(DVM/MSc) IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION MEDICINE

Program Overview

In response to the growing need for veterinarians trained in aspects of wildlife and its conservation, the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine offers a program leading to the dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/Master of Science (DVM/MSc) degree in Wildlife Conservation Medicine.

Aspects of conservation biology and veterinary medicine are integrated to highlight the interdependency of animal, human and environmental health.  Three key areas are addressed:
           

• Wildlife conservation and protected area management
• Management of free-ranging wildlife including diseases, epidemiology and immobilization
• Management and rehabilitation of captive wildlife

Several courses and a field-based practicum are taken during a two-month summer session in Uganda in collaboration with the School of Veterinary Medicine of Makerere University, Kampala. 

Curriculum

Students take a minimum of 34 credits and can choose between a Non-Research Track and a Research Track option:
 

Non-Research (Practicum) Track
Basic Courses	2 cr	Scientific Text Organization and Presentation
	3 cr	Biostatistics
	1 cr	MSc Seminar Participation
	3 cr	Capstone Paper and Seminar
Wildlife Courses	3 cr	Principles of Epidemiology
	2 cr	Wildlife Health and Diseases, Uganda
	2 cr	Wildlife Conservation and Management, Uganda
	2 cr	Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases of Wildlife, Uganda
	2 cr	Resource Utilization and Ecosystem Analysis, Uganda
	1 cr	Diseases of North American Wildlife
	1 cr	Wildlife Casualties
	2 cr	Management of Captive Wildlife
Practicum	4 cr	Guided Field Work, Uganda
	6 cr	Free-Choice Practicum
Total	34 cr
Research Track
Basic Courses	2 cr	Scientific Text Organization and Presentation
	3 cr	Biostatistics
	1 cr	Scientific Ethics
Thesis	19 cr	MSc Project Proposal and Seminar; Masters Thesis; MSc Thesis Seminar and Defense
Wildlife Courses	9  cr	Chosen of the Courses listed above in the Practicum Track
Total	34 cr

 

Time Requirements

The Master of Science component of the DVM/MSc dual degree program can be completed within the 3 years a student spends at the True Blue campus in Grenada.  Some MSc courses are completed during regular terms in addition to the DVM coursework; others and the  practicum requirements are fulfilled during the summer terms.  One entire summer (eight weeks) is spent in Uganda in the Practicum track.   If a DVM student chooses to do a research project e.g. in Uganda or elsewhere, or opts to enroll into the DVM/MSc program during the second or third term of study, it may be necessary to spend a total of 3 ½ years to complete the DVM/MSc program.

 

Career Prospects

With an ever growing market for exotic pets and a heightened awareness of public health related issues involving wildlife, job opportunities are increasing.  Wildlife Veterinarians typically find employment with:

• National and International Agencies concerned with conservation, wildlife health, disease  control, natural resource management, or wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
• Wildlife centers at universities
• Private veterinary clinics specializing in the care of exotic animals

For examples of available opportunities, please check the following organizations’ websites:

• American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians
• Wildlife Disease Association
• American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
• International Wildlife Rehabilitation Center,
• US – Fish and Wildlife Services

 

Contact Information

For more information about the MSc in Wildlife Conservation Medicine program, please contact:

Dr. Ravindra Sharma
Associate Dean of Graduate Studies
Email: rsharma@sgu.edu

Dr. Ulrike Zieger
Coordinator of the DVM/MSc Wildlife Program
Email: uzieger@sgu.edu

School of Veterinary Medicine
St. George’s University
PO Box 7
St. George’s, Grenada, West Indies

For more information on the DVM/MSc Program, or to request an application, please contact:

Office of Admission
c/o The North American Correspondent
University Support Services, LLC
3500 Sunrise Highway
Building 300
Great River, NY 11739
Phone: +1 (631) 665-8500
Email: sguenrolment@sgu.edu