Veterinary Medicine
DVM Degree
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, in conjunction with the passage of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and state licensing examinations, allows one to become a practicing veterinarian. Veterinarians are trained to diagnose diseases, perform surgery, formulate treatment plans, and prescribe medication to animals. In addition to caring for pets, livestock, and exotic/wild animals, veterinarians are employed in many other sectors, including research, the armed forces, and in protecting the safety of our food supply.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, in conjunction with Colorado State University (CSU) offers a 2+2 combined DVM professional program. Students in this program complete the first two (non-clinical) years of a DVM degree at UAF, and then complete their training (including clinical training) in Fort Collins, CO, at CSU. Students in our program qualify to take the NAVLE, and earn their DVM from CSU.
Students must have completed the necessary prerequisites for CSU as outlined here, and must apply for our 2+2 program using the Veterinary Medical College Application Service. Learn more about our veterinary medicine program here.
O.H.M. Degree
One Health encompasses the relationship between human health, animal health and the health of the environment, holding that these entities are inextricably linked to the extent that none can be optimal unless they are all optimal. One Health is interdisciplinary and inclusive; it invites the full participation of community members working together with scientists, health practitioners, tribal leaders, and government agency personnel to identify problems and create realistic, sustainable solutions to those problems.
The One Health Master’s degree program educates students to use a constructionist approach to address issues in the circumpolar North that are at the intersection of human, animal and environmental health. By concentrating in either community advocacy or biomedical sciences, graduates of the program will be able to engage key stakeholders to develop and implement realistic management plans that can then be implemented in communities across the circumpolar North.
Minimum Requirements for One Health Master's Degree: 30 credits
Learn more about the master’s degree in one health, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
Course Lists by Subject
Biomedical Science (BMSC)
BMSC F214 Introduction to Biomedical Research (s)
2 Credits
Offered Fall
This seminar aims to introduce students to research methods by providing students who are new to research and research methods opportunities to learn about, discuss and conduct ethical activities in a low stress, small group seminar setting. Organized in a small group, seminar format, the ultimate objective is for seminar participants to develop self-efficacy and interest in pursuing research methods courses and research opportunities early on and throughout their undergraduate studies.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BMSC F224 Entering Research: Undergraduate Research Experience
2 Credits
Offered Spring
Required course for BLaST scholars and open to all UAF students. This course will facilitate mentored research experience for undergraduate students. Students will participate in advanced research topics from outside the usual undergraduate laboratory offerings. Course will conclude with a semester research report and presentation on research activities.
Prerequisites: BMSC F214.
Special Notes: Students will be required to actively participate in research activities and report on progress and growth throughout the course.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BMSC F314 Research Project Foundations
1 Credit
Offered Fall
Supports undergraduate research projects with strategies and methodologies when establishing a scientific research project. Also foster the personal, academic and career growth of the student. Topics include personal wellness, academic and career planning, mentoring relationships, project management, scientific writing, and communication strategies.
Prerequisites: BMSC F224.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BMSC F324 Biomedical Research Skills
1 Credit
Offered Spring
Biomedical Research Skills supports student research projects by highlighting foundational skills, methodologies and techniques commonly used in biomedical research. Guest speakers from UAF and BLaST research community present and share their experience with students through discussions, primary literature and visits to UAF laboratories. Open to any UAF undergraduate student.
Prerequisites: BMSC F314.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
One Health (OH)
OH F699 One Health Thesis
1-12 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 99 credits
Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
DVM F480 Skeleton Articulation
1 Credit
Offered Spring
Skeleton assembly of species, from birds to mammals, depending on availability. The majority of this course is hands-on articulation of skeletons that have been cleaned and prepared prior to class. The lab will be supplemented with lectures covering bones, joint types, and biologically accurate limb and joint angles.
Prerequisites: BIOL F111X, BIOL F112X or BIOL F310.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
DVM F603 Veterinary Science Research and Methods
1 Credit
Offered Fall
This course will illustrate the role of research in furthering the practice of veterinary medicine by presenting a series of lectures from clinical and basic science investigators, faculty and staff who will describe important elements of the research process. The course will also describe possible career opportunities to students in animal health research.
Prerequisites: Admittance to the professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F606 Veterinary Immunology
3 Credits
Offered Fall
The aim of this course is to educate Veterinary Medicine students on fundamental aspects of immunology, including functional anatomy and mechanisms of the innate and adaptive immunity in animals, immunological mechanisms of animal disease, principles of vaccination, and how to apply immunology in diagnosis of diseases.
Prerequisites: Admittance to the professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F610 Foundations of Veterinary Medicine
1 Credit
Offered Fall
The first semester of a four-course series in foundations of veterinary medicine. The full course series will encompass topics in ethics, communication, physical exam skills, surgical skills, clinical reasoning and professional development. This course will help you develop the professional skills necessary for the successful practice of veterinary medicine.
Prerequisites: Admittance to the professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F611 Foundations of Veterinary Medicine II
1 Credit
Offered Spring
The second semester of a four-course series in foundations of veterinary medicine. The full course series will encompass topics in ethics, communication, physical exam skills, surgical skills, clinical reasoning and professional development. This course will help you develop the professional skills necessary for the successful practice of veterinary medicine.
Prerequisites: DVM F610.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 5 + 5 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F615 One Health Concepts
2 Credits
Offered Fall
This course introduces students to the One Health paradigm with emphasis on its application in the circumpolar North. Students explore the relationships between human, animal and environmental health. This holistic approach incorporates knowledge from natural and social sciences, history and culture of communities, traditional knowledge, laws, and government regulations.
Prerequisites: Admission to the One Health Masters.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F616 Functional Anatomy
8 Credits
Offered Fall
Introduction to veterinary anatomy including basic orientation, nomenclature, locomotion apparatus, circulatory system, digestive, respiratory apparatus, lymphatic organs and nervous system of domestic animals. Anatomical knowledge will be placed in a clinical context. General explanation and hands-on experience in anatomical preparation techniques.
Prerequisites: Admittance to the professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 5 + 6 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F618 Veterinary Physiology and Histology
7 Credits
Offered Fall
The course will discuss the histology and physiology of domestic animal organ systems, tissues, cartilage, bone, muscle, arthrology, nervous system, hematopoiesis, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems; the renal system and physiology. The course will help to place the knowledge in histology and physiology in a clinical context.
Prerequisites: Admittance to the professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 6 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F619 Veterinary Neurobiology
4 Credits
Offered Spring
Students will learn information on neurologic conditions in domesticated animals. A problem-oriented approach makes it easy to diagnose and treat neurologic problems in domesticated animals. The coverage of disorders by problem, not by established disease diagnosis, emulates how animals present to the veterinary hospital and simplifies the formulation of a correct diagnosis.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-semester veterinary courses.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F620 One Health Challenges in the Circumpolar North
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Students are introduced to various tools and techniques to use a constructionist approach through a One Health lens to address significant issues in the circumpolar North. Students will learn to identify One Health challenges, gather information, engage stakeholders, communicate across several disciplines, build consensus, and develop action plans.
Prerequisites: DVM F615; admission to the One Health master's degree program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F621 One Health Colloquium
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Building on the concepts developed in DVM F615 and the tools utilized in DVM F620, this course provides students with the opportunity to work completely through a One Health challenge, including engagement of stakeholders, gathering of data, proposal of solutions, and presentation of management plans in a public forum.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Masters of One Health and completion of both DVM F615 and DVM F620.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F623 Veterinary Nutrition and Metabolism
2 Credits
Offered Spring
This course will examine the nutritional needs of major species of veterinary importance. The discussion will revolve around specific nutritional needs as they relate to life stages and the production status of monogastric and ruminant animals. Course topics deal with the classification and function of nutrients, digestive processes and evaluation.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-semester veterinary courses.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F625 Principles of Diagnostic Imaging
2 Credits
Offered Fall
This course will include an introduction to radiographic anatomy of small and large animals; introduction to X-ray, MRI and CT. The course will help to place the anatomical knowledge into clinical context.
Prerequisites: Admittance to the professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F637 Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology
2 Credits
Offered Spring
This course will discuss bacterial structure, differences between bacterial families, and fungi and their pathogenesis. The basic principles of bacterial and fungal pathogenesis will be presented. Host response to bacterial or fungal infection, immunity and the role of vaccines in disease prevention will be explained.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-semester veterinary courses.
Cross-listed with BIOL F632.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F639 Veterinary Virology
2 Credits
Offered Spring
This course will explore current concepts in the field of veterinary virology, with an emphasis on the viral structure, viral genetic material and viral replication strategies of various animal viruses. In addition, mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of viral infection will be presented.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-semester veterinary courses.
Cross-listed with BIOL F639.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F640 Veterinary Pathology/Biology of Disease I
5 Credits
Offered Spring
This course will discuss basic principles of disease with special emphasis on processes likely to be encountered veterinary practice. We will discuss these topics organized by underlying disease mechanism. The discussions will move from general cell-mediated processes to more specific disease mechanisms.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-semester veterinary courses.
Cross-listed with BIOL F640.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F641 Professional Explorations Externship
1 Credit
Offered Fall, Spring and Summer
This externship is designed for students to explore various aspects of veterinary medicine and gain hands-on experience and exposure to different areas of the profession. This course is an opportunity for students to apply their classroom learning in a practical or clinical setting.
Prerequisites: DVM F610 and permission of the instructor.
Special Notes: Available to DVM students after completion of the first semester.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 3
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 3 times for up to 3 credits
DVM F648 Food Animal Production and Food Safety
2 Credits
Offered Spring
This course is designed to provide an understanding of food animal agriculture and food quality assurance. Students will explore contemporary production management systems of traditional and non-traditional food animal species. Animal welfare issues related to the raising of animals for food will be investigated. Students will learn where veterinary medicine fits into the protection of the human food supply.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-semester veterinary courses.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F681 Performance Dog Medicine and Surgery
2 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the different types of performance dog activities, to identify the unique demands, husbandry, management issues and basic physiological impacts of each category of performance exercise and to gain a basic understanding of commonly observed injuries and their prevention/treatment.
Prerequisites: Good standing in professional veterinary program.
Special Notes: This course is designed for veterinarians and veterinary students- the information provided is only partially covered during the regular DVM curriculum and hence no other prerequisites are required.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F690 One Health Internship
2-4 Credits
Offered Fall, Spring and Summer
This is an experiential learning opportunity for students to engage with non-profit, governmental and community-based organizations. The goal of this internship is to link classroom learning and student interests in an applied setting. Students will create a reflection on their experience demonstrating how they addressed specific learning goals.
Prerequisites: DVM F615; DVM F620; DVM F621 (may be taken concurrently).
Lecture + Lab + Other: 6 + 0 + 90-160
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F710 Foundations of Veterinary Medicine III
1 Credit
Offered Fall
Third in four-course series in foundations of veterinary medicine. Full series encompasses topics in: ethics, communication, physical exam skills, surgical skills, clinical reasoning, professional development. Expanded physical examination of companion animals and livestock is taught with special emphasis on advanced cardiopulmonary auscultation, mammary gland evaluation, otic exam and colic evaluation.
Prerequisites: DVM F611.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F711 Foundations of Veterinary Medicine IV
1 Credit
Offered Spring
Fourth semester of four-course series. The full course series will encompass topics in ethics, communication, physical exam skills, surgical skills, clinical reasoning and professional development. Expanded physical examination of companion animals and livestock will be taught, with special emphasis on advanced techniques in reproduction, surgical skills, anesthesia and patient management.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of DVM F710.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F714 Preventative Veterinary Medicine
4 Credits
Offered Fall
The course will provide understanding of host/disease/agent interaction and the essential steps in disease outbreak investigation. Clinical and herd-based scenarios will be used for discussion of epidemiologic principles, features of zoonotic disease, and specific biosecurity and infectious-control issues as they relate to food safety and livestock production.
Prerequisites: Veterinary medicine student in good standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F722 Veterinary Pharmacology
4 Credits
Offered Fall
This course covers basic principles of pharmacology of common drugs and basic mechanisms of action. Individual agents will be introduced as examples. As a medicine course, the proper and effective use of drugs will be reviewed, including basics of veterinary therapeutics for selected classes of agents across selected species.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all required first-year courses in DVM program, including advancement to year two.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F724 Veterinary Bioanalytical Pathology
6 Credits
Offered Fall
Professional veterinary program requirement studying pathology, hematology, biochemistry and cytopathology.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first year professional veterinary medical program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 5 + 2 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F726 Principles of Imaging Interpretation
2 Credits
Offered Spring
This is the first of a two-part series in imaging interpretation. This course covers gastrointestinal, thoracic and cardiac imaging. The second part of the course is held in the fall of the third year at Colorado State (VM728) and will cover equine and small-animal musculoskeletal, urinary tract and neurological imaging.
Prerequisites: Good standing in professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 1
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F733 Principles of Surgery
2 Credits
Offered Spring
This course teaches principles and concepts of general and orthopedic surgery, including aseptic technique, surgical instrumentation, suture patterns, tissue healing and wound management. These topics comprise core material that prepares veterinary students for specific surgery.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-year veterinary medical program; good standing in professional veterinary medicine program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F735 Animal Welfare
2 Credits
Offered Fall
This course will provide knowledge, skill development and tools necessary for professionals to assess and promote animal welfare and to analyze its associated challenges. It will stress the need for perpetual reassessment of animal welfare knowledge and reinforce the professional's role in staying up-to-date and proactive.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year of veterinary school, or graduate student with approval of instructor.
Cross-listed with BIOL F641.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F737 Principles of Veterinary Anesthesia
3 Credits
Offered Spring
This course is an introduction to the principles of clinical anesthesia. This course serve as a foundation that supports and reinforces your knowledge of the basic sciences, and provide you with the opportunity to begin to get a feel for integrating those disciplines into making medical judgments in veterinary anesthesia.
Prerequisites: Good standing in the professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 2 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F741 Biology of Disease II- Pathology of Organ Systems
4 Credits
Offered Fall
The course will discuss basic principles of disease with special emphasis on organ system diseases most likely to be encountered in veterinary practice. The discussions will move from general cell-mediated processes to more specific disease mechanisms in a variety of domestic and exotic species.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first year of courses in the professional veterinary curriculum.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 2 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F742 Biology of Disease III - Pathology of Organ Systems II
3 Credits
Offered Spring
The course will discuss principles of disease with emphasis on organ disease likely to be encountered in veterinary practice. The discussions will move from general cell-mediated processes to more specific disease mechanisms. The goals for this course are to enable students to apply this knowledge and become competent veterinary practitioners.
Prerequisites: Good standing in the professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 2 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F744 Theriogenology
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Will familiarize students with reproductive organs of large and small animals: regulation of function, reproductive endocrinology, reproductive cycles, and the physiology and pathology of reproduction.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first year veterinary medical program; good standing in professional veterinary medicine program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 2 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
DVM F745 Clinical Sciences I
5 Credits
Offered Spring
This course is an introduction to clinical reasoning and problem solving as a diagnostician. Diagnostic approaches to common medical problems of cardiovascular, urinary and digestive-hepatic systems.
Prerequisites: Second year professional veterinary medicine program; student in good standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 10 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F747 Clinical Sciences II
5 Credits
Offered Spring
Continuation of clinical reasoning and problem-solving as a diagnostician. Diagnostic approaches to common medical problems of cardiac and pulmonary systems and fluid and electrolyte disorders of small and large animals.
Prerequisites: Second year professional veterinary medicine program; student in good standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 10 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F751 Veterinary Clinical Toxicology
2 Credits
Offered Fall
This course will provide an overview of clinical toxicology relevant to veterinarians.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all required first-year courses in DVM program, including advancement to year two.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
DVM F776 Veterinary First Principles
2 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
This course teaches students how to approach veterinary medicine from first principles of form and function. Building on anatomy and physiology knowledge, DVM students will develop a standard operating procedure for logical problem-solving in veterinary medicine. This course will teach critical thinking and clinical reasoning through facilitated discussion.
Prerequisites: Completion of first semester of veterinary school.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
DVM F777 Strategies for Establishing and Maintaining Well-being in the Veterinary Profession
1 Credit
Offered Fall
This course will investigate and demonstrate methods for maintaining well-being while managing the stress associated with membership in the veterinary profession. Strategies for time management, life balance, nutrition, exercise and recovery will be discussed as means of enhancing well-being and preventing professional burnout, which is widespread in the profession today.
Prerequisites: Good standing in the professional veterinary program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Dr. Alireza Badiei, DVM, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Immunology
University of Alaska Fairbanksabadiei@alaska.edu
Dr. John Blake, DVM
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks Attending Veterinarian
Dr. Blake is the Director of the Animal Resources Center and has been integral in setting up the Professional Veterinary program.
Dr. Morag Clinton, DVM (equivalent), Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Anatomy
University of Alaska Fairbanksmclinton2@alaska.edu
Dr. Cristina M. Hansen, DVM, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Veterinary Physiology
University of Alaska Fairbankscmhansen@alaska.edu
Dr. Tuula Hollmen, DVM (equivalent), Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor Physiological Ecology and Biomedicine
University of Alaska Fairbankstuulah@alaskasealife.org
Dr. Karsten Hueffer, DVM (equivalent – Tierarzt), Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Department of Veterinary Medicine
Professor of Microbiology and Comparative Biomedical Sciences
University of Alaska Fairbankskhueffer@alaska.edu
Dr. Joanne McCrea, VMD, cMAV, IVCA certified
Assistant Professor of Large Animal Medicine
University of Alaska Fairbanksjemccrea@alaska.edu
Dr. Molly Murphy, DVM, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVP
Assistant Professor of Veterinary Pathology
University of Alaska Fairbanksmdmurphy@alaska.edu
Dr. Gregory Pietsch, DVM
Assistant Professor of Small Animal/Internal Medicine
University of Alaska Fairbanksgpietsch@alaska.edu
Dr. Arleigh Reynolds, DVM, Ph.D. Diplomate ACVN
Professor Clinical Nutrition
University of Alaska Fairbanksajreynolds@alaska.edu
