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Laboratory Animal Medicine MS

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Expanding Veterinary Skills to Research

The three-year Laboratory Animal Medicine MS at Penn State College of Medicine is designed to advance the training of graduate veterinarians (DVM, VMD) and build a strong research foundation.

The 30-credit program also includes rotations in a variety of animal-care environments and the development of a publishable thesis.

Participants in the program share in the responsibility of the Department of Comparative Medicine to provide comprehensive healthcare to 10 to 15 species of laboratory animal patients at the College of Medicine.

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About the Program

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Curriculum

The three-year residency resulting in the completion of the Laboratory Animal Medicine MS offers a mix of formal coursework, clinical practice and research opportunities.

In their first year, students will take part in courses such as Biology and Care of Laboratory Animals, Laboratory Animal Genetics and Laws, and Regulations and Guidelines, while building a foundation in research laboratory techniques.

In the second year, students expand their clinical skills and techniques during a series of residency assignments in areas such as Administration, Breeding Colonies, Experimental Surgery and Diagnostic Radiology, among others.

Finally, third-year students complete a research project which includes submission of a written thesis, preparation of a manuscript suitable for submission for publication as a first-author paper, and a final presentation of their research work to their thesis committee, fellow residents and department faculty.

Learn more about the Laboratory Animal Medicine MS curriculum.

Other Opportunities

In addition to classroom experiences, participants in the Laboratory Animal Medicine MS program have the opportunity to complete a rotation at the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more about the Laboratory Animal Medicine MS animal-care opportunities.

Accreditation

The laboratory animal medicine programs at Penn State College of Medicine are accredited through a number of major organizations, including:

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Student Resources

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Penn State College of Medicine strives to create the best culture of respect and inclusion for our students. A number of programs, services and facilities are available.

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Dr. Inginia Genao, right, Penn State College of Medicine’s vice dean of diversity, equity and belonging, meets with a student on the College of Medicine campus.
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Campus Life

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Student Housing

Housing is available to Penn State College of Medicine students, residents and postdocs in University Manor East and West apartment complexes. One of the complexes is pictured as seen from a higher floor of a nearby building, with a road and trees framing it in the background.
Housing in University Manor apartments is available to Penn State College of Medicine students.

Penn State College of Medicine offers housing in its University Manor East or University Manor West apartments to full-time students, residents, postdoctoral scholars and visiting scholars.

Read more about on-campus housing.

Life in Hershey, PA

Penn State College of Medicine is in Hershey, PA, a town known as the home of the HersheyPark amusement park and the Hershey Chocolate Factory. Two banners depicting cartoon candy characters are seen on a light pole in downtown Hershey, PA, in summer 2016, with a brick building with large glass windows in the background.
Hershey, Pa., is known as "The Sweetest Place on Earth."

Penn State College of Medicine's primary campus is located in Hershey, Pa. The area provides numerous diverse and delicious dining experiences, sports, concerts and entertainment, and is a short drive away from the Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, metro areas.

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