Department of Pathology

Programs of Study

On this page:

Programs | Admissions | Programs Requirements | Faculty

« Graduate & Residency Programs

The Department of Pathology offers a program of study for qualified individuals leading to the Master of Science (MS) in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences with emphasis in pathology or the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Veterinary Pathology. Graduate veterinarians are offered a residency program or a combined residency/PhD program, preparing the student to sit for examination by the board of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP). The residency program is offered in Anatomic or Clinical Pathology. Non-DVM graduate students earn their graduate degrees independent of the residency.

« Admissions Requirements

Entrance into any of these programs is competitive based on grades and test scores as well as availability of funding. Prospective students should have good background in biology, animal science, veterinary medicine (DVMs seeking admission into our program) or related area. Minimum requirements for Graduate School admission are:

M.S.

GRE > 900
GPA > 3.0

PhD

GRE > 1000
GPA > 3.0

See the individual programs for more information including application information.

« Programs Requirements

Our graduate students are required to take a set of demanding courses offered by the Department of Pathology, by other departments in the CVM, and by the University of Georgia.

In this section:

Masters of Science | Doctoral | Residents

« Requirements for the Master of Science Degree

University requirements:

Students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours consisting of at least 12 semester hours of course work open only to graduate students (exclusive of 7000 and 7300). A maximum of 6 hours of research (VPAT 7000) and 3 hours of thesis (VPAT 7300) may be applied toward the 30 hours. Students must maintain a 'B' average (3.0), and no grade below 'C' can appear on the Program of Study. Students have to write and defend a thesis wherein they present the results of their research project.

Additional Department of Pathology requirements:

Cell Pathology (VPAT8020) or equivalent course as decided by Advisory Committee, and 2 research presentations (VPAT 8140).

Students interested in the MS program should apply to the CVM program.

« Requirements for Doctoral Students

University requirements:

Students must complete a minimum of 3 full years of study beyond the bachelor's degree; and a Program of Study approved by Advisory Committee consisting of a minimum of 30 hours of course work, 3 hours of which must be dissertation writing (VPAT 9300), 16 or more hours of 8000- and 9000-level courses in addition to research, dissertation writing, and directed study. Students must maintain a 'B' average (3.0), and no grade below 'C' can appear on the Program of Study. Students also have to pass written and oral preliminary exams, get approval of their dissertation prospectus, write and defend a dissertation wherein they present the results of their research project.

Additional Department of Pathology requirements:

A two-semester graduate sequence in biochemistry. Several options are available: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I and II: BCMB 6010 (Fall Semester) and BCMB 6020 (Spring Semester); and Molecular Cell Biology CBIO 8010; OR for more advanced sequence for those with more background in biochemistry: Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I and II: BCMB 8010 (Fall Semester) and 8020 (Spring Semester).

Cell Pathology (VPAT 8020)

Statitics: The most commonly taken sequence is Statistical Methods I and II (STAT 6210 and 6220). More advanced students also have other choices such as Statistical Analysis I and II (STAT 6310 and 6320), Design of Experiments for Research Workers (STAT 8200), or Clinical Trials (8220). They must also complete

Presentation of 2 research seminars (VPAT 8140) is required as well.

Students interested in our PhD or combined residency/PhD program should apply to our PhD program through the Graduate School.

« Requirements for Residents

Residents have to take additional courses relevant to their training in diagnostic pathology. They also must spend time rotating through several service rotations to become well versed in the various areas of diagnostic pathology, and as preparation for the ACVP Board examination. Residents actively participate in seminars, pathology rounds, and teaching of veterinary students and junior residents in order to acquire good communication skills with fellow pathologists, clinicians and the general public.

Graduate veterinarians interested in our residency-only program nshould apply to our non-degree certificate program through the Graduate School.

In this subsection:

Anatomic Pathology | Clinical Pathology | Stipends & Maintenance | Relationships & Facilities

« Anatomic Pathology

Programs Offered

We offer both a combined residency/graduate program and a non-degree residency program, the availability of which varies from year to year (See ACVP web site for specific postings). The residency program is 3 years in duration, while the typical combined program lasts 5 years. Both programs are designed to meet eligibility requirements for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. We currently have twelve anatomic pathology residents/graduate students and expect an opening for a resident in July 2011.

Courses Offered

ACVP board preparatory courses offered in this program include:

• Microscopic Pathology
• Veterinary Pathology
• Avian Pathology
• Diagnostic Oncology
• Cellular Pathology
• Pathology of Laboratory Animals
• Histopathology Seminar

Less formal preparatory sessions, such as Gross Review, Journal Clubs, and AFIP slide review, are also routinely offered by the faculty. Residents are also required to rotate through the Clinical Pathology and Ophthalmologic Pathology Services.

Diagnostic Service

The primary sources of case material supporting the residency training program are the College's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory necropsy service, and the Department's mail-in service. These three sources account for about 1500 necropsy and 2000 biopsy cases annually. Additionally, the training program is supplemented by case material from a number of other sources (see "Relationships and Facilities"). The breadth of case material available to residents insures that they receive a robust experience in surgical and diagnostic pathology in a wide variety of species including companion animals, livestock, poultry, pet birds, pocket pets, laboratory animals, exotic animals, marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates. Residents are required to perform 24 weeks of necropsy duty and 27 weeks of biopsy duty over the course of their program. While on duty, residents work closely with faculty pathologists in performing necropsies and conducting histopathologic evaluations of necropsy and biopsy specimens. Twenty-one anatomic pathologists and 5 clinical pathologists, including those with special interests in wildlife, aquatics, exotic animals and poultry are involved in instruction of residents throughout the program. All 5 of the clinical pathologists on faculty are members of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and 14 of the anatomic pathologists are members of the college. Several faculty members are certified in other branches of pathology, including fish pathology, poultry medicine and medical pathology.

Teaching, Presentations, and Publications

Residents are required to teach sophomore veterinary students in General Pathology and Systemic Pathology laboratory sessions for at least 2 semesters. Yearly presentations in the Histopathology Seminar series and at the Southeastern Veterinary Pathologist Conference at Tifton, GA, are also required. Residents are also highly encouraged to present at the ACVP or AAVLD conferences as well. At least one case report or other publication is also expected before the end of the residency program. UGA is also home to Noah's Arkive, which residents actively help to maintain.

« Clinical Pathology

Programs Offered

 We offer a non-degree residency program that is 3 years in duration and is designed to meet the eligibility requirements for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Combined clinical pathology residency/graduate programs are also intermittently available. Interested applicants must possess a DVM or equivalent degree and provide evidence of academic strength and interest in clinical pathology. A preference is given to candidates with one or more years of post-doctoral clinical experience or who have completed an internship. Residents are directly supervised by two board-certified clinical pathologists. Three additional board-certified clinical pathologists and 21 anatomic pathologists, including those with special interests in wildlife, aquatics, exotic animals and poultry are also involved in instruction of residents throughout the program. We currently have one third-year resident and one first-year resident. The clinical pathology program has an outstanding pass rate for the ACVP Board Certification exam.

Courses Offered

Formal course work throughout the residency is offered as additional preparation for the ACVP certifying examination in clinical pathology (see anatomic pathology course list). Additional courses completed by previous clinical pathology residents include:

• Advanced Hematology
• Advanced Biochemistry
• Immunology

Residents are also encouraged to attend less formal sessions within the clinical pathology department (cytology rounds, journal clubs) as well as those offered in the anatomic pathology, medicine and oncology departments.

Diagnostic Service

The residency involves intensive training in all aspects of veterinary clinical pathology, including hematology, clinical chemistry and cytology. This program is unique in that it incorporates formal instruction on surgical biopsy as well. Residents are expected to complete an average of 24 weeks of clinical duty per year with additional time spent learning laboratory instrumentation and quality control practices. Clinical duty responsibilities include providing cytology service, reviewing blood smears and hematology data, interpreting clinical chemistry data and interacting with clinicians and students. The primary source of material is the College's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, but mail-in cases from private practitioners are also received. The active exotic, avian and wildlife services within this area allow our residents to become adept at interpreting material from a vast array of species, although submissions from traditional species are the most common.

Teaching, Presentations, and Publications

Residents have the opportunity to teach sophomore veterinary students in the Clinical Pathology didactic course, and they participate in the teaching of the senior veterinary student clinical pathology rotation. These courses enable the resident to develop teaching skills in lecture-based, laboratory and small-group formats. Active participation in college seminars and at least one presentation at a national meeting (such as ACVP, AAVLD or ACVIM) are required for successful completion of the residency. Additional requirements include the development and completion of a residency research project and submission of a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Attendance and presentation at regional meetings such as the Southeastern Veterinary Pathologist Conference at Tifton, GA are also encouraged.

« Stipends and Maintenance

The College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Pathology currently provides stipends, starting at $29,175, for seven pathology graduate students and residents, including two in the aquatic animal pathology program. There are an additional 8 pathology residents/graduate students supported by a variety of sources including government grants and pharmaceutical companies.

« Relationships and Facilities

The Department of Pathology is affiliated with Georgia's two veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Athens and Tifton and has close relationships with pathologists, clinical veterinarians and other scientists in the other academic departments in the college and with scientists at the Southeast Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, the Georgia Aquarium, the Department of Small Animal Medicine's Infectious Disease Laboratory (exotic animals), the UGA Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service Laboratory, the USDA-ARS Southeastern Poultry Research Laboratory, the CDC, Yerkes Primate Center, Merial Animal Health, and Zoo Atlanta. Pathologists from a number of these units are adjunct faculty within the department and participate actively in seminar and various research and training activities. The Department maintains necropsy, histopathology, clinical pathology, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy services. The College maintains central facilities for flow cytometry, confocal and immunofluorescence microscopy, laboratory animal medicine, monoclonal and polyclonal antibody production and analysis. The University provides central facilities for molecular genetics and proteomic analysis.

« Faculty

Faculty members in the department include veterinary clinical pathologists, veterinary anatomic pathologists, and a human pathologist. See Areas of Expertise and individual faculty pages for research descriptions.

 

Last Updated February 01, 2010.

Contact Us

Department Office

Department of Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Georgia
501 D.W. Brooks Drive
Athens, GA 30602-7388
Phone: 706.542.5837
Fax: 706.542.5828

Amanda Crawford, Business Manager II
E-mail: acrawfor@uga.edu
Phone: 706.542.5829

Megan Troutman, Administrative Associate II
E-mail: myar18@uga.edu
Phone: 706.542.5837

Christy Morris, Administrative Specialist I
E-mail: cpmorris@uga.edu
Phone: 706.583.0340

Graduate Coordinator

Dr. Jaroslava Halper
Email: jhalper@uga.edu
Phone: 706.542.5830

Residency Coordinators

Dr. Elizabeth W. Howerth
Anatomic Pathology Residency Coordinator
Email: howerth@uga.edu
Phone: 706.542.5833

Dr. Bridget Garner
Clinical Pathology Residency Coordinator
Email: garnerb@uga.edu
Phone: 706.542.5847

Related Links

Choosing a Veterinary Career

UGA Bulletin (Course Catalog)