The department offers programs of study leading to MSc and PhD degrees and a Graduate Diploma in the following four fields:

• Comparative Pathology
  • Avian pathology
  • Fish pathology
  • Wildlife and zoo animal medicine and pathology
  • Laboratory animal science
• Immunology
• Veterinary Infectious Diseases
  • Veterinary bacteriology
  • Veterinary parasitology
  • Veterinary virology
• Veterinary Pathology
  • Anatomic pathology
  • Clinical pathology

The department also participates in the Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) program.

Administrative Staff

Chair
Brandon Lillie (3839 Pathobiology, Ext. 54641)
blillie@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Jeff Caswell (3828 Pathobiology, Ext. 54555)
jcaswell@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Jessie Beer (Stewart Building, Room 2509, Ext. 54725)
pathgrad@uoguelph.ca
Administrative Assistant to the Chair and Faculty
Marni Struyk (3840 Pathobiology, Ext. 54755)
ovcsas.path@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MSc Program

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have either an honours degree in biological sciences with at least a 'B' average during the final 2 years of the program, or a DVM (or equivalent) degree with at least a 'B' average over the four years of the program. In either case, performance in relevant biomedical science courses, (e.g. microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, etc.) at a level above the minimum 'B' average is normally expected. Admission requires a statement of the applicant's interests and objectives and supportive letters of reference. An appropriate faculty advisor must be identified, as well as potential sources of funds for research and for provision of a stipend for the student. Applications may be submitted at any time. Initial enrolment can be in the Fall, Winter or Summer semesters, with a preference for the Fall.

Program Requirements

The primary objective of the MSc is to provide students with training in conceptual and laboratory aspects of research, combined with advanced training in a field of knowledge relating to manifestations, basic mechanisms and host resistance for diseases of vertebrates.

Students must complete at least 1.5 credits of prescribed courses with at least a 'B' average, and must satisfactorily write and defend a research thesis. Prescribed courses and additional courses are selected by the student in consultation with the advisor and advisory committee based on the student's background and their research and career objectives. PABI*6430 Academic and Professional Skills in Pathobiology and PABI*6440 MSc Seminar in Pathobiology are prescribed for all MSc students. The thesis research is planned by the student in consultation with the advisor. Research plans and progress must be approved by the advisory committee. The thesis defence includes a seminar presentation and a final oral examination by a committee of graduate faculty members.

See also the MSc Degree Regulations in the Graduate Calendar.

PhD Program

The program is designed primarily for students who aspire to a career involving research on the biology of mechanisms of diseases in vertebrates. The program provides advanced training in conceptual and laboratory aspects of independent research, combined with advanced training in one or more fields of knowledge. The major emphasis is on the generation and critical evaluation of scientific knowledge relating to the causes, mechanisms and/or consequences of diseases affecting a particular species, organ system or biological process or to the understanding of host resistance and basic mechanisms of health or disease in vertebrates. DVM (or equivalent) graduates may obtain some of the practical experience required for specialty certification in veterinary anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, laboratory animal science, microbiology or parasitology.

Admission Requirements

The usual requirement for admission to the PhD program is the completion of an approved MSc degree with a minimum 'B+' average and strongly supportive letters from referees familiar with the background of the applicant. Performance in relevant biomedical science courses, (e.g. microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, etc) at a level above the 'B+' average is normally expected. Students may apply for admission into the PhD program before completing the MSc program, providing that they have a minimum 'A' average and a demonstrated capacity for independent research. Some students with demonstrated potential for independent research and a superior academic record during their baccalaureate or DVM programs may be admitted directly into the PhD program.

Admission requires a statement of the applicant's interests and objectives and supportive letters of reference. An appropriate faculty advisor must be identified, as well as potential sources of funds for research and provision of a stipend for the student. Applications may be submitted at any time. Initial enrolment can be in the Fall, Winter or Summer semesters, with a preference for the Fall.

Program Requirements

Students must have successfully completed PABI*6430 Academic and Professional Skills in Pathobiology and PABI*6450 Doctoral Seminar in Pathobiology, and have obtained at least a 'B ' average in all courses prescribed by the advisory committee. There are no other specific course requirements. Prescribed courses and additional courses are selected by the student in consultation with the advisor and advisory committee based on the student's background, their research and career objectives.

Students are required to satisfactorily complete a qualifying examination before the end of the fifth semester if they possess an MSc degree, or before the end of the seventh semester if they possess an honours baccalaureate or DVM degree. The qualifying examination is conducted by a committee of graduate faculty members with expertise in the areas of study, and includes written and oral components. The qualifying examination covers a breadth of knowledge of topics related to the student's research area, and depth of knowledge within this research area. To successfully complete the examination, students must have a broad general understanding of one of the departmental fields of study, and a current and detailed understanding of one or two additional areas in their field of study. The advisory committee identifies selected areas of study by the end of the second semester. In addition, the advisory committee is required to confirm that the student has demonstrated both ability and promise in research. This is based on performance in the research project and in courses and other academic activities.

The thesis research is planned by the student in consultation with the advisor. The proposed thesis research is developed and defended as part of PABI*6450 Doctoral Seminar in Pathobiology. The PhD seminar, usually completed in semester 7-8, is a separate requirement from PABI*6450.  Research plans and progress must be approved by the advisory committee. The program is completed with the satisfactory presentation and defence of a thesis, which includes a seminar presentation and a final oral examination by a committee that includes an external examiner and members of the graduate faculty.

See also the Degree Regulations in the Graduate Calendar.

DVSc Program

The Department of Pathobiology participates in the DVSc program which provides advanced training in a specialty discipline of veterinary medicine, combined with course work and a thesis-based research project. Specialty training is offered in the areas of veterinary anatomic pathology, veterinary clinical pathology, veterinary clinical microbiology, laboratory animal science, wildlife and zoo animal medicine and pathology, avian and exotic medicine and pathology, and fish pathology. The research project addresses an applied aspect of an important disease problem in vertebrates. The program provides practical training for candidates preparing for specialty board certification in veterinary anatomic pathology, veterinary clinical pathology, laboratory animal science or veterinary clinical microbiology. Refer to the Degree Regulations in the Graduate calendar for more information.

Admission Requirements

Applicants require a DVM (or equivalent) degree with high academic standing from a program that provides eligibility for the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario. Alternatively, applicants with a DVM (or equivalent) degree can be admitted after completion of an acceptable graduate diploma, MSc, or PhD degree with an upper 'B' average. Admission requires the identification of a faculty advisor and a source of personal support for the student. If these have not been arranged by the applicant, a statement of the applicant's interests and objectives and supportive letters of reference are required to assist with the identification of an appropriate faculty advisor and potential sources of funds for research and student stipend. Several stipends for DVSc candidates are available intermittently for training in some disciplines. As these funds become available, stipends are awarded to the most qualified applicant(s) based on completed applications for admission to the DVSc program. Applications may be submitted at any time. Initial enrolment can be in the Fall, Winter or Summer semesters.

Program Requirements

The degree requires a minimum of nine semesters of full-time study; the completion of at least 2.5 credits in courses prescribed by the student's advisory committee including completion of the department's graduate seminar course, with an overall average of at least 'B-', and satisfactory completion of a qualifying examination, thesis and final oral examination.

See also the Degree Regulations in the Graduate Calendar.

Collaborative Specializations

One Health

The Department of Pathobiology participates in the collaborative specialization in One Health. Master’s and Doctoral students wishing to undertake thesis research or their major research paper/project with an emphasis on one health are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Pathobiology and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the One Health listing for more information.

Toxicology

The Department of Pathobiology participates in the master's collaborative specialization in toxicology. The faculty members' research and teaching expertise includes aspects of toxicology; they may serve as advisors for MSc students. Please consult the Toxicology listing for a detailed description of the masters collaborative specialization.

Graduate Diploma Program

The objective is to provide advanced practical training in a field of veterinary pathology to veterinarians working in industry, government or in private practice. The program emphasizes practical and course-based applied training in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, avian medicine and pathology, laboratory animal science, or wildlife and zoo animal pathology. The Diploma program does not normally result in eligibility for specialty certification.

Admission Requirements

Applicants require a DVM (or equivalent) degree with acceptable academic standing. Admission requires the prior identification of a faculty advisor and a source of personal support for the student.

Program Requirements

The Graduate Diploma requires three semesters of full time study and completion of 1.5 credits of prescribed courses, including 0.5 credits in an applied course and no more than 0.5 credits in a Special Topics course. The remaining credits may be in the defined area of study, as prescribed by the faculty advisor. Diploma students must satisfactorily pass a final oral comprehensive examination on knowledge in their field of study. It will be conducted by faculty members in the Department of Pathobiology. There is no thesis, but students are required to write a paper that the advisor considers ready for submission to a peer reviewed scientific journal.

See also the Graduate Diploma Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The primary objective is to provide students with training in conceptual and laboratory aspects of research, combined with advanced training in a field of knowledge relating to manifestations, basic mechanisms and host resistance for diseases of vertebrates.

Courses