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CornellCombinedDVM-PhDProgramStudent/FacultyGuidelines

The combinedDVM-PhDProgramwas created in 2001. It is based on an earlier Veterinary ScientistTrainingPrograminstituted in1975. StudentsadmittedtotheDVM-PhDprogramagreetomeettherequirementsandstandardsofthePhDandDVMtrainingprogramsatCornellUniversity.Oversightofthe combined degree program is provided by a committee of graduate faculty in the College ofVeterinaryMedicine(CVM)withonememberdrawnfromeachofthefivedepartmentsintheCollege.OnememberservesasProgramDirectorandOversightCommitteeChair. CurrentCombinedDegreeOversightCommittee(CDOC)membershipis:

• Helene Marquis (DVM, MSc, PhD), Program Director and Oversight Committee Chair,DepartmentofMicrobiologyandImmunology

• DavidLin(PhD),DepartmentofBiomedicalSciences,DirectorofGraduateStudies(DGS)FieldofComparativeBiomedicalSciences(CBS)

• GuntherHollopeter(PhD),DepartmentofMolecularMedicine

• RoryTodhunter(BVSc,PhD),DepartmentofClinicalSciences

• MichaelStanhope(PhD),DepartmentofPopulationMedicineandDiagnosticSciences

Additionalcommitteemembersinclude:

• NitaIrby(DVM),ChairoftheDVMCurriculumCommittee,anadhocmember.

• JodyKorich(DVM),AssociateDeanforVeterinaryEducation,exofficiomember.

• Bettina Wagner (DVM PhD), Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Education, ex officiomember.

• TheDGS for the Field of CBS is either amember of theOversight Committee, or an ad hocmember.

AdministrativesupportfortheactivitiesoftheOversightCommitteeisprovidedthroughtheOfficeofGraduate Education Manager and the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in theCVM.

Admission into the DVM-PhD program is the joint responsibility of the CDOC, the DVM AdmissionsCommittee, and the Biomedical and Biological Science (BBS) PhD Program Admissions Committee.AcademicoversightfortheDVMprogramisprovidedbyDr.KatherineEdmondson,AssistantDeanforLearning and Instruction.Ms. JenniferMailey in theOffice ofDVMAdmissions at the CVMprovidessupport for DVM-PhD. Academic oversight for the PhD program is provided by Dr. HeleneMarquis,Director of the Combined Degree Program, and Dr. Dave Lin, DGS for the Field of ComparativeBiomedicalSciences.Ms.ArlaHouriganandMs.CindyGreyintheOfficeofGraduateEducationattheCVMprovidesupportforDVM-PhDstudentsduringtheirPhDstudies.

Abbreviationsusedinthisdocument:BBS,BiologicalandBiologicalSciences;CBS,ComparativeBiomedicalSciences;CDOC,CombinedDegreeOversightCommittee;CUHA,CornellUniversityAnimalHospital;CVM,CollegeofVeterinaryMedicine;DGS,DirectorofGraduateStudies;OGE,OfficeofGraduateEducation;VIP,VeterinaryInvestigatorProgram.

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

I. Introduction ………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

II. GoalsandOrganizationoftheDVM-PhDProgram ……………………………………………………… 5

A.ElementsoftheTrainingProgram …………………………………………………………………… 5

B.ImportantMilestones ……………………………………………………………………………………. 7

C.TimelineAlternativesandExceptions ……………………………………………………………… 71.DVMStudentsEnteringtheCombinedDegreeProgram ………………………… 82.CornellGraduateStudentsEnteringtheCombinedDegreeProgram …….. 83.ExtendingtheThesisResearchperiod-Track1 ……………………………………… 84.ExtenuatingCircumstances …………………………………………………………………… 8

D.FinancialSupport ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 8

III. GuidanceandCounselingforDVM-PhDStudents ………………………………………………………. 8

A. GeneralGuidelinesforFindingSupportPersonnelandResources …………………. 8

B. FacultyAdvisors(duringDVMtraining) ………………………………………………………… 9

C. TheAdvisoryCommittee ………………………………………………………………………………. 9

D. TheGraduateSpecialCommittee ………………………………………………………………….. 9

E. TheCareerCounselingCommittee(CCC) ……………………………………………………….. 9

IV. TheVeterinaryMedicineCurriculum …………………………………………………………………………… 10

A. FoundationCourses ……………………………………………………………………………………… 11

B. DistributionCourses ……………………………………………………………………………………… 11

C. ClinicalRotations ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

D. ClinicRounds …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

V. GraduateStudy ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12

A. LaboratoryRotations ……………………………………………………………………………………… 13

B. ChoosingaThesisAdvisor ……………………………………………………………………………….. 13

C. GraduateSpecialCommittee ……………………………………………………………………………. 14

D. GraduateCoursework ………………………………………………………………………………………. 14

E. GraduateSchoolRequirementsandFieldRecommendations …………………………… 15

F. Publications ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15

VI. IntegrationofDVMandPhDStudies ………………………………………………………………………….. 15

A. LaboratoryRotations ………………………………………………………………………………………. 16

B. DistributionCourses ………………………………………………………………………………………… 16

C. ClinicalTrainingOpportunities ………………………………………………………………………… 16

D. TeachingRequirement ……………………………………………………………………………………. 17

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E. RequestingTransferofCredit ………………………………………………………………………….. 17

VII. Evaluation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17

A. Gradeexpectation …………………………………………………………………………………………… 17

B. Laboratoryrotationevaluations ………………………………………………………………………. 17

C. Annualprogressreports ………………………………………………………………………………….. 18

D. Admissiontocandidacyexamination ………………………………………………………………. 18

E. Defenseofthesis ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 18

VIII.Transitions …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18

A. MatriculationintotheDVM-PhDProgram ……………………………………………………… 18

B. Fromprofessionalprogramtograduateschool ………………………………………………. 19

C. Fromgraduateschooltoprofessionalprogram ……………………………………………… 19

D. FromDVM-PhDprogramtopostgraduateclinical/postdoctoraltraining ………… 19

IX. AdministrativeIssues ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20

A. Funding …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20

B. Interview/Recruitment ………………………………………………………………………………… 20

C. PublicationsandAcknowledgements …………………………………………………………….. 20

D. Vacation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20

E. Sickleave …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 21

F. Parentalleave ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 21

G. Unpaidleave …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 21

H. Withdrawalfromtheprogram ………………………………………………………………………. 21

I. Protectionofintellectualpropertyrights ……………………………………………………….. 21

X. Appendicesstartat22

A.GettingStarted:SummerProgramsandResearchRotations ……………………………… 22 1.VeterinaryInvestigatorProgram ……………………………………………………………. 22

2.LeadershipProgram ………………………………………………………………………………... 22B.Outlineofthe7YearTrainingProgramforDVM-PhDStudents ………………………….. 23

C.AdviceonPreparingPetitions ……………………………………………………………………………… 24 1.ResearchforDVMCourseCredit ……………………………………………………………. 24 2.ExtensionofThesisResearchPeriod ………………………………………………………. 24

D.DVMCurriculum …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 25

E.ProfessionalResponsibilitiesandConduct ………………………………………………………….. 26

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I.INTRODUCTION

Our academic objective is bold: we seek to integrate the most rigorous basic scientific and clinicaltraining so that our graduates will be at the forefront of biomedical science and the veterinaryprofessioninacademicresearch,medicineandteaching;governmentserviceandpublichealth;orthebiotechnology/pharmaceutical industry. Our Program takes advantage of Cornell's uniquelyinterdisciplinaryenvironmenttointegrateclinicaltrainingatthenation'stop-rankedveterinaryschoolwith the University's internationally-recognized strengths in biochemical, cellular and molecularbiology, biomedical engineering, cancer biology, epidemiology, ecology, food sciences, genomics,infectiousdiseaseandimmunology,nanotechnology,neurosciences,zoologyandwildlifeconservationamongothers.

Forstudents,thebenefitsofCornell'sCombinedDVM-PhDDegreePrograminclude:

• traininginbasicsciencestoimprovefundamentalbiologicalunderstandingandtolearnhowtoaskandtestscientificquestionsappropriately;

• acquisition of a systems knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medicine and surgery that willenablestudentstounderstandbiologicalprocessesanddiseaseconditionsfromsubcellulartoorganismallevels;

• understandingofthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenspecies,enablingstudentstoutilizecomparativeapproachestoscienceandmedicine;

• clinical trainingwhich facilitates identificationof areas in needof research tobenefit animalandhumanhealth;

• integration of basic science and clinical studies to decrease the time required to earn twoadvanceddegreesinanenvironmentwhereoutstandingDVMandPhDtrainingisavailable;

• financialsupportduringtheDVMstudiescurrentlyconsistingofhealthinsuranceandsummerstipendsduring research rotations. Inaddition, theCVMwill forgiveall loansassociatedwiththeDVMtuitionwhenboththeDVMandPhDarecompleted.IfastudentisalreadyintheDVMprogramwhenacceptedinthecombineddegreeprogram,theDVMtuitionwillbecoveredfortheyearsthatthestudentwaspartofthecombineddegreeprogram;

• financialsupportduringthegraduatestudiesconsistingofgraduateschooltuition,stipendandhealthinsuranceprovidedbythefacultymentor

Clinical medicine and laboratory research havemany rewards – but also potential frustrations. TheCVM’sDVM-PhDProgramrecognizesthatascientificcareerisachallengingundertaking.Inadditiontothose common among all professional careers, there are particular challenges associated withcombined-degree careers because the training is long and it is difficult to manage the conflictingdemandsofclinical,laboratoryandpersonalresponsibilities.Duringyourtraining,weprovideguidanceforhowtoplanyourstudies,andsuggestwaystodealwithmanyproblemsyouarelikelytoencounter,while attempting to preserve the flexibility necessary to permit integration and completion of twoadvanceddegreesinatimelymanner.

The Cornell DVM-PhD Program is centered in the CVM and is comprised of the College’s DVMProfessionalProgramandCornell’sGraduateSchool.TheuniquestructureoftheProgramprovidesyouwith extraordinary resources and opportunities. It also is a source of challenges that we hope tominimizewiththisGuide.Pleasenote,thisisonlyaguide–notasubstituteforthepoliciesthatgovernyoureducationandtrainingintheDVMProgramorinyourPhDfield.Thesepolicieswillbereviewedannually and updated regularly. It is your responsibility to abide by them for each of the training

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componentsastheyareappliedduringtheperiodinwhichyouareenrolled.Whileitistheintentionofall involved tohonoragreementsmadeat the timeyoumatriculate in theDVM-PhDprogram, somechangesintheVeterinaryMedicinecurriculummayoccurthatareparticulartotheDVMclassyouareassociatedwith.Thesemayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,additionordeletionofdistributioncourses,changesinschedulingofclinicalrotationanddistributioncourseblocks.Duringthegraduateprogram,mostoftheguidance inthisdocument isbasedonexpectationsforstudents inthegraduateFieldofCBS,whichispartoftheBiologicalandBiomedicalSciences(BBS)ProgrambasedintheCVM

II.GOALSANDORGANIZATIONOFTHEDVM-PhDDEGREEPROGRAM

The goal of theDVM-PhDProgramat CornellUniversity is to train thenext generationof leaders inbiomedical research – and to do so in a manner that promotes an effective intellectual dialoguebetweenstudentsandfacultyresearchersandclinicians.GraduatesoftheProgramwillhaveexcellentresearch credentials and be well qualified for the practice of veterinary medicine if they decide tocombineresearchwithveterinarypractice.Thisprogramisdesignedtobecompletedin7-8years(seeAppendixB).Thus,considerableinterplayofDVMandPhDstudiesisnecessaryforthestudenttomakeefficient progress through the program. Successful integration of PhD and DVM studies requires anappreciationthatthemissionofthegraduateprogramandtheprofessionalcurriculumarenotentirelycongruent.ThissectionoftheguidelinesisanintroductiontohowtheDVM-PhDprogramattemptstocombineimportantpartsofgraduateandveterinarymedicalstudies.Inadditiontoasetofmilestonesbelow,strongproactivementoring(seesectionIII)isessentialforstudentstocompletetheprograminatimelyway.

A.ElementsoftheTrainingProgram

The main components of the DVM-PhD program are the DVM studies comprised of course work,laboratoryexercisesandclinicaltraining,andPhDstudieswhichincludelaboratoryrotations,graduatecourses, proposal writing (A-exam), thesis research and writing, and thesis defense (B-exam). Anoutlineofthe7yearsofthetrainingprogramcanbefoundinAppendixB.

Combined DVM-PhD students are required to do their first research rotation during the summer ofYear1.InconsultationwiththeProgramDirectorandtheDGSofCBS,thestudentshouldarrangeforaresearchrotationassoonashe/shehasmatriculatedintotheprogram.Itisimperativethatthestudentseeks to rotate in labs that arewell funded for researchand that can financially support a graduatestudent.ThestudentshouldalsoapplytotheCornellVeterinaryInvestigatorProgram(VIP)toreceiveasummerstipend(seeAppendixA).Thisfirstresearchrotationshouldbecompletedbymid-AugustpriortoenteringtheDVMprogram.

ThesecondresearchrotationiscompletedduringdistributionperiodA/Batthebeginningofthespringsemester.Thestudentshouldregisteredfor4creditsofresearchduringthatperiod.Thethirdresearchrotationiscompletedduringthesummerbetweenyear1and2oftheDVMprogram.Stipendsupportfor the summerwill be arranged byAssociateDean for Research andGraduate Studies andmay bethrough one of the organized programs: VIP, the Cornell Leadership Program (see Appendix A), oranothermechanism. Again, students should consult with the Program Director and the DGS beforesubmitting their rotation selection so that they can ensure a rotation that is worthwhile to thestudent’scareergoals.At theendof this third rotation, thestudentshouldselecta thesismentor inconsultationwith theProgramDirector and theDGS.AllDVM-PhD students are required to select a

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thesis mentor before entering the 2nd year of the DVM program. Considering that students areadmitted through theBBS programand that the CVMprovides considerable financial support to CDstudents,studentsmustremainregisteredwithinagraduatefieldassociatedwiththeBBSprogramandthethesismentormustbeamemberofthatfield.StudentsentergraduateschoolinJanuaryofYear2.

TheResearchYears- JanuaryofYear2toJanuaryofYear5: DVM-PhDstudentsmustkeepcontactwiththeOfficeofGraduateEducation(OGE)andMs.PaigeFrey,theCollegeRegistrar,toensuretheymakesmoothtransitionsbetweentheDVMProgramandtheGraduateSchool.ItisimportanttonotethattheadministrativemechanicswillchangetotheGraduateSchoolonceinthePhDDegreeProgramandallprogramrequirementsmustbefulfilledaccordingtotheGraduateSchool.

DVM-PhDstudentsareonanacceleratedtrackwhentheyentertheirresearchyears,anditisadvisedthat theyselect theirSpecialCommittee in thespringofyear2.The functionof thiscommittee is toguidestudentsandevaluatetheirprogress.DetailedinformationaboutthiscommitteecanbefoundinsectionV-C.

Afirstcommitteemeetingshouldbescheduledbeforetheendofyear2.Thisway,thestudent,theiradvisorandthecommitteememberscandiscusstheplansforthethesisresearchandanyotherissuesthatmightberelevant.Thereafter,thecommitteeshouldmeetatleastonceayear.Aprogressreportmust be completed and distributed to the committeemembers, to the OGE, and to the CombinedDegreeprogramdirectorbeforethemeeting,nolaterthanJuly1stofeachyear.Inaddition,theresultsofthemeetingmustbedistributedtothesameentities.TheformsforthesereportsareavailableontheBBSwebsite: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/BBS/CurrentStudents/bbsannualstudentreport.cfm

After completing three semesters of graduate study the student will prepare a formal researchproposal for theirSpecialCommitteeanddefend it inanoralexamination (theA-exam).TheA-examproposalformatisspecifiedintheguidelinespublishedbythegraduatefieldontheirwebsite.TheA-examshouldbecompletedbeforetheendofYear3.SeesectionVII-Dformoredetails.

Studentsareresponsible forschedulingtheirCommitteemeetingsandtheA-Exam. It is thepolicyoftheDVM-PhDProgramthatastudentwhofailstoconvenetheirCommitteeannualmeetingbyJuly1stoftheacademicyearortocompletetheA-exambeforetheendofYear3willbeconsideredtobeinpooracademicstanding,unlesstheyhavereceivedexplicitpermissiontohavethemeetingorexamatalaterdate.AllstudentsarestronglyencouragedtomakesurethattheirCommitteemeetsinatimelymanner,andthatthereportsaresubmittedtomeetthisdeadline.Giventhedifficultiesassociatedwithcoordinating the calendars of very busy people, students are advised to begin scheduling theCommitteeseveralmonthsinadvanceofthemeeting–andtosendoutreminders.

Researchproceedsatanunpredictablepace,whichoftenisslowerthanstudentsexpect;butstudentstend tobeoptimists. TheCommitteemeetings thereforeare important, as theyprovide forperiodicassessments of the rate of progress – by people outside the laboratory. If the student, or theirCommittee, is concerned about the rate of progress, it is advised that Committee meetings bescheduled twice a year, so that the rate of progress can be monitored more closely. The decisionwhetherthestudentcandefendtheirthesisinthefallsemesterofYear5orinthesummerofYear6usuallywouldbemadeduringacommitteemeeting.

Students are expected to have completed their thesis research if not their thesis document beforereturning to theDVMcurriculum in JanuaryofYear5.However, if a student ingood standing isnotreadytoreturntotheDVMprogramatthattime,andtheyhavesufficientevidencethattheywillbeable to finish their research if grantedanadditional year, theymaypetition theCDOCand theDVMCurriculumCommitteefora1-yearextensionoftheirthesisresearchperiod.Iftheyfailtodothisinatimely way, theymust return to the DVM class. Failing to petition, or return to the DVM class will

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requirereapplicationforadmissiontotheDVMprogram.InformationregardingpetitionscanbefoundinAppendixC.

CompletionoftheDVMprogram–JanuaryofYear5–MayofYear7.CombinedDegreestudentsareexpectedtoreturntotheveterinarycurriculuminJanuaryofYear5,whichcorrespondstotheSpringsemester of second year of the DVM program. In the summer preceding their return to the DVMcurriculum,studentsmustinformDr.KathyEdmonsdonandMs.PaigeFreyoftheirintentions.SummerofYear6isavailabletofinishwritingthethesisandtaketheB-examifnecessary.

Remember, studentsmay take a fewDVMDistribution Courses and/or TA in one of the foundationcourseduringthe3yearstheyareingraduateschool.Thisisimportantbecausesomeofthesecoursesarepreparatory forBlockVa.This isalso important tomaintainthe integrationof theveterinaryandgraduateresearchcurriculum.

B.ImportantMilestones

• BeginseekingguidancefromtheCombinedDegreeprogramdirectorandfromtheDGSofCBSwithin weeks of acceptance into the DVM-PhD program to select a laboratory for their 1stresearchrotation

• Successfullycompleteonesummerresearchrotationprior toenteringtheDVMProgram(viaVIP)

• Continueseekingguidance fromtheprogramdirectorandDGS to select2ndand3rd researchrotations

• Completeasecondresearchrotationduringthedistributionperiodinthespringofyear1

• Complete a 3rd research rotation during the summer between years 1 and 2 of the DVMprogram

• Choosearesearchmentorbytheendofthethirdrotation

• BeginthePhDdegreePrograminJanuaryofYear2

• FormaSpecialCommitteeinthespringofyear2

• HaveaSpecialCommitteemeetingbeforetheendofyear2

• TaketheA-exambeforetheendofYear3

• TakeDVMdistributionandgraduatecourseswhileingraduateschool

• TAinaDVMcoursewhileingraduateschool

• ReturntotheDVMcurriculuminJanuaryofYear5(or6)

• TaketheB-exambeforethefallsemesterofYear6(or7)

• FinishtheDVMprograminMayofYear7(or8)

C.TimelineAlternativesandExceptions

StudentswhomatriculatedinDVMcurriculumortoPhDprogramatCornellpriortojoiningtheDVM-PhDprogramwillhaveessentiallythesametimelineasothercombineddegreestudents.

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1. DVM Students Entering the Combined Degree Program would have to demonstrate theircommitmenttoresearch,eitherbyhavingparticipatedintheVIPorLeadershipPrograms,and/ordoingresearchparttimewhileintheDVMclass.Thenumberofresearchrotationsrequiredwillbepro-ratedbythenumberof labstheyhavedoneresearchprojects inbeforebeingacceptedintotheprogram.Thus,itislikelythat1styearDVMstudentswillbecreditedwithoneresearchrotation.Theywillbeexpectedtocompletetheiradditionalresearchrotationsbytheendofthesummerafterenteringtheprogramandselectathesismentor.

2. Cornell Graduate students Entering the Combined Degree Program are expected to havecompleted 3 laboratory rotations and selected a research mentor prior to starting the DVMcurriculum. During the first year of Vet School these students are expected to pursue thesisresearchduringsummersandDistributionCourseperiods.

3. Extending the Thesis Research Period. If a student, their research mentor and their SpecialCommitteeare inagreementthatthestudent’sresearchwillbenefitsignificantlybyaoneyearextensionof the researchperiod, or if their researchwouldbe jeopardizedby leaving ahighlycompetitiveongoingproject inanunfinishedstate, the studentmust submitawrittenpetitionfirst to the CDOC, which will judge its suitability for support before the DVM CurriculumCommittee(seeAppendixC).

4.ExtenuatingCircumstances.TheOversightCommitteerecognizesthatlifeisnotalwayssmoothandsometimesextenuatingcircumstanceswillarisethatwillalterthemostcarefully laidplans.Studentsareencouragedtoconsultwiththeirresearchmentor,theDVM-PhDProgramDirector,and/ortheDGSregardinganydifficultiesthattheymayencounterthatare likelytoaffecttheirprogressthroughtheProgram.

D.FinancialSupport

During the DVM program, an individualized financial support package is prepared annually for eachstudentbytheDirectorofStudentFinancialPlanning,Ms.CarolGary.Partofthefinancialaidpackageincludesa loanforDVMtuitionfromtheCVMstartingtheyearthatthestudententerstheprogram.The loan is forgiven once the DVM-PhD students successfully complete both their DVM and PhDdegrees.TheCollegewillprovidehealthinsuranceduringtheDVMprogram.

DuringthePhDprogram,DVM-PhDstudentsreceivefullgraduatetuition,healthinsuranceandstipendsupportfromresearchfundssuppliedbytheirresearchmentor.Therefore,itisveryimportanttoselectaresearchmentorwhosefundingissufficienttocoverthesefundsforthedurationofthePhD.Itisalsoexpectedthatstudentswillapplyforgraduatefundingtoanappropriatefundingagency(NIH,USDA).DuringthefallsemesterofYear3,studentswilltakeBIOAP6100,a3-creditcourseinwhichtheywillwritearesearchproposaltobesubmittedforexternalfunding.Resourcesforconductingresearcharetheresponsibilityoftheresearchmentor.(seesectionIX,AdministrativeIssues)

III.GUIDANCEANDCOUNSELINGFORDVM-PhDSTUDENTS

A.GeneralGuidelinesforFindingSupportPersonnelandResources

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The OGE, which is managed by Arla Hourigan and staffed by Cindy Grey, generally should be thestartingpoint forall informationgatheringbyDVM-PhDstudents– inparticular for students in theirearlyyearsintheProgram.EachstudentwillalsobeassignedacurrentDVM-PhDstudentasmentor.In addition, theDVMOfficeof Student Services,which isdirectedbyDr. Jai Sweet, is a resource forDVM-PhDDegreestudents.

TheChairoftheCDOCactsastheProgramDirector.He/sheservesasaneffectiveliaisonbetweentheDVMProgramandtheGraduateSchool.Questionsrelatingtoacademicguidanceusuallyarereferredto theProgramDirectoror theDGS. Inadditionto these formalmechanisms,DVM-PhDstudentsareencouragedtoconsultwiththeirlaboratoryresearchadvisorsandstudentadvisors.

B.FacultyAdvisor(duringDVMtraining)

Each student in year 1 of the DVM program is assigned a Faculty Advisor. The Student Handbook,publishedannuallyintheCollege,containsalistofalloftherequirements,policiesandopportunitiesthatpertain to yourDVMeducation.Because theDVMcurriculum ishighly structured,witha list ofrequiredcoursesandlaboratories,studentsdonotalwayschoosetoconsultwiththeirassignedfacultyadvisor.Rather,theyself-selectoneormorefacultyadvisorsonaninformalbasisandconsultdirectlywith Ms. Paige Frey, the College Registrar regarding scheduling of courses and clinical rotations.However,itisyourfacultyadvisorwhowillbeyouradvocateifforsomereasonyouhaveanyconcernswithacourseleaderorcircumstancesrequireyoutobringaformalappealtotheCollegefaculty.ItisimportanttoinformamemberofDr.JaiSweet’sofficeifyouchangeyourfacultyadvisor.YoushouldalsoinformtheOGEandtheprogramdirectoraboutyourfacultyadvisor.

C.TheAdvisoryCommittee

ThedirectoroftheprogramandtheDGSofCBSwillbeginadvisingstudentsbeforethefirstsummerrotation.Studentsneedtoselecttheirthesisresearchadvisorbytheendofthesecondsummer.Whena student select a thesismentor, thedirector of the programand theDGSwill communicate to thestudentandthementortheexpectationsandresponsibilitiesofthestudentandmentor intheDVM-PhDprogram.

D.TheGraduateSpecialCommittee

Thiscommitteeofgraduatefacultyisestablishedbythestudentandtheirresearchmentor(seesectionV-B,ChoosingaThesisAdvisor,).ThepurposeofthiscommitteeistoguidethestudentthroughtheirPhDtraining.DVM-PhDstudentsareonanacceleratedtrackwhentheyentertheirresearchyears,andit isadvisedthattheyselecttheirSpecialCommitteeno laterthanJune1stofYear3.Thefunctionofthiscommitteeistoguidestudentsandevaluatetheirprogress.MoredetailedinformationaboutthiscommitteecanbefoundinsectionV-C.

E.CareerCounselingGroup(CCG)

This isan informalgroupmadeupof facultyselectedbythestudentformentoring.MembersofthisgrouparefacultywhohavementoredthestudentduringtheirDVM-PhDstudiesandwhowillbeableto provide continuing advice on the student's long-term career planning and goals (post-graduateresearchandclinical training,etc.).ThetypicalCCGshouldbe4or5 facultymembers including the

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student'sPhDresearchadvisorandotherfacultymemberswhohaveknowledgeoftheirtalentsasan educator, researcher and clinician. Remember, it is essential to build and maintain yourprofessional contact network to facilitate letters of recommendation for fellowships and grantapplications,andforpostdoctoralorresidencypositions,aswellastosearchcommitteeswhenyouareseekingyour firstposition.Eachstudent isencouragedtoprovidethenamesof theirmentors to theOGEontheirannualreportformsothattheOfficestaffhasuptodateinformationwhentheyneedtoorganizelettersofrecommendation.

IV.THEVETERINARYMEDICINECURRICULUM

The professional curriculum at Cornell reflects the leading edge of scientific knowledge and clinicalmedicine. It is comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and continually evolving to prepare veterinarians topursue diverse career paths within the veterinary profession including basic and/or translationalresearch. It provides a broad-based education in all of the traditional subjects and, in an era ofincreasing specialization, gives students the opportunity to develop an area of greater expertise. Inaddition to a strong foundation in biomedical and clinical disciplines, the educational program alsoemphasizes important related topics in veterinary medicine including communication skills, clientrelations,ethics,publichealth,practicemanagement,andprofessionaldevelopment.

ThegoalsoftheprofessionalcurriculumatCornellareto:

• provideeachstudentwiththeknowledgeandskillsthatformthefoundationonwhichtobuildacareerintheprofession;

• fostercriticalthinkingandscientificcuriosity;

• inculcatearigorousapproachtoproblemsolving;

• emphasizethescientificprinciplesunderlyingveterinarymedicine;

• fosterhabitsofself-educationandlifelonglearning;

• stresspreventativeaswellascurativemedicine;

• promoteethicalbehaviorandasensitivitytotheroleoftheveterinarianinsociety;

• provideeach studentwithabroadgeneral veterinaryeducation,butalso theopportunity topursueanareaofinterestfromamongthemanyopportunitiesavailabletoveterinarians;

• teachstudentstorecognizethelimitsoftheirskillandknowledgeandtomakeeffectiveuseofadditionalresourcesandexpertise.

ThesegoalsareachievedthroughthedesignofthecurriculumandtheflexiblestructureofFoundationandDistributioncourses.Theteachingformats,inparticulartheincorporationofsmallgrouplearningandcollaborativework, fosterself-education,problemsolving,andhelpstudentsrecognizethe limitsof their knowledge and skills. Preclinical courses use clinical cases to fuel scientific curiosity, whileemphasizing the scientific principles that underlie medicine. In this curriculum, students becomeactively engaged -- working independently as well as with faculty and peers. The rich learningenvironmentproducedbytheseteachingapproacheshelpsstudentsassumegreaterresponsibilityfortheireducation,learntouseadditionalresources,andfostershabitsoflifelonglearning.

TheCollegehasmodernandwell-equippedteachingandclinicalfacilities,anddrawsuponfacultywhoare dedicated teachers and leaders in their respective fields. A variety of educational resources are

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available to support student learning; these are readily accessible to students at all hours. CornellUniversityHospitalforAnimals(CUHA)isequippedwithstate-of-the-artequipmentthatallowsforthemost up to date diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on inpatients and outpatients. Under thedirection of the clinical faculty, students play an integral role in the healthcare of animals, and incommunicationswithCUHAclients.

A.FoundationCourses:

Foundation courses are interdisciplinary and represent approximately 70percent of theprofessionalcurriculum.InFoundationcoursesI,III,andIV(VTMED5100,VTMED5300,VTMED5400),studentsworkinsmallgroupsundertheguidanceofafacultytutor.Case-basedexercisesareusedtofacilitatetheunderstandingofbasicscienceconceptswithinthecontextofclinicalmedicine. Insomecourses,three two-hour tutorial sessions are scheduled each week. These are complemented by lectures,laboratories,anddiscussionsessionsorotherorganizedlearningopportunitiesspecifictotheindividualcourse.Facultymembersareavailabletorespondtoquestionsthatariseasaresultofthecase-basedexercises.

Tutorial sessions and all other organized learning programs are scheduled primarily during themornings, thereby reserving time in the afternoon for independent study. By learning in a clinicalcontext, students are better able to integratematerial from the basic and clinical sciences and areencouraged todevelopanunderstandingof the clinical reasoningprocess from thebeginningof thecurriculum.Thetutorial-basededucationalformatcreatesanatmospherethatrequiresstudentstobeinvolved actively in their learning and allows them to develop skills in communication, informationretrieval,andanalysis.WiththeexceptionofNeuroanatomyandNeurology,mostfoundationcoursesarereferredtoas"Blocks"bystudentsandfaculty.(ClinicalRotationsrepresentcorematerialinBlock6.) Course descriptions are found at the followingwebsite (below is a summary of the informationprovided):http://courses.cornell.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=3518

B.DistributionCourses

Distributioncoursescomprise30percentofthecurriculumandareusuallyscheduledduringthefirsthalfofeachspringsemester.Duringthefirsttwoyears,manyofthedistributioncoursesareorientedto the basic sciences. During years three and four, students have additional distribution courseofferings fromwhich to choose. Some emphasize clinical specialties, whereas others integrate basicscience disciplines with clinical medicine and are co-taught by faculty members representing bothareas.Studentsfromdifferentclasseshavetheopportunitytotakemanyofthesecoursestogether.Acompletedescriptionofthecoursescanbefound:

http://courses.cornell.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=3518

Cornellstudentspursueawiderangeofexperiencesaccordingtotheirprofessionalgoalsandinterests.Distribution courses provide an opportunity to do research during the clinical training period inaddition tocompletingadditionalclinical rotations in the followingareas: theriogenology,cardiology,exoticanimalmedicine,oncology,laboratoryanimalmedicine,andequineprimarycare.Studentsmayalsoobtainclinicalexperienceforacademiccreditoffcampus-ininstitutionalsettingswithestablishedteachingprograms,orinfacilitiesofferinguniqueclinicalorresearchexperiences.DVM-PhDstudentsmay take some of their distribution course credits during their years as a PhD student.However,thereisalimitof4creditsperyearforatotalof12credits.Thesecreditscanalsobeusedasresearchcredits(VTMED6X99).

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C.ClinicalRotations(Block6)

InthethirdyearoftheDVMcurriculum,studentsparticipateinsupervisedclinicalworkattheCUHA.Studentsrotatethroughaseriesofrequiredclinicalrotations,andselectoneofseveralpathwaysthatoffertheopportunitytodevelopspecificskillsnecessaryfortheirchosenareaofveterinarymedicine.Required clinical rotations include: ambulatory medicine, anesthesiology, dermatology, large animalmedicine, large animal surgery, ophthalmology, pathology, imaging, community practice service andsmallanimaltheriogenology,smallanimalmedicine,smallanimalsurgery,andemergencyandcriticalcaremedicine.Pathwaysinclude:SmallAnimal,Equine,General(Mixed),Exotics,ZooandWildlife,andProductionAnimalMedicine.

D.ClinicalRound

Clinical rounds are case presentations that occur on a regular basis in different specialty clinicsthroughouttheyear.TheyareopentoeveryoneintheCollege,buttheyaregearedtowardstudentsandrepresentanexcellentmechanismtointegrateDVM-PhDtraining.Casepresentationsaremadeby4th-yearstudents,residents,orfacultymembers.Thecasesareusuallyanimalsthatarecurrentlyintheclinic and are selected for their teaching value. The presentations include a complete history of theanimal, radiographs, summaries of how the case has been handled to date and, in the large animalhospitals,usuallythepatientitself.

V.GRADUATESTUDY

ThethreemajorGraduateSchoolrequirementsforthePhDdegreearesixsemestersofstudythatearnregistration units (6 RUs), two oral examinations (the A and B exams) and the written dissertation.DVM-PhDDegreestudentsareusuallyadmittedtothegraduateFieldofCBS,whichisapartoftheBBSprogramintheCVM.TheBBSprogramalsoincludestheGraduateFieldsof:Immunology&InfectiousDiseases,MolecularandIntegrativePhysiology,Pharmacology,andZoologyandWildlifeConservation.

Graduatestudentsareexpectedto:

1. Makeanoriginalandsubstantialcontributiontotheirfieldofresearch.

2. Demonstratein-depthknowledgeofonesub-disciplineintheirfield.

3. Demonstrateabroadknowledgeoftheoryandresearchacrossseveralsub-disciplines.

4. Learnandfollowethicalguidelinesforresearchscientistsandacademicprofessionals.

5. Writeandspeakeffectivelytoprofessionalandlayaudiencesaboutmajorissuesintheirresearcharea.

DVM-PhD students are expected to complete 3 research laboratory rotations and select a thesisresearch mentor before entering the second year of the veterinary curriculum. Major differencesbetweentraditionalgraduateeducationandtheDVM-PhDarethatDVMfoundationcoursescontributea greater breadthof knowledge,while graduate courses are designed to exploreunsolvedproblemsthat can be addressed by employing the scientificmethod. To achieve the goals for any researcher,whether they earn PhD or DVM-PhD degrees, requires them to understand that their success inachievingadepthofknowledgeinanysubjectisproportionaltotheireffortstoeducatethemselves.

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A.LaboratoryRotations

DVM-PhDstudentsarerequiredtorotatethroughthelaboratoriesofthreegraduatefacultymembersthathaveanactiveandwell-fundedresearchprogrampriortoselectingtheirSpecialCommitteeChair.Althoughthetimespentineachlaboratorymayvarybetween5and10weeks,itisexpectedthateachrotation will be a meaningful experience. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss potentialrotationswiththeDGSandCombinedDegreeProgramDirector.Whenselectingrotationlaboratories,students should review faculty web sites, read their recent research publications, and meet withselected faculty members to discuss potential rotation projects and to inquire about the financialcapacityofthelabtosupportaPhDstudent.

Each student and faculty mentor is required to complete an evaluation form at the end of eachrotation:http://www.vet.cornell.edu/BBS/CurrentStudents/bbsannualstudentreport.cfm

Pleasebeaware:

• Yourexperiencewillbedifferentfromthatofthestudentwhocamebeforeyou–andthestudentwhowillcomeafteryou.

• Explore the laboratory in person. If possible participating in lab meetings once or twice beforecommittingtoyourrotation.

• Do not expect to finish a research project in your rotation research; your goal is to select alaboratoryinwhichyouwillworkonsomethingthelaboratoryisknownforsothatyoucanlearnthemethodsandbeanactiveparticipantintheexchangeofideas.

• Whensearchingforathesislab,youaresearchingforaprojectandanadvisorinalabenvironmentwhereyoubelieveyouwillbeproductiveandhaveappropriatementoring.

• Finally, your ultimate success in finding a research mentor will hinge on the interest andenthusiasm you project. Remember this is an extended job interview; treat all involved withrespect.Ifyouworkhard,askquestionsandoffersuggestions,youareawinner.

B.ChoosingaThesisAdvisor

Any facultymember of a graduate field associatedwith the BBS program can serve as the researchadvisorforDVM-PhDstudents.Itisimportanttorecognizethatthestudent-mentorrelationshipshouldbeonewherethereistrustandmutualrespectsinceitisgoingtobeacloseworkingrelationshipforthe years of the research, and beyond when you are looking for future training and employment.Typically, the researchmentor is also the Chair of the Special Graduate Committee, but this is notobligatory, as anymember of the graduate faculty can serve as Chair. For example, if two labs arecollaborating closely with you on your project, you may be doing most of your research in onelaboratory, but your committee chair may be your main collaborator. For the Combined DVM-PhDProgram,theresponsibilityforastudent’sresearchguidanceandprogressrestswiththeheadofthelaboratoryinwhichthestudentisworking.Thethesisadvisorisresponsibleforthefollowing:

• Providing financial support for the PhD degree portion of the program, to include stipend inaccordancewiththeBBSstipendlevel,tuitionandhealthinsurance

• Providingongoingresearchmentorshipthroughouttheprogram

• Providingsupportinallresearch-relatedcosts

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• Providinglaboratoryspaceandaccesstonecessaryresearchequipment,researchandofficespace

C.GraduateSpecialCommittee:

Astudent'sPhDdegreeprogramisdevelopedandsupervisedbyaSpecialCommittee.Thiscommitteewillbecomposedof4-5members:

• TheChairpersonwhodirectsthestudent'sthesisresearch.IftheChairisnottheresearchmentor,itisexpectedthattheresearchadvisoralsobeamemberoftheSpecialCommittee.

• Twofacultymembersrepresentingtwominorconcentrations(amajorminorandaminorminor).The student is encouraged to form a committee that will bring breadth and diversity to theirtraining.

• A field appointedmember. The Field AppointedMember is the onlymember appointed by theExecutiveCommitteeoftheFieldsoonafterthestudent'sSpecialCommitteeisformed.He/sheisavotingmemberofthegraduatefieldwhoseroleistoinsurethefulfillmentofhighstandardsduringthestudent'straining.

• A member of the Combined Degree DVM-PhD Oversight Committee. This member must be acurrentmemberoftheCDOCatthetimetheSpecialCommitteeisformed.Thispersonmayormaynot be the Field appointed member, but they cannot be the student’s research advisor orchairperson.

• Onceconstituted,thecommitteemustberegisteredwiththeGraduateSchool.

• AstudentmayproposechangesintheCommitteecompositionastheirresearchinterestsevolve.AnysuchchangesmustbeapprovedbytheGraduateSchool.

It is the responsibility of the student to hold a formal meeting annualy with themembers of theirSpecialCommittee.During the firstmeetingof theSpecialCommittee, the studentwillpresent theirresearchplantotheircommitteeandthecommitteewillsuggestappropriatefoundationalcoursework.AnnualresearchprogressreportstotheSpecialCommittee,whichwillbesharedwiththeCDOC,willbethebasisfortheircontinuedguidanceduringthePhDtrainingperiod.Theprogressreportformcanbefound at: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/BBS/CurrentStudents/bbsannualstudentreport.cfm. The reportsareduesbythe1stofJulyofeachyear.

D.GraduateCoursework

Eachgraduatefieldhasitsownsetofcourseworkrequirementsthatyoumusttake.Inaddition,youmustfulfillrequirementsfortwominorfields.AminorisofferedbymostofthegraduateFieldsatCornellandtheyusuallyhavespecificcourserequirements.Keepinmindyourgoalistomaximizeyourowneducationandtobecomeproficientintwoareasrelatedtoyourfuturethesisprojectandacademicinterests.Whenyoudecideonalab,youwillrecruittwofacultymemberstoserveonyourspecialcommittee,whosejobistorepresentyourtwominorareas.ExamplesofminorsincludeGenomics,Pharmacology,ImmunologyandInfectiousDiseases,Biochemistry,Microbiology,Development,Physiology,Genetics,Nutrition.Typically,aminorrequiresthestudenttotake4-8credits,or2-3classes.MoreinformationcanbefoundoneachFieldwebsite.

Inaddition,duringyourfirstyearingraduateschoolyouwilltakeBioAP7100—TranslationalBiology(springsemester),andBioAP6100—ByExperimentalDesign;Survivalskillsforgraduatestudents(fall

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semester).YouwillalsohavetotakeanEthicscourseatsomepointinyourgraduatecareer.Thereisonlyoneoptionrightnow:BioMG7510-EthicalIssuesandProfessionalResponsibilities.AcourseinClinicalBiostatistics(VTPMD7070)isalsorecommendedasagoodintroductiontoexperimentaldesign,dataanalysis,andinterpretation.

E.GraduateSchoolRequirementsandFieldRecommendations

TheGraduateSchoolhasveryfewspecificrequirementsforthePhDdegree.Officialrequirementsarepurposelyminimal sincegraduateeducationatCornellUniversity is considered tobe thepurviewoftheGraduateFacultyservingon theSpecialCommitteewhich includesaFieldAppointedmember toensurethatprogramexpectationsaremet.ThemajorityofDVM-PhDDegreestudentsareintheFieldof CBS, and under the guidelines of the BBS program in the CVM. Students are expected to do thefollowing:

• ConductanAnnualMeetingoftheSpecialCommittee(deadline:July1).Individualreportsbythestudentandthementorshouldbesubmittedtoeachcommitteememberpriortothismeeting.AreportofthemeetingmustbesubmittedtotheOfficeofGraduateStudiesbytheField-appointedmemberorbyaminormemberof thecommittee. Theformsfor thesereportscanbefoundat:http://www.vet.cornell.edu/BBS/CurrentStudents/bbsannualstudentreport.cfm

• CompleteaminimumofsixRegistrationUnits(6RUs)foraPh.D.degree.AnRUisdefinedasonesemesteroffull-timestudyataleveldeemedacceptabletotheSpecialCommittee.

• TaketheAdmissiontoCandidacyExam(A-Exam):BeforetheendofYear3oftheprogram,thePhDstudentmustprepareanddefendaresearchproposalbeforetheirSpecialCommitteeinordertobeadmittedtodoctoralcandidacy.Thisexaminationistypicallyoral,buttheformoftheA-examisdeterminedbythespecialcommittee.Thepassingofthisexaminationcertifiesthatthestudentiseligibletopresentadissertationtothegraduatefaculty.NormallystudentshavecompletedtheircourserequirementsbeforetakingtheAExam.Anexceptionmaybemadebythestudent'sSpecialCommitteeifastudenthasnotyettakenarecommendedcoursethatwasnotofferedduringtheirfirstyearasagraduatestudent.

• Thesis Defense (B-Exam): This is an oral examination by the Special Committee based on thecontentofthePh.D.dissertationandtheexpectationsofscholarshipinthestudent'sdiscipline.AminimumoftworegistrationunitsmustbeearnedbetweenpassingtheAexamandtheBexam.

• AdoctoralcandidatetakestheB-examuponcompletionofallrequirementsforthedegreebutnoearlierthanonemonthbeforecompletingthesixregistrationunitrequirement.

• Thesis Document: DVM-PhD degree students must present a dissertation of acceptable inscholarshipandliteraryquality.Arelativelypolisheddraftofthethesisincludingalltables,figures,appendicesandreferencesmustbepresentedtoallmembersoftheSpecialCommitteebeforethefinalexamination.Thedurationoftheperiodreservedforthereadingofthedissertationistobeestablishedby themembers of the committeewith the student in advanceof scheduling theB-exam.AcceptanceofthethesisordissertationrequirestheapprovalofalltheSpecialCommitteemembers.

F.Publications

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ItistheexpectationthatDVM-PhDstudentswillhaveatleastonefirst-authorpublicationinpressinapeer-reviewedjournalbythetimetheygraduatefromtheProgram.AdditionalpublicationsbeforeorfollowingtheB-examareahallmarkofastrongthesis.

VI.INTEGRATIONOFDVMANDPhDSTUDIES

ThepurposeofatemporalinterminglingofDVMandPhDtrainingistofacilitateanintellectualsynergybetweenthescientificandclinicaldisciplines.Itisalsoanticipatedthatthisprogramwillallowstudentstoreducetheoveralltimeittakestoearnbothdegreessequentially.

Researchmay be conducted during the DVM curriculum in the form of laboratory rotations duringsummerbreaksandduring4-8weekperiods indistributionblocks.DuringPhD training students areencouragedtotakeafewDVMshortcoursesinthedistributionperiods(upto4credit-hoursperyear)andmaintaintheirclinicalskillsbycompletingtheirteachingassistantshipsinclinicallaboratoriesandperiodicallyvolunteeringforsupervisedclinicaltraining.

A.LaboratoryRotations

Twoof the three laboratory rotations are completedduring summerbreaks from theDVMprogramthrough two structured programs that foster critical thinking skills (see Appendix A). Both programsfeaturediscussionswithexceptionalresearchersfromCornellandoutside.

B.DistributionCourses

DistributioncoursesallowDVMstudentstoindividualizetheirclinicalandresearchinterests.DVM-PhDstudentswhilecompletingthePhDportionoftheprogrammayenroll inthesecoursesandDVM-PhDstudentswhilecompletingtheDVMportionoftheprogrammaycompleteshortresearchprojectswiththeirSpecialCommitteeChairtohelpthePhDprogress.

1. CourseCredits.DVM-PhDstudentswhoarepursuinggraduatecourseworkandthesisresearchmaytakecoursesfromtheDVMDistributionCourselistforupto4creditsperyearforatotalof12creditstowardthe37requiredfortheDVMdegreeduringa3-yearperiod.Studentsmustseekpermissiontoregisterforthesecourseswell inadvanceofthecourseselectiondeadlinesincetheCollegeRegistrar,Ms.PaigeFrey,willneedtoworktheirrequestsintothescheduleinadvance.Beaware,somespecialtycourseshaveprerequisitesandothersselectstudentsusinga general lottery because there are fewer places than there is interest among students. Forthese lotteries, combined degree student requests will be treated like those of other DVMstudents.Astudentcanalsousethesecreditsasresearchcredits(VTMED6X99).

2. ResearchCredit.DVMstudentsmayregisterforresearchintheDistributionblockperiods,forup to 4 credits per year for a total of 15 credits. ForDVM-PhD students, this opportunity ismostusefulintheir1styearoftheDVMprogramwhentheyareseekingtocompletetheir2ndlabrotation.

C.ClinicalTrainingOpportunities

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DVM-PhDstudentsshouldplantoparticipateinformalandinformalveterinaryexperienceswheretheycan actively learn procedures and maintain clinical skills. Oversight of the types of opportunitieschosen and the number of hours dedicated to clinical opportunitieswill be the responsibility of thecombineddegreecandidateandtheirthesismentor.Identifiedoptionsinclude,TAinclinical labs(i.e.BlockVII,JuniorSurgery,EquineLameness,Anatomy),VolunteeratShelterProgramorWildlifeclinic,andCommunityPracticeService.

D.TeachingRequirement

Dr. Carolyn McDaniel, Course Director for Block VII (Animals, Veterinarians and Society) offers anopportunityforstudentstoserveasherTeachingAssistant(TA).ThisisanunpaidTAshipforwhichthestudentwillreceivecoursecreditundertheSpecialTopicscourses.AsaTAyoucanexpecttoreceivetrainingincoursedesignandassessmentskills.StudentsseekingthisTAopportunitymustmeetwithDr.McDaniel todeterminetheirclinical skills level so theycanbeassignedanappropriatesectionofVIIa-fforthemtoassist.

E.RequestingTransferofCredit

In keepingwithgraduate school regulations, anypersonwithaCornellDVM,who isenrolled inPhDstudies at Cornellmay petition theGraduate School to transfer credits earned in theDVMprogramequivalentoftwoRegistrationUnits(RUs)towardthePhDdegreerequirement.ThiscanonlybedonewiththefullsupportoftheSpecialCommittee.

VII.EVALUATION

A.GradeExpectation

GradingofstudentworkintheDVMprogramisthepurviewofthefacultyteachinginthatcomponentof the program. DVM and PhD degree program students are expected to excel in all DVM and PhDcoursework.Asaresult,satisfactoryacademicperformanceforaDVM-PhDstudentisfulfilledwhenastudenthasreceivedaBgradeaverageorbetterinagivensemester.PleasenotethatthelevelofanacceptablegradeintheDVMprogramislowerthaninthePhDorDVM-PhDprograms.Forthisreason,a DVM-PhD student's progress may be considered inadequate, while their work may be deemedadequateintheDVMprogram.

The DVM-PhD Oversight Committee conducts an annual review of the academic standing of allstudents. Any student who has not met program academic expectations should expect an informalwarningoraletterfromtheProgramDirectordependinguponthelevelofconcernprovokedbypoorgradesand/orpoorresearchprogress.Writtennotificationwill includeaninvitationtothestudenttoexplainthecircumstancesoftheiracademicdeficiencytotheCDOC.Thismaystimulateaformalreviewofthestudent'ssuitabilityforthecombineddegreeprogram.

B.LaboratoryRotationEvaluations-byprofessorandstudent

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Foreachresearchlaboratoryrotationtheheadofthelabwillsubmitawrittenreportonthestudents’performance to the OGE, and they are shared with the CDOC. The student will also evaluate theirresearchexperience in the lab.The facultyLaboratoryRotationEvaluation formcanbe foundontheBBS website: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/BBS/CurrentStudents/bbsannualstudentreport.cfm. TheseevaluationswillbereviewedbytheCDOCassoonastheyaresubmitted.

C.AnnualProgressReports

It is the responsibility of the student to have an annual meeting with their Special Committee.Individual reports by the student and thementor should be submitted to each committeememberpriortothismeeting.AreportofthemeetingmustbesubmittedtotheOfficeofGraduateStudiesbytheField-appointedmemberorbyaminormemberofthecommittee.Theformsforthesereportscanbefoundat:http://www.vet.cornell.edu/BBS/CurrentStudents/bbsannualstudentreport.cfm

D.AdmissiontoCandidacyExamination(A-exam)

No later than completion of 4 Registration Units (RUs) towards the Graduate Degree, the SpecialCommitteeevaluateswhether thestudenthasmastered their researchareaand is ready toproceedofficially to the thesis research. The Committee decides if the student passes, fails or receives aconditionalpass;thisbecomespartoftherecordwiththeGraduateSchool.

E.DefenseofThesis(B-exam)

The Special Committee reads the thesis, attends apublic presentationby thedegree candidate, andadministersanoralexaminationonthesubjectmatterpresented.TheSpecialCommitteedecidesifthestudentpasses,failsorreceivesaconditionalpass;thisbecomespartoftherecordwiththeGraduateSchool.

VIII.TRANSITIONS

A.MatriculationintotheDVM-PhDProgram

AreyouaDVM-PhDstudentoraDVMorPhDstudents?Youareallthingsatalltimes!Youwillworkinthe laboratory and be in the classroom during the first year and a half of veterinary professionaltraining.Youwillbeco-mingledwithalargeclassofDVMstudentsandbecomeafull-fledgedmemberof that class. You will be graduating in a different DVM class than you started in, and during yourclinicalrotationsyoumaybeunderthesupervisionofresidentswhomighthavebeenyourclassmateearlier.Asone recent graduate said: “I startedVet School andmet a greatbunchof people,when IreenteredVetSchoolaftermyPhD,Imetanothergreatbunchofpeople.Ihavetwiceasmanyfriendsandcolleagues.”Remembertoothatyouarethebeneficiaryofmanyprivileges,whichmeansthatyouwill be held to a high(er) standard and this can be stressful, and sometimes feel unfair. Alwaysremember that though the laboratory is exciting, and may be your eventual calling, while in theMedicalCollegeyouaretrainingtobecomeaclinician–totakecareofpatients.Actaccordingly!Thatsaid, you will (or should) approach the material with a more questioning attitude than many DVMstudents would; however, you should not go overboard doing so. As a clinician-scientist you are

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expectedtobeskepticalofauthority–andyettofunctionwellwithintheacceptedbehavioralnormsof the veterinarymedical profession,which as for other professionshas awell-developedhierarchy.Finally, as aDVM-PhD student, your training involves a series of transitions that set you apart frombothDVMandPhDstudents.Yourfellow,DVMorPhDstudentswillnotalwaysunderstandthestressesthesetransitionscreate;buttheProgramleadershipwill.

B.FromProfessionalProgramtoGraduateSchool

ThetransitionfromtheProfessionalProgramtotheGraduateSchoolmaybestressful. First,youwillbeginyour thesiswork. Second, yourDVMProgram ispredictableandyour life is structuredby thecurricular demands. Laboratory research, in contrast, is inherently less structured and routinelyobtaininggoodqualitydatatakespractice.Youneedtoidentifyasuitablethesisproject,whichdespitethebestplanningmayturnouttobeadeadend–orcauseunexpecteddifficulties.Youalsowillworryabout how you will “fit” into the laboratory: will you get along with your advisor; will your thesisproject continue to excite you? These concerns are common for all DVM-PhD students. Relax, eventhough the concerns are real, they are manageable – and your predecessors in the Program havemanagedthemsuccessfully!

C.FromGraduateSchoolBacktotheProfessionalProgram

The transition fromGraduateSchoolback to theProfessionalProgramcausesevenmore stress.Youleavetherelativefreedomofthelaboratoryforthestructureoftheclinicaltraining,whereyouarepartof a team and where your activities are to a large extent dictated by your responsibilities for yourpatients. It is difficult tomake the transition froma recognized expert in your field of research to a(somewhatunprepared“rusty”)DVMstudent.YouhavebeenawayfromtheProfessionalProgramfor3years,ormore.Yes,inthefirstfewweeksyouwillnotknowasmuchastheotherDVMstudentsinyourclass–andtomakemattersworse,youwillnotevenknowyourfellowstudents,asyouusuallywillbethesoleDVM-PhDstudent.Fortunately,youarereenteringtheDVMPrograminBlock5a,whichmaybedescribedasthepre-clinical lecturesandlabs.Thehoursarelongandthetestscomeevery2weeks.So,youhavetheopportunity tocatchup fast!Donotunderestimatethe impactofwhatyouhavelearnedduringyourthesisresearchandhowitwillhelpyouintheclinic.Youranimalhandlingandproceduresskillsmayberusty,butthedepthofunderstandingyoubringtothepracticeofmedicineshouldbeenhanced.Youhavegottenathoroughtraininginbasicbiologicalmechanisms.Youalsoaretrainedtodigestlargeamountsofmaterial,toformulateworkinghypotheses,andtoplanandexecutethe experiments thatwill allow you to test your hypotheses. These same skills are invaluable in theclinical setting– and youwill find that you remembermoreof theProfessional curriculum than youthoughtyoudid.

D.FromtheDVM-PhDProgramtoPostgraduateClinical/PostdoctoralTraining

Thesearchfor internshipandresidencyprograms,or forapost-doctoral researchposition isanotherperiodofstress.Youwillapplywhenyouhavebeenthroughonlyafractionofyourclinics,andyouarelikelytobeuncertainaboutyourgoals. Youmayalsofeelthatyourskillset isnotasdevelopedas itshould be. The decisions you make are important, but relax (a little) – medicine and biomedicalresearcharechangingrapidly,andnobodycanplanformorethanthreeyears,orso, intothefuture.Maintain as much flexibility as possible. Remember the postgraduate clinical training programs arelookingforclinicians,peoplewhotakegoodcareofpatients.Thatyouaretrainedinresearchisaplus,

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butnoamountofresearchtraining(orpublications)willmakeupforapoorrecordinyourProfessionalProgram!Gradesmatter,anditisimportantto“makeagoodimpression”–asafutureclinician.

IX.ADMINISTRATIVEISSUES

A.Funding

DVM-PhD degree students will receive substantial financial incentives to complete both degrees.Stipends will be paid during summer laboratory rotations and throughout the PhD portion of theprogram. Stipends will be in accordance with the BBS Graduate Program stipend rate and will befundedbythefacultymentor.StipendswillnotbeprovidedwhileintheProfessionalDegreeprogram.Graduateschooltuitionandfeeswillbepaidbythestudent'sfacultymentorduringthePhDportionoftheprogram.However,theCollegewillprovideatuitionloanfortheveterinaryschooltuitioncoveringtheyearsthatthestudentispartoftheprogram,whichtheCollegewillforgiveonceboththeDVMandPhD degree programs are completed. Health insurance, through Cornell's SHIP (Student HealthInsurance Plan),will be provided throughout the seven years of training.While a DVM student, theCVMwill pay for this.While a graduate student, the facultymentorwill provide support for healthinsurance.

B.Interview/Recruitment/Mentorship

DVM-PhDstudentsparticipateintheinterview/recruitmentofnewCombinedDegreestudentsduringthe Interview Days (in February and March). They can also be asked to mentor the new studentscomingintotheprogram.

C.PublicationsandAcknowledgments

Students,whoare/havebeensupportedbyanyfellowship,shouldacknowledgethatsupportaswellasthe source of funds supporting the research in any publications. Money begets money; previousfunding support is a sign of success. Students should provide the OGE with two copies of anypublication(exceptabstractsandtheirthesis)onwhichtheyareanauthororco-author.TheOfficewillcollect thepublications fromeach year in bound volumes, so pleaseprovide reprints or theURL foryourarticletotheProgramOfficeassoonaspossibleafterpublication.

D.Vacation

StudentsmaytakeanannualvacationinaccordancewithpolicysetbytheGraduateSchoolandtheirresearchmentor.Although,vacationtimeduringtheDVMyearswillfollowtheacademiccalendarandthepolicyoftheDVMProgram,asaDVM-PhDDegreestudentyouareexpectedtoconsultwithyourresearchmentorregardingvacations.Forstudentsdoingtheirthesisresearch,thetimingofvacationsshouldbeagreeduponbetweenstudentandthesisadvisor.GrievancescanbebroughttotheProgramDirector.

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E.SickLeave

AsaPhDDegreestudent,youmaycontinuetoreceivestipendsforupto15daysofsickleaveperyear.Sickleavemaybeusedformedicalconditionsrelatedtopregnancyandchildbirth.

F.ParentalLeave

While in thePhDdegreeprogram,studentsmayreceivestipends forupto30daysofparental leaveperyearfortheadoptionorthebirthofachild.Theuseofparentalleavemustberequestedatleast30daysinadvanceoftheanticipatedbeginningdate,andmustbeapprovedbytheProgramDirectorand,whenappropriate,thethesisadvisor.ThereisnoparentalleaveforDVMstudents;studentwillneedtotakeaLeaveofAbsencefromtheDVMProgram.

G.UnpaidLeave

WhileinthePhDdegreeprogram,studentsrequiringextendedperiodsoftimeawayfromtheirtrainingexperience,whichcouldincludemorethan15daysofsickleaveand/ormorethan30daysofparentalleave,mustseekapprovalfromthechairoftheirSpecialCommitteeandfromtheProgramDirectorforanunpaidleaveofabsence.Wheneverpossible,approvalforaleaveofabsencemustberequestedinadvanceoftheleave.

H.WithdrawalfromtheProgram

StudentswhocontemplatewithdrawalfromtheDVM-PhDProgramshouldrecognizethatwithdrawalhas serious repercussions, as they will lose all DVM-PhD “privileges” including stipend and tuitionsupport. Assuming they otherwise are in good academic standing, and with the permission of theProgramDirector,studentswhowithdrawfromtheProgramcanmatriculateintheProfessionalDegreeProgram or the Graduate School, where they will be subject to the policies and graduationrequirementsthatapplytosingle-degreeDVMorPhDstudents.

I.ProtectionofIntellectualPropertyRights

A studentmay not enter into any legal agreement involving their researchwithout consulting theiradvisorandtheDVM-PhDProgramDirector.Manyorganizationsandinvestigatorsthatsupplyresearchmaterials, which could be in the form of access to proprietary databases, insist that a MaterialsTransferAgreement,orasimilardocument,besignedbytherecipient.Thesearelegaldocuments,andtheir wording may place (severe) restrictions on the use, and outcome of any use, of the suppliedmaterials. Ifastudentusessuchsuppliedmaterialstomakeapatentablediscovery,thestudentmaydiscoverthatitisthesupplierofthematerialsandnotthestudentwhoownstheinvention.Therefore,donotviewsuchdocumentslightly,anddonotsignanyagreementthathasthepotentialtolimityourights toanydiscoverywithout seekingadvice. As a general rule, students shouldavoid signinganysuchdocumentsandreferthemattertotheiradvisor.

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AppendixA.GettingStarted:SummerProgramsandResearchRotations

Students are expected to complete all necessary information required to matriculate in the DVMprogram as per the Cornell DVM Program guidelines, and communicated by that office.While it ispossibletoenrollintheDVMprogrambeforecompletingabachelor'sdegree,allstudentsenrollinginCornell'sgraduateschoolarerequiredtohavecompletedabachelor'sdegreeorequivalentbeforetheymatriculate, and the OGE must have received final, official transcripts from the undergraduateinstitutionconfirmingthattheappropriatedegreewasreceived.

FirstSummerandSecondSummer.TheDVM-PhDDegreeProgramrequiresnewlyacceptedstudentstocompletetheir first researchrotation inthesummerbeforeenteringtheDVMprogram. Studentsshould apply to the Cornell Veterinary Investigator Program to ensure that their summer researchrotation is organized before they arrive, and to receive a summer stipend. Incoming students arerequested to consult with the Program Director and the DGS of CBS before submitting their VIProtationselection.Itisimperativethatstudentsrotateinlabsthatarewellfundedandthatcanassumetheresponsibilityoftraininganewgraduatestudent.

1.CornellVeterinaryInvestigatorProgram(VIP)

The VIP program is designed to provide first- and second-year veterinary students with a focusedbiomedical research experience. The main objectives of the program are to provide veterinarystudentswitharigorousandrewardingexposuretobiomedicalresearchatthehighestlevelofinquiryand tomotivate students to pursue the study of research problems that are relevant to veterinarymedicine.Specifically,eachstudentwilldevelop:

• researchskills

• anappreciationforthevalueofbiomedicalresearchinveterinarymedicine

• adesiretopursueacareerthatinvolvesbiomedicalresearch

Moreinformationisfound:http://www.vet.cornell.edu/oge/investigator/

2.LeadershipProgramforVeterinaryStudents

TheLeadershipProgramforVeterinaryStudentsatCornellUniversity isauniquesummerexperienceforthosewhoseektobroadlyinfluencetheveterinaryprofessionthroughascience-basedcareer.Itisanintensive,research-orientedprogramcombiningfaculty-guidedresearchwithvocationalcounseling,student-directed learning, and other professional enrichment activities. Approximately 25 veterinarystudents from the United States and abroad are accepted into the program annually. Qualifiedapplicants are highly motivated individuals who have distinguished themselves in a variety ofprofessional and personal pursuits. The life experiences, culture, and academic backgrounds ofqualified applicants are diverse, but all possesses the ability to become future leaders in academicveterinary medicine and the biomedical sciences at large. More information is found:http://www.vet.cornell.edu/OGE/Leadership/

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AppendixB:Outlineofthe7YearTrainingProgramforDVM-PhDStudents

1st researchrotation

3rd researchrotation- SelectPhDmentorbytheendof3rd rotation

Summer Fall Spring

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

DVMcurriculum- 1st yearofDVM

DVMcurriculum-2nd yearofDVM

DVMcurriculum- 4th yearofDVM

DVMcurriculum- 4th yearofDVM

DVMcurriculum- 4th yearofDVM

Finishthesis DVMcurriculum- 3rd yearofDVM

DVMcurriculum- 3rd yearofDVM

DVMcurriculum- 2nd yearofDVM

DVMcurriculum- 1st yearofDVM- 2nd researchrotation

Graduatestudies- Beginworkinmentor’s

lab- Formspecialcommittee

Graduatestudies- SpecialcommitteemeetingreportdueJuly1st

Graduatestudies- SpecialcommitteemeetingreportdueJuly1st

Graduatestudies-SpecialcommitteemeetingreportdueJuly1st-PetitionforanextrayearoutofDVMifnecessary

Graduatestudies

A-exam

B-exam

Graduatestudies Graduatestudies

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AppendixC.AdviceonPreparingPetitions

Therearetwotimesduringyourprogramthatyoumaybeaskedtoprepareformalpetitions.Herearetheproceduresandtipsinordertoprepareasuccessfulpetition.

1.ResearchforDVMCourseCredit

DVMstudentsmay register for research in the (VTMED6X99)distributionblockperiods, forup to4creditsperyearforatotalof15credits.ForDVM-PhDstudents,thisopportunityismostusefulintheir1styearoftheDVMprogramwhentheyareseekingtocompletetheir2ndlabrotation.

The appropriate form can be obtained from the College Registrar, Ms Paige Frey. You will need toprovide a brief description of your research objectives and youwill need the signature of a facultymember in the CVM. If your researchwill be done in the laboratory of someonewho is not on theCollegefaculty,youshouldrequestthataCDOCmemberoramemberofyourSpecialCommitteesignsthe form.Pleasebeaware, thepersonsigning the form is responsible foryourgrade,even if it isanS/U.Youmustmeetwiththemtodiscussyourresearchonwhateverscheduletheysuggestoryoumaynotreceivecreditforyourwork.

2.ExtensionofThesisResearchPeriod

ThegoalforcompletingtheDVM-PhDtrainingissevenyears.Toaccomplishthis,studentstakea3yearleavefromtheDVMprogramtodotheirthesisresearchbeforereturningtotheDVMcurriculum.Werecognizethateachstudent’strainingprogramwillbeunique,andthatitisdifficulttopredicttherateofprogress.Students thereforeareencouraged toconsultwith their researchmentorand theDVM-PhDProgramDirectorregardinganydifficultiesthattheymayencounterthatarelikelytoaffecttheirprogressthroughtheProgram.

AccordingtoapolicyapprovedbytheCVMfacultyin2009,ifastudentingoodstandingisnotreadytoreturntotheDVMprogramafter3yearsofthesisresearch,andtheyhavesufficientevidencethattheywillbeabletofinishtheirresearchina4thyear,theymaypetitiontheCDOCandtheDVMCurriculumCommitteefora1-yearextensionoftheirthesisresearchperiod.Iftheyfailtodothisinatimelyway,they must return to the DVM class. Failing to petition or return to the DVM class will requirereapplicationforadmissiontotheDVMprogram.

Procedures:

PleasesubmityourpetitiontotheCDOCinthesummerofYear5.DonothesitatetoseekadvicefromaCDOCmemberwhilepreparingthisdocument.

• Itemstoincludeinthepetition:o Summaryofcurrentresearchproject.o Futureplansforadditionalyearofresearch(includingtimetable).o Addresshowveterinaryskillswillbemaintainedduringthisperiod.o LetterofsupportfromSpecialCommitteeChair.

• StudentsubmitspetitiontotheCDOCforreviewandtheirvote.o StudentwillreceivecommunicationfromtheCDOC.o If approved,CDOCwill inform theDVMCurriculumCommitteeof their endorsement

andaskthemtoreviewandvoteonthepetitionaswell.o BoththeCDOCandDVMCurriculumCommitteeneedtoapprovethepetition.

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AppendixD:DVMCurriculum

26

AppendixE.ProfessionalConduct

AsDVM-PhDstudentsyouareenteringaprofession,andyouwillfromyourfirstdayintheProgramberegardedasjuniormembersofthatprofession.Youshouldbehaveaccordingly.ThetermProfessionalConducthasmanyimplicationsandallstudentsshouldfamiliarizethemselveswiththeCornellCodeofAcademicIntegrityandtheHonorCodeoftheDVMProgram.

TheaimoftheCodeistofosteranatmosphereofacademicandprofessionalintegrity, inwhicheachindividualacceptsresponsibilityfortheirbehavior.TheCodeestablishesnormsthatwillguideyouasyoustrugglewiththe,attimesdifficult,moralandethicalquestionsthatwillariseinyourcareerasabiomedicalinvestigator.Thenatureofthequestionsthatarisewillchangeovertime,aswillyourownappreciationoftheissuesinvolved;butthebasicprincipleswillremaininvariant.

Somenormsare self-evident, suchas theabsoluteprohibitionagainstplagiarismandother scientificmisconduct. Other norms aremore subtle, such as those pertaining to your interactionswith yourcolleagues,advisorsandotherfaculty,andeventuallyyourpatients.Thisinvolvesthreerelatedissues:howyoubehave,howyoucommunicate,andhowyoutreattheinformationyoureceive.

You are in training to become a clinician-scientist, which means that you will have clinicalresponsibilities–at leastwhileyouarecompletingyourclinical training in theProfessionalProgram.Youwill be responsible for yourpatients’ lives andwell-being,whichmeans that youmusthave thecompetencies needed to practice your chosen profession. You also have special responsibilities intermsofhowyoubehavetowardyourpatients–youshowcompassionandrespect.Yourinteractionswithcolleaguesandfacultyshouldbeatthesamehighlevel.

Scienceprogressesbecausescientistsexchangeinformation,anditisimportantthatyoucommunicateaccurately,effectivelyandwithappropriateconsiderationforthepeopleyoucommunicatewith.Thisrequirement goes beyond the mere exchange of scientific information; it applies to all yourprofessionalinteractions–includingthosepertainingtoyourmedicaleducationandclinicalactivities–fromyourfirstdayintheProgram.

Youwillbethebeneficiaryofconfidentialinformation:fellowstudentswilldiscusstheirnewestresultsandyouwillexchangeinformationaboutdifferent laboratories;at labmeetingsyoulearnaboutyourcolleagues’ exciting results; you read their grantapplicationsandmanuscripts; andyouwill begivenmanuscriptstoreviewforjournals.Someoftheinformationthatcomesyourwaycanbedisseminatedfreely; butmuchof the information isprivileged,meaning that it canbedisseminatedonlywith theexplicitapprovalofthe individualswhogaveyouthe information. Ifyouare indoubtwhethersomeinformation is privileged, you should assume it tobe sountil youhavepermission todiscuss itwithothers.Breachesofconfidentialityareseriousviolationsofprofessionalconduct.Youneedtouseyourjudgment–atalltimes!

Thiscombinationofcompetency,honestyandconfidentialityisthehallmarkofprofessionalintegrity.

Finally,asDVM-PhDstudentyouhavemanyprivileges.Theseprivilegesarenotentitlements;youhavetoearnthem–byperformingataconsistentlyhighlevel.Noblesseoblige!

RevisedAugust2017byHM