Master of Science Degree

This MSc degree is a two-year program that focuses on the traditional anatomical sciences. This program is available as a theses or non-thesis program.

The MSc degree provides a unique cultural and socioeconomic environment in which students develop bioethical insights and skills needed for successful international and multicultural interaction. Students explore the connections between bioethics and societal concerns including the impacts of climate change on health.

The Microbiology programs provide a rich, laboratory-based curriculum, supporting students in the development of independent research projects, and encouraging them in their efforts to develop and contribute new ideas in selected areas of microbiology. Areas of concentration include, but are not limited to, Clinical Microbiology, Marine Microbiology, Parasitology, Mycology, Immunology, and Virology. A student’s individualized program of study and pursuant research is determined by a student’s interests, as well as academic background, and is directed by a chosen advisor and selected supervisory committee, in consultation with the student. The Microbiology Department also offers students an opportunity to concentrate on medically related issues in microbiology. With similar academic requirements, this degree program includes courses delivered in the Basic Medical Sciences, preparing students for careers in medical research and clinical laboratory work. As part of the core credit requirements, those interested in the medical field track must take the following preclinical medical courses:

• BCHM 550 Medical Biochemistry (5 cr.)
• BCHM 590 Medical Genetics and Genomics (2 cr.)

This one year, 34-credit MSc in Tropical Medicine is designed for postgraduate students who have a keen interest in global health and who wish to gain a first hand experience in topical medicine in a tropical setting. The course focuses on parasitic diseases and is delivered through 15 credits of required coursework (10 from the MD basic sciences curriculum) and 19 credits of 900 level (thesis) courses. Dual MD/MSc students only require 24 credits outside of their MD coursework to complete the MSc degree. A large component of the degree is spent developing and testing a hypothesis which is completed in the form of a thesis. Research is carried out in a tropical or developing country setting under the guidance of a supervisory committee. Students who complete this degree have been exposed to research ethics, epidemiology of tropical parasitic diseases and health systems in developing countries, cultural competence, and research design, as well as interpretation, scientific writing, and oral presentation of research findings. Projects are designed to facilitate publication in peer reviewed international journals.

All students entering the DVM/MSc or MSc program in the SVM must complete a total of 34 graduate course credits. The 34 total credits comprise:

Thesis work (900 level): 22 credits
Core Courses (800 level): 6 credits
Selective Courses (800 level): 6 credits

Total: 34 credits

The following 22 credits of 900 level courses have to be completed:

• IDGS 900: MSc Seminar Participation (1 Credit)
• IDGS 901: MSc Project Proposal Seminar (1 Credit)
• IDGS 902: MSc Written Project Proposal (2 Credits)
• VSGP 9xx: Master Thesis (SVM) (15 Credits)
• IDGS 904: MSc Thesis Seminar (2 Credits)
• IDGS 905: MSc Thesis Defense (1 Credit)

Guidelines for the preparation of a research proposal through to the submission of a thesis, its subsequent examination and eventual binding follow those provided by the School of Graduate Studies (GSP). Students must prepare a research proposal and present an outline of the proposed work to their Supervisory Committee. The proposal must be prepared and presented prior to commencement of field or laboratory work. Students in the DVM/MSc program must complete their MSc thesis and defense prior to leaving Grenada for their Clinical Rotations.

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

• BIOE 801:Scientific Ethics (1 Credit)
• MPTH 825: Scientific Text Organization and Presentation (2 Credits)
• IDGS 807: Research Design and Biostatistics (3 Credits)

The remaining 6 credits of Selective Courses (800 level) are determined by the selected major.  The student’s Supervisory Committee will select the courses in consultation with the student. The requirements of each 800 level course will be clearly defined in the graduate course descriptions. Stand-alone MSc students, who do not have a DVM or equivalent veterinary degree, may be required to take “up-graded DVM courses” (800 level) as determined by their Supervisory Committee More specific requirements for each of the offered MSc majors can be  found in the individual degree outlines.

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 Veterinary Pathology. The MSc in Veterinary Pathology is also open for stand-alone graduate students, who hold a DVM degree or equivalent veterinary degree.There is a real need for more specialists in this field due to the increasing numbers of universities, diagnostic laboratories and research institutions worldwide. So, it has become a necessity to establish a program of a master degree by courses and complementary research as a way of training that keeps pace with the progress of scientific research and meets the requirements of development and the increasing need for qualifying adequate numbers of graduates in this field.The program provides broad theoretical and practical training in veterinary pathology with special emphasis on diagnostic pathology. Thus knowledge and experience will be acquired in various diagnostic techniques and on making proper correlations between gross and histopathological changes with clinical and laboratory findings to reach an appropriate diagnosis. This will qualify the successful candidates to work as specialists in the field of diagnosis of animal diseases as well as in teaching and research pertaining to this field.

A dual DVM/MSc or stand-alone (MSc) degree program is offered in Veterinary Anatomy within the Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology Academic Program of the School of Veterinary Medicine. It is designed to broaden and deepen knowledge in anatomy for those students who are already enrolled in the DVM degree program, and who have the potential to combine the requirements for both degrees during the first three years of the DVM degree program or to train veterinarians or other scientists, in the basic aspects of gross anatomical, histological and developmental sciences, with particular emphasis on areas relevant to veterinary anatomy, in order to be able to enter a career in teaching and research and/or to be able to undergo a Ph.D. degree program by building upon the foundation already established at the M.Sc. level, in any of these basic anatomical areas.The broad areas of studies in Veterinary Anatomy include, but are not limited to, aspects of gross anatomy, histology, embryology and developmental biology, cytology, neuroanatomy, comparative and avian anatomy, and histochemistry. The requirements for admission into, and for the successful completion of, the degree program, are as prescribed by the School of Graduate Studies of the St. George’s University.

St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine (SGU-SVM) is dedicated to providing graduate students the opportunity for in-depth study of bacteria and bacteriology topics of veterinary importance. A program is available leading to the dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/Master of Science (DVM/MSc) degree in Bacteriology. The MSc in Bacteriology is also open for stand-alone graduate students, who hold a DVM degree/ BSc in Biological science/ or equivalent degree.Areas of study in Bacteriology include:

• Study of zoonotic bacteria.
• Identification of novel bacterial species, environments or relationships.
• Identification of antimicrobial resistance trends in bacteria.
• Molecular analysis of bacterial components and pathways.
• Study of interrelationships between bacteria and environment.
• Study of host-pathogenic/symbiotic bacteria interrelationships.
• Clinical, diagnostic and public awareness applications of bacteriological studies.

Clinical pathology is an important branch of veterinary medicine. Better understanding of this subject helps to control the majority of routine and critical medical decisions, and is central to the advancement of scientific research. Considering the importance of clinical pathology in various fields such as clinical practice, referral or diagnostic labs, pharmacology industry and research, 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 Veterinary Clinical Pathology. The MSc in Veterinary Clinical Pathology is also open for stand-alone graduate students, who hold a DVM or equivalent degree.  This program focuses on basic and advanced levels of information in Clinical Pathology, accompanied by research. This program deals with three major areas :

• Hematology
• Biochemistry
• Diagnostic cytology.

The veterinary profession is increasingly involved with less-traditional areas of specialization, and marine medicine is one such area. The enhanced demand for fish products from farming (aquaculture), the ever-increasing pressures on the aquatic environment from human populations, and the use of fish as pets and experimental animals have resulted in a need for veterinarians with an awareness of, and an expertise in, diagnosing and controlling aquatic animal disease.

Veterinary Parasitology is an integral part of Veterinary Medicine. All of the domestic animal, avian, wildlife and exotic species taught in the DVM program harbor parasites. Many of these parasites are zoonotic and are considered to be of public health significance. 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 Veterinary Parasitology. The MSc in Veterinary Parasitology is also open for stand-alone graduate students, who hold a DVM degree.The courses will focus on the biology, epidemiology and control of clinically important parasites of domestic, wildlife and exotic species. Emphasis is placed on clinical and diagnostic issues relating to host-parasite interactions and the development of evidence-based parasite control programs.

The DVM/MSc dual degree course  and stand alone MSc degree in Pharmacology offered at St. George’s University, School of Veterinary Medicine provides a wide and solid scientific base in fundamental and applied Pharmacology. This course enables the students to strengthen their future career opportunities in pharmacology or cognate areas.

This one year, 34-credit MSc in Tropical Medicine is designed for postgraduate students who have a keen interest in global health and who wish to gain a first hand experience in topical medicine in a tropical setting. The course focuses on parasitic diseases and is delivered through 15 credits of required coursework (10 from the MD basic sciences curriculum) and 19 credits of 900 level (thesis) courses. Dual MD/MSc students only require 24 credits outside of their MD coursework to complete the MSc degree. A large component of the degree is spent developing and testing a hypothesis which is completed in the form of a thesis. Research is carried out in a tropical or developing country setting under the guidance of a supervisory committee. Students who complete this degree have been exposed to research ethics, epidemiology of tropical parasitic diseases and health systems in developing countries, cultural competence, and research design, as well as interpretation, scientific writing, and oral presentation of research findings. Projects are designed to facilitate publication in peer reviewed international journals.

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, and Management and rehabilitation of captive wildlife.