Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Curriculum

DRVM 712V

Anatomy and Physiology I

4.5

Structure and function of organ systems of domestic animals at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels, using a systems-based approach. Clinically relevant context of normal anatomy and physiology, including how alterations of normal are principal drivers for most pathophysiological processes.

DRVM 7114

Anatomy and Physiology II

4.0

Builds on Anatomy and Physiology I. Extends systems-based approach to additional body systems. Continues to provide clinically relevant context of normal anatomy and physiology, including how alterations of normal are principal drivers for most pathophysiological processes.

DRVM 7132

Veterinary Foundations I

2.0

Foundations of animals and professionals in veterinary medicine, including animal husbandry, behavior, human-animal bond, animal welfare, ethical considerations regarding use of animals in research, role of animals in human psychosocial health, importance of work-life balance, and professional organizations.

DRVM 7141

Clinical Skills I

1.0

Hands-on restraint and physical examinations across veterinary species using models and live animals. Includes animal handling, basic physical examinations, basic surgical, and procedural skills.

DRVM 711V

Becoming a Veterinary Professional I

1.5

Basic communication and its importance in veterinary medicine. Includes basic financial literacy, concepts of giving and receiving feedback professionally, and interpersonal skills development. Introduction to medical records.

DRVM 7151

Veterinary Medical Science

1.0

General medical knowledge foundation required of a veterinarian, including medical terminology (nomenclature), medical math, and medical physics.

DRVM 7131

Gathering Evidence and Clinical Decision Making I

1.0

Fundamentals of the scientific approach emphasizing how to derive and interpret information needed for evidence-based decision making. Introduces clinical reasoning using a case-based approach, including integration of information from client history, patient examination and other sources to identify problems.

DRVM 7152

Veterinary Immunology

2.0

Current concepts in basic and clinical immunology with emphasis on protective immunity against infectious diseases and the role of aberrant immune responses in disease.

Total Credits Year 1 Fall Semester

17.0

DRVM 7124

Anatomy and Physiology III

4.0

Builds on Anatomy and Physiology I and II. Expands on the systems and animal species being taught. Continues to provide clinically relevant context of normal anatomy and physiology, including how alterations of normal are principal drivers for most pathophysiological processes.

DRVM 718V

Anatomy and Physiology IV

3.5

Builds on Anatomy and Physiology I II, and III. Expands on the systems and species being taught. Further provides clinically relevant context of normal anatomy and physiology, including how alterations of normal are principal drivers for most pathophysiological processes.

DRVM 713V

Becoming a Veterinary Professional II

1.5

Building on Becoming a Veterinary Professional I, communication and professional skills, including basic communication, financial literacy, concepts of professional identity, professional ethics and jurisprudence, giving and receiving feedback professionally, and interpersonal skills. 

DRVM 7181

Gathering Evidence and Clinical Decision-Making II

1.0

Builds on Gathering Evidence and Clinical Decision-Making I. A case-based approach to integration of information from a variety of sources to identify and approach problems.  Focuses on development of a problem list and fundamentals of diagnostic testing.

DRVM 7123

Veterinary Parasitology

3.0

Study of parasite identification, life cycles, diseases, treatment, and control of parasites of animals, with laboratory training in diagnostic and identification techniques.

DRVM 717V

Veterinary Virology

1.5

Study of viral diseases of animals, including pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, and principles of prevention and control.

DRVM714V

Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology 

2.5

Study of bacterial and fungal diseases of animals, including pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and principles of prevention and control.

DRVM 7171

Clinical Skills II

1.0

 Builds on Clinical Skills I. Expands physical examination skills, and basic diagnostic and surgical skills using models and live animals. Foundations of specific equipment including anesthetic machine and ultrasonographic/radiographic imaging equipment. Introduces vaccine handling, IV fluids, and hoof care.

Total Credits Year 1 Spring Semester

18.0

DRVM 7213

Veterinary Pathology I

3.0

General principles of pathology relevant to all organ systems. Specific pathology using a systems basis for domestic animals of veterinary importance. Methods of carcass disposal (biosecurity).

DRVM 7223

Clinical Pathology

3.0

Clinical pathology of disease, including selection and interpretation of clinical pathological tests.  Integration of laboratory data to inform differential diagnosis lists and next steps in patient diagnosis and management.

DRVM 723V

Becoming a Veterinary Professional III 

1.5

Builds on Becoming a Veterinary Professional I and II. Additional skills pertaining to client communication, incorporating spectrum of care and cultural contexts, conflict management, financial literacy, case referral, and becoming a professional (e.g., career exposure).

DRVM 7283

Veterinary Foundations II

3.0

Distribution, diagnosis, and control of zoonotic/transboundary diseases. Disease interrelatedness between individual and population, human/animal health, and environment. Principles of One Health and food safety. Completing regulatory certification and prescription writing.

DRVM 7252

Clinical Decision Making: Organ Dysfunction I

2.0

Builds on Gathering Evidence and Clinical Decision Making I and II.  Critical thinking, communication, resource identification, evaluation, and clinical decision making.  Focuses on diagnostic test selection and differential diagnosis prioritization, incorporating spectrum of care.

DRVM 7241

Clinical Skills III

1.0

Builds on Clinical Skills I and II.  Using both models and live animals, continues to strengthen and broaden veterinary examination skills, anesthesia and surgical skills, bandaging, and introduces more diagnostic skills (including imaging, palpation, & dentistry).

DRVM 7253

Diagnostic Imaging

3.0

Methods of image generation and fundamentals of image interpretation, including both normal and diseased animals. Emphasis on radiography and ultrasonography; includes computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and scintigraphy. Application of diagnostic imaging to case scenarios.

DRVM 722V

Animal Populations I

1.5

Principles of preventive care and the diagnosis and management of diseases in groups of animals. Foundations of epidemiology, including disease surveillance and application of diagnostic tests to animal populations.

Total Credits Year 2 Fall Semester

18.0

DRVM 7243

Veterinary Pathology II

3.0

Extends learning of systems-based organ-specific pathology. Pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for disease. Appropriate diagnostic tests for various diseases and how to interpret results. Methods of carcass disposal (biosecurity).

DRVM 7222

Veterinary Nutrition

2.0

Companion animal, equine, livestock, and exotic animal nutrition, including digestion, assimilation and metabolism of nutrients, nutrient analysis of food, ration formulation, and the interaction between nutrition and disease.

DRVM 7242

Toxicology

2.0

Introduction to the principles of toxicology with relevance to domestic animal species. Basic principles of toxin exposure and decontamination, including how to locate toxicological information.

DRVM 727V

Clinical Skills IV

1.5

Builds on Clinical Skills I-III.  Using both models and live animals, expands diagnostic examination skills, surgical and anesthesia training, and veterinary procedures across domestic animal species.

DRVM 7262

Principles of Veterinary Surgery

2.0

Principles of surgery, including basic surgical instruments, suture material, suturing, wound healing, and bandaging.

DRVM 7282

Anesthesia & Analgesia

2.0

Foundational principles of anesthesia, pain, and pain management. Application of anesthesia and analgesia to clinical cases (e.g. healthy animals undergoing anesthesia for elective surgery).

DRVM 724V

Animal Populations II

1.5

Builds on Animal Populations I. Diagnostic investigation of population disease and disease outbreaks.  Applies epidemiologic principles to management of disease outbreaks.

DRVM 7272

Clinical Decision Making: Organ Dysfunction II

2.0

Builds on Clinical Decision Making: Organ Dysfunction I. Critical thinking, communication, resource identification, evaluation, and clinical decision making.  Focuses on diagnostic testing selection and differential diagnosis prioritization, incorporating spectrum of care.

DRVM 7232

Veterinary Foundations III

2.0

Husbandry and welfare of domestic and exotic animal species and their inter-relatedness as affects health and disease. Identification of animal neglect or mistreatment.

DRVM 725V

Becoming a Veterinary Professional IV

1.5

Builds on Becoming a Veterinary Professional I, II & III.  Teamwork skills and professional identity. Identification of workplace hazards and how they are addressed. Communication skills, including approaches to sharing bad news.

Total Credits Year 2 Spring Semester

19.5

DRVM 7312

Small Animal Surgery

2.0

Diagnosis, management, prevention and prognosis of common canine and feline surgical diseases and disorders, including lameness.

DRVM 7382

Veterinary Pharmacology I

2.0

Fundamentals of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.  Classes of drugs used for common diseases, including indications and adverse effects. Introduction of antimicrobial stewardship.  Application of principles of drug use for common diseases in a systems-based approach.

DRVM 7322

Theriogenology

2.0

Diagnosis, management, prevention and prognosis of common reproductive disorders of domestic and exotic animal species. Normal estrous cycles, breeding management, pregnancy, dystocia management and parturition in domestic animal species.

DRVM 7313

Small Animal Medicine I

3.0

Diagnosis, management, prognosis and prevention of common canine and feline medical diseases and disorders.

DRVM 7352

Equine Medicine & Surgery I

2.0

Diagnosis, management, prognosis and prevention of common disorders of horses.

DRVM 734V

Clinical Skills V

2.5

Builds on Clinical Skills I-IV.  Advanced clinical skills of domestic species.  Anesthesia and common surgical procedures on small animals, including pre-operative and post-operative care.

DRVM 7333

Livestock Medicine & Surgery I

3.0

Diagnosis, management, prognosis and prevention of medical and surgical disease of livestock (bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine, camelid).

DRVM 735V

Becoming a Veterinary Professional V

1.5

Builds on Becoming a Veterinary Professional I-IV.  Advanced training in communication, conflict management, team dynamics and euthanasia and medical records. Professional ethics. Introduction to veterinary practice business models (e.g., corporate and private practice). Contract negotiation. Introduction to the clinical year.

DRVM 736V

Clinical Decision Making: Patient Management I

1.5

Builds on Clinical Decision Making: Organ Dysfunction I and II. Critical thinking, communication, resource identification, evaluation, and clinical decision making.  Focuses on treatment selection (including empirical treatment) and patient triage, incorporating spectrum of care.

Total Credits Year 3 Fall Semester

19.5

DRVM 7351

Avian & Exotic Animal Medicine

1.0

Disorders of small mammals, avian, reptilian, and other exotic species. Husbandry and approach to diagnosis and management of common diseases.

DRVM 7343

Livestock Medicine & Surgery II

3.0

Builds on Livestock Medicine and Surgery I.  Diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention of medical and surgical disease of livestock species.

DRVM 737V

Clinical Skills VI

2.5

Builds on Clinical Skills I-V.  Advanced clinical skills of domestic species using models, specimens, and live animals. Perform dental extraction, soft tissue surgical techniques and emergency procedures, and basic large animal surgeries (e.g., castration, dehorning). 

DRVM 7363

Equine Medicine & Surgery II

3.0

Builds on Equine Medicine & Surgery I. Diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment, and prognosis of common disorders of horses

DRVM 7324

Small Animal Medicine II

4.0

Builds on Small Animal Medicine I.  Diagnosis, management, prognosis and prevention of common canine and feline medical diseases and disorders.

DRVM 739V

Becoming a Veterinary Professional VI

1.5

Builds on Becoming a Veterinary Professional I-V. Basic veterinary business principles (fee setting, creating estimates). Regulatory elements of drug management (e.g., controlled drugs, extra-label drug use). Orientation to clinical year.

DRVM 7392

Veterinary Pharmacology II

2.0

Builds on Veterinary Pharmacology I.  Applies principles of drug use for common diseases in a systems-based approach.  

DRVM 738V

Clinical Decision Making: Patient Management II

1.5

Builds on Clinical Decision Making: Patient Management I Critical thinking, communication, resource identification, evaluation, and clinical decision making.  Focuses on treatment selection (including empirical treatment, triage, and end of life care), incorporating spectrum of care.

Total Credits Year 3 Spring Semester

18.5

DRVM 7462

CR-Transition to Clinics

2.0

Jonesboro

On-campus faculty-supervised advanced clinical skills (diagnostic and surgical) and professional skills to facilitate successful entry into community-based rotations.

DRVM 741V

CR-Small Animal General Practice

2.0-6.0

Arkansas or Nationwide

Supervised clinical instruction in a selected, pre-approved, high-quality, small animal general practice (canine, feline, pocket pets) with a wide variety of medical, surgical, and dental cases.

DRVM 7432

CR-Specialty Practice

2.0

Arkansas or Nationwide

Supervised clinical instruction in a selected, high quality, specialty practice (canine, feline, lab animal, exotic, zoological, equine and/or large animal). Instruction will take place in practices with board certified specialists (e.g., internists, radiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, or other specialists).

DRVM 7452

CR-Career Specialty Emphasis

3.0

Arkansas or Nationwide

Supervised clinical instruction in a selected, high quality, specialty practice with resident(s) and/or interns in the student’s career area of interest.

DRVM 7412

CR-Diagnostic Veterinary Medicine

2.0

Arkansas

Supervised clinical and diagnostic pathology instruction in a selected, pre-approved, high-quality, diagnostic pathology lab, inclusive of necropsy. with a diverse array of veterinary species.

DRVM 7442

CR-Large Animal

2.0

Arkansas or Nationwide

Supervised clinical instruction in a selected, pre-approved, high-quality, large (or mixed) animal general practice.  Clinical experience will focus on diagnosis, management, and prevention of disorders of large animals (livestock or horses).

DRVM 7422

Clinical Diagnostic Imaging

2.0

Jonesboro

Performance of diagnostic imaging (radiology and ultrasound) techniques.  Interpretation of diagnostic images, with a focus on radiographs and ultrasound.  Some integration of more advanced techniques (e.g., MRI and CT).

DRVM 745V

CRE-Clinical Elective

2.0-4.0

Arkansas or Nationwide

Supervised clinical instruction in a selected, pre-approved, high-quality, practice of student preference. 

DRVM 746V

CRE-Clinical Externship

2.0-4.0

Arkansas or Nationwide

Supervised clinical instruction in a student-selected practice.

DRVM 7430

NAVLE Preparation and Administration

0.0

Jonesboro

Study skills and topical review in preparation for the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE®).

DRVM 7472

CR-Small Animal Emergency and Intensive Care

2.0

Jonesboro

Supervised clinical instruction in a selected, pre-approved, high-quality small animal emergency practice (canine, feline, pocket pets). Clinical focus is emergency and intensive care cases.

DRVM 7451

Assessment of Clinical Year

1.0

Jonesboro

 Last rotation on campus and will include grand rounds presentations, financial aid repayment options, completion of surveys and feedback regarding clinical rotations, and preparation for entry into veterinary practice.

Total Credits Year 4 Clinical Rotation Credits

Minimum 42.0