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Degree Requirements

Deadlines:

MS: The Plan of Study is due on the first day of the second academic semester
PhD: The Plan of Study is due on the first day of the third acadmic semester

Basic Requirements:

Basic Requirements Ph.D. MS MS (Resident)
Total credits Min. 90 Min. 30 Min. 30
Research credits (5994/7994) (Must be taken at Virginia Tech) Min. 30 Min. 6 Min. 6
Course credits Min. 27 Min. 20 Min. 20
5000-level (or higher) credits Min. 21 Min. 14 Min. 14
4000-level credits (May include Special Study (4984) courses but may not include Undergraduate Independent Study (4974) or Undergraduate Research (4994) courses) Max. 6 Max. 6 Max. 6
Special Study (5984/6984) or Independent Study (5974) credits Max. 18 Max. 9 Max. 9

Course Requirements:

Required Courses Ph.D. MS MS (Resident)
BMVS 5094: Grnt Writing and Ethics 3 credits Optional Optional
BMVS 5174: Responsible Conduct of Research 1 credit 1 credit 1 credit
BMVS 5594: Current Technologies in Biomedical Sciences 1 credit 1 credit Optional
BMVS 5944: BMVS Seminar* 1, taken 4 times 1, taken 2-3 times 1, taken 1-3 times

BMVS 6014: Veterinary Clinical Sciences Residency
(Resident/MS students must enroll in BMVS 6014 every semester)

 N/A N/A 0, taken every semester
GRAD 5004: GTA Workshop 1 credit
 1 credit
 1 credit
GRAD 5144: Communicating Science 2 credits Optional Optional

Statistics
(Public Health students will take PHS 5025 Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Public Health)

 Min. 3 credits Min. 2 credits Min. 2 credits

Biochemistry or Molecular Biology
(Public Health students will take PHS 5004 Fundamentals of Public Health)

 Min. 3 credits Optional Optional

* Please note:

  • PhD students must enroll four times and present in seminar two of the four semesters registered
  • MS students must enroll two times and present a seminar in at least one of the two semesters registered.  May take a third time for credit.
  • One credit hour can be substituted with an alternative seminar with instructor approval.
  • Resident/MS students are excused from the non-presenting registration.

Required Course Details:

For course availability, please visit the VT Course Timetable.

For a full listing of available courses, please visit the VT Graduate Catalog.  

A framework for writing clear, concise grant proposals in a team-oriented, multidisciplinary approach from concept development through submission to a funding agency. Potential ethical dilemmas that may arise in academic, industrial, or federal research settings will be discussed.

PRE: Undergraduate courses in one of the following: organic chemistry (CHEM 2565/2566), cell and molecular biology (BIOL 2104), Concepts of Biochemistry (BCHM 2024), or equivalent. Graduate standing required.

Credit Hour(s): 3
Lecture Hour(s): 3
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):

Scientific integrity and responsible conduct of research as related to studies in life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, engineering, and humanities. Conflict of interest, human and animal subjects in research, mentor/mentee responsibilities, collaborative research, peer review, research misconduct, responsible authorship and publication, data management, sharing, and ownership, and legal issues in research.

Pre: Graduate Standing.

Credit Hour(s): 1
Lecture Hour(s): 1
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):

Current methodologies and techniques for hypothesis-driven scientific experimentation in biomedical research, including molecular biology approaches, microscopy, animal models, molecular applications, cell culture systems, large-scale omics methodologies, bioinformatics analyses, and clinical studies. Cutting-edge and novel approaches for designing experiments and interpreting the resulting data; review of scientific literature; and important considerations for the appropriateness and limitations of specific methods, approaches, and experimental models.

Pre: Graduate standing.

Credit Hour(s): 1
Lecture Hour(s): 1
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):

Presentations by graduate students on current topics in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences. Topics and responsibility for seminars is rotated among the professional departments of the college. Maximum 4 credits.

Credit Hour(s): 1
Lecture Hour(s): 1
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):

Advanced course with training and instruction in veterinary patient management. Supervised practicum in veterinary diagnosis and therapy in a veterinary teaching hospital. Material will include development of knowledge and skills for problem solving, performance of techniques, and effective communication. Regularly scheduled rounds and conferences will supplement daily activities. 0 credit. DVM degree required.

Credit Hour(s): 0
Lecture Hour(s): 0
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):

Instructor: Dr. Muhammad Hajj

When offered: Fall and Spring semesters

Description: This course provides an overview of the role and responsibilities of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA's) at Virginia Tech. Experienced faculty and GTAs provide informational sessions on topics such as principles and strategies for teaching and learning, effective use of technology, professional ethics, inclusivity in learning environments, effective classroom and laboratory communication and management, contemporary pedagogy, and more.

GTA Workshop webpage

GTA Workshop frequently asked questions

Credits: 1. Pass/Fail only.

Instructors: Selected faculty.

When offered: Fall and spring semesters

Description: Practice-based pedagogy techniques for effective communication about scientific, technical, and health research. Application of communication techniques across public and professional audiences and a variety of oral and written communication contexts

Credits: 2

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Lecture Hour(s):
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Research
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Independent Study
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19
Lecture Hour(s): 
Level: Graduate
Instruction Type(s): Research
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):