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

Course Structure

All students entering a DVM/MSc program at SGU-SVM must complete a total of 34 graduate course credits.

The 34 total credits comprise:

Thesis work (900 level): 19 credits
Basic Courses (800 level): 6 credits
Major Courses (800 level): 9 credits
Total: 34 credits

THESIS

The following 19 credits of 900 level courses have to be completed:

Prefix No. of Credits Subject
IDGS 900 1 MSc Seminar Participation
IDGS 901 1 MSc Project Proposal Seminar
IDGS 902 2 MSc Written Project Proposal
IDGS 903 12 Masters Thesis
IDGS 904 2 MSc Thesis Seminar
IDGS 905 1 MSc Thesis Defense

Research projects will be designed according to the student’s interest and may be conducted in Grenada or elsewhere. Examples of recent or current projects conducted in Grenada include:

 

  • Bacterial contamination of Leatherback Turtle eggs;
  • Parasitological and microbiological surveys of Cane Toads;
  • Pathogen surveys in mongooses including rabies.

BASIC COURSES 

The following 6 credits of Basic Courses (800 level) have to be completed by all MSc students irrespective of their major field:

Prefix No. of Credits Subject
BIOE 803 1 Scientific Ethics: Responsible Conduct of Research
MPTH 825 2 Scientific Text Organization and Presentation
PUBH 804 3 Biostatistics

MAJOR COURSES

A minimum of 9 credits of courses specific to the Wildlife Conservation Medicine degree program have to be completed. Courses will be chosen from the list below according to the student’s interest. Please note that this course list is still under development and that not all courses may be offered at a time convenient for every student.   

 

Prefix No. of Credits Subject
VSGP 814 1 Introduction to Conservation Medicine
VSGP 818 2 Wildlife Health and Diseases
PUBH 803 3 Principles of Epidemiology
PUBH 807 3 Environmental Health
VSGP 827 1 Diseases of North American Wildlife, Part 1
VSGP 828 1 Diseases of North American Wildlife, Part 2
VSGP 8xx 2 Pathology of Emerging and Exotic Diseases
VSGP 838 1 Wildlife Casualties
VSGP 807 1 Wildlife Parasitology
VSGP 824 1 Management of Captive Wildlife - Mammals
VSGP 825 1 Management of Captive Wildlife – Reptiles
VSGP 839 1 Management of Captive Wildlife – Birds

Time Requirements

The Master of Science component of the DVM/MSc dual degree program can be completed within 3 ½ years.  Some MSc courses are completed during regular terms in addition to the DVM coursework, while some are taken during the summer breaks.  Depending on the nature and location of the research project, students may have to take a Leave of Absence from the DVM program for one term or split one of the DVM terms.

Career Prospects

This program prepares students for a career in conservation medicine and/or a more academic career in wildlife diseases. After graduation, candidates will typically seek employment in government agencies or institutions that are concerned with:  maintaining healthy wildlife populations and ecosystems; investigating, managing and controlling disease outbreaks in wildlife populations; managing diseases of zoonotic and anthropozoonotic potential involving wildlife; and wildlife translocation / re-introduction programs.  Research-oriented candidates might aim for academic careers in wildlife centers attached to universities.

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

  • American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians
  • Wildlife Disease Association
  • Centers for Disease Control
  • International Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
  • US – Fish and Wildlife Service
  • National & International Conservation Agencies

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: sguinfo@sgu.edu