where applicable) should be sent directly to the department. Notification of Acceptance is mid March. Receipt of completed applications after the above deadline will be reviewed with notification of acceptance following approximately 8 weeks later.

For information, contact:

Maria Chartier
Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science
The University of Connecticut
61 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3089
Storrs, CT 06269-3089

Phone: (860) 486-3736
Fax: (860) 486-2794
EMAIL:  pathobiology@uconn.edu