The Curriculum

The primary educational goal of the College of Veterinary Medicine is to prepare students for a lifetime of productive
activity in the veterinary medicial profession. In order to achieve this objective, the faculty endeavor to:

• provide each student with the knowledge and skills that form the foundation on
  which to build a career in the profession.
• foster critical thinking and scientific curiosity.
• inculcate a rigorous approach to problem solving.
• emphasize the scientific principles underlying veterinary medicine.
• foster habits of self-education and lifelong learning.
• strees preventative as well as curative medicine.
• promote ethical behavior and a sensitivity for the role of the veterinarian in society.
• provide each student with a broad general veterinarian education, but also the opportunity
  to pursue an area of interest from among the many opportunities available to veterinarians.
• teach students to recognize the limits of their skill and knowledge and to make effective
  use of additional resouces and expertise.

The curriculum has been orgainized to accomplish these goals, both in the content of the courses and the process
and instructional methods chosen.

The D.V.M. program at Cornell University is made up of two types of courses: Foundation and Distribution. All Students take foundation courses at the same time, in a prescribed order. Foundation courses account for approximately 70% of the credits required for graduation, reflecting the College's commitment to a broad, generalist veterinary education. Distribution courses make up the remaining 30% of the credits required for graduation and offer students an opportunity to pursue their individual interests through a system of structured choice.

Take a look at what your four years may look like.