Each student participates in at least one, but not more than three, directed readings during the fall semester. Students choose topics of interest from a list submitted by participating faculty members. Because the purpose of the Directed Readings is to stimulate interest rather than to provide in-depth familiarity or skills acquisition, this activity is not graded. However, advisors will request verbal evaluation of the readings from each student. Laboratory Research and Publication.
Students are free to choose an advisor as early as the time of admission.
However, each student should have selected an advisor by the end of the first school year in the Program. The advisor and student will develop a research program for the student which will be well circumscribed and within the student's capabilities. Arrangements will be made for the student to begin working on a project at a time which is acceptable to both student and mentor. It is expected, however, that Research Scholars will begin hands-on laboratory work at their earliest opportunity and no later than the first summer following entry into the veterinary curriculum. All Research Scholars are expected to be involved in research during the summer months and during a significant portion of their externship blocks in the fourth year.