Teaching Focus

Students are offered courses that provide a framework of fact and theory on which they can build. Course subjects include macroscopic anatomy, microscopic anatomy, neuroanatomy, neurobiology, embryology, developmental biology, genetics, cell biology, ultrastructural anatomy, epidemiology, food safety, food toxicology, public health concepts, and comparative medicine.

The department has a long history of high-quality instruction as evidenced by the very numerous teaching awards that faculty have won at both the university and national levels, as well as the teaching and research awards their graduate students have won.

The curriculum for graduate students is broadly designed to meet the needs of the individual student. Faculty members believe that graduate students should be reasonably proficient in all areas of anatomy or public health. The degree plan of each graduate student is formulated with this in mind.

Learning Environment

Texas A&M is one of the world's major research universities, and VIBS operates in that tradition. Our flexible programs are easily tailored to each student's aptitudes, skills, needs, and career aspirations. We provide graduate students with the opportunity to obtain a comprehensive education in biomedical sciences with areas of emphasis in neuroscience, reproductive biology, mammalian genetics, cellular and molecular toxicology, veterinary epidemiology and public health, and to focus their training on state-of-the-art scientific research. Young scientists who wish to pursue detailed and focused research, while at the same time having the base to realize the broader, whole-animal significance, will be the most productive in advancing the use of their findings toward benefits to humans and animals.

We strive to create a collegial atmosphere among professionals, which includes graduate students. Students are encouraged and expected to interact freely with fellow students and faculty, including faculty who are not on a given student's official committee. In addition to the help provided by the official graduate committee, all faculty are available for counseling and technical assistance. Students are encouraged to participate in the graduate student organizations of the College of Veterinary Medicine and of the University at large. While the graduate student's main goal should be to obtain a quality graduate education and the departmental goal is to provide the student with opportunities to do so, we must not forget to take the time to learn from each other.

Student suggestions and ideas for improvement are always welcome. Graduate students are considered an important part of the departmental team and are encouraged to voice creative ideas for the improvement of departmental teaching and research programs. Graduate students also are encouraged to attend and participate in faculty meetings.