The Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) program involves members of the graduate faculty in the Departments of Biomedical Science, Clinical Studies, Pathobiology and Population Medicine of the Ontario Veterinary College. Admission, progress, and certification for graduation of students enrolled in the DVSc program is administered by the respective departments.

The DVSc is a unique post-professional degree. The DVSc program provides advanced discipline training and research at the doctoral level. It involves course and investigational work on an applied problem, together with advanced discipline training. Students enrolled in the program select one of the sixteen specializations listed below and register in the appropriate department. The departments and specializations are:

• Biomedical Sciences
  Clinical Pharmacology
• Clinical Studies
  Comparative medicine, small animal medicine, small animal surgery, large animal medicine, large animal surgery, emergency medicine and critical care, anesthesiology, radiology, neurology, oncology and clinical nutrition
• Pathobiology
  Clinical pathology, anatomic pathology, laboratory-animal science, clinical microbiology, wildlife and zoo animal medicine and pathology, avian and exotic medicine and pathology and fish pathology.
• Population Medicine
  Clinical epidemiology, ruminant health management, swine health management and theriogenology

Administrative Staff

Associate Dean, Research and Innovation
Shayan Sharif (PAHL 4824, Ext. 54641)
shayan@uoguelph.ca
Assistant to Associate Dean, Research and Innovation
Daphne Summers (2653 OVC, Ext. 54406)
dsummers@uoguelph.ca
Biomedical Sciences DVSc Graduate Program Coordinator
Jonathan LaMarre (3606 Ontario Veterinary College, Ext. 54935)
jlamarre@ovc.uoguelph.ca
Clinical Studies DVSc Graduate Program Coordinator
Adronie Verbrugghe (2148 Clinical Studies, Ext. 54034)
averbrug@uoguelph.ca
Pathobiology DVSc Graduate Program Coordinator
Jeff Caswell (3828 Pathobiology, Ext. 54555)
jcaswell@uoguelph.ca
Population Medicine DVSc Graduate Program Coordinator
David L. Pearl (Clinical Research Bldg. 207B OVC, Ext. 54748)
popmedgc@uoguelph.ca

DVSc Program

Admission Requirements

The normal basis for admission to DVSc studies is a DVM or equivalent degree that would allow the applicant to be eligible for licence to practice veterinary medicine in Ontario. The applicant must have achieved high academic standing according to the standards of the University of Guelph.

Students who meet the aforementioned requirements and possess either an acceptable graduate diploma, MSc degree, or PhD degree with 'B+' average standing may be admitted and granted credit for two semesters in the DVSc program.

A student enrolled in the graduate diploma program who achieves a superior record and shows a particular aptitude for applied studies may be authorized by the Board of Graduate Studies, on recommendation of the student’s advisory committee, to transfer to the DVSc program without completing the graduate diploma program. This authorization must be granted no later than the end of the second semester of study. The transfer will be effective the following semester.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 2.50 course credits is required. A qualifying examination must be taken prior to the end of the sixth semester to assess the student's knowledge of the selected area of specialization and the basic sciences supporting this area. Candidates are required to develop investigational skills in their distinctive area of specialization by carrying out an original study, generally related to animal health. The research must make a significant contribution to the area of specialization, be written up as a thesis, and defended.

At least nine semesters of full-time study must be devoted to the DVSc program. Additional information on the DVSc program may be found in the calendar description of each participating department.