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Official CatalogVolume 2, No.II; 2008 Grand Cayman • BritishWest Indies

St. Matthew's UniversitySCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE“Improving Life By Degrees”

Formore informationCampus

P.O. Box 32330Regatta Park, Leeward FourGrand Cayman KY1-1209CAYMAN ISLANDS, BWI

345-745-3199Fax 345-745-3130

Administrative Offices12124High Tech Avenue, Suite 350

Orlando, FL 32817800-498-9700

Fax 407-488-1702/800-565-7100

elcome to the School of Medicine at St. Matthew’s University.

We are pleased that you have chosen to launch your career in veterinary medicine in our program. Opportunities exist for a variety

of careerswithin the veterinary profession, including clinical practice, public health, cutting-edge research onbiomedical problems

important to both animals and humans, environmental medicine, aquatic and other exotic species medicine and corporate or

government agency leadership positions. TheAmericanVeterinaryMedical Association and theAmericanMedical Association have

both embraced the concept of “One-Health,” which is opening new avenues of cooperation between veterinary and medical

researchers and practitioners. Our close contact with the School of Medicine here at St. Matthew’s provides opportunities for

collaborative seminars, research and teaching. A particular area of cooperation will be with zoonotic parasites and diseases.

We continue to expand our faculty roster, adding internationally recognized scientists, including board certified diplomats in fields

such as surgery, internal medicine, public health, animal behavior and toxicology. With our faculty numbers expanding as our

student enrollment is increasing, we continue tomaintain a low student to faculty ratio. The still relatively small class size provides

unique learning opportunities with close student-faculty interactions.We seek to have our faculty provide and exhibit professional

role models for our students as they move through the program.

The recent addition of our newClinical Teaching Facility has accelerated our interactionswith theCaymanDepartment of Agriculture

and the livestock owners on Grand Cayman. As a result our students travel to farms, learn large animal handling techniques and

expand their knowledge and skills in diagnostic and treatment procedures. Our use of grand round presentations, inwhich students

present brief case descriptions and answer questions fromboth students and faculty, facilitates the integration of basic scienceswith

clinical courses. Our emphasis is on academic process and growth.

Grand Cayman is a beautiful setting and may be a pleasant distraction for our students. There are numerous opportunities for

students to participate in community service activities including beach cleanup, the turtle farm, setting up databases for stray pets,

etc. These can serve as a change of pace from the studies you are here to undertake.We look forward tomeeting you and welcome to

St. Matthew’s University.

WilliamC.Wagner

DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT

St. Matthew’s UniversitySchool of Veterinary Medicine

Official Catalog2008-2010

Grand Cayman • BritishWest Indies

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CONTENTS WDean’sMessage....1

Credentials • Location....2

Mission....3

What's Around Campus....4

Cayman Life....5-7

Admissions....8-11

Financial Aid Options &Obligations....12

Scholarships....13

Curriculum....14

Semester I -II....15

Semester III -IV....16

Semester V -VI....17

Semester VII....18

Academic Performance....19-21

Standards of Behavior and Academic Honesty....22

Student Life....22-23

Student Services....23

School of VeterinaryMedicine Leadership....24-25

William C.Wagner, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT

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Providing, Helping, Motivating,Creating & Engaging

At the core of ourmission is a commitment to the success of our students. Ouraim is to provide qualified students from around the globe with the bestveterinary training available. St. Matthew's University School of VeterinaryMedicine develops socially responsible veterinarians skilled in the art andscience of veterinarymedicine.We are committed to achieving ourmission by:

• Providing studentswith the knowledge and skills needed to practice veterinarymedicine in the 21st century.

• Helping students acquire the judgment and confidence necessary to becomecompetent veterinarians.

• Motivating students to pursue knowledge outside the classroom, both duringtheir tenure at St. Matthew's and throughout life.

• Creating an environment in which students and faculty interact with eachother, their patients, and the community with compassion and integrity.

• Engaging faculty and students in the understanding and active practice of re-search which furthers their knowledge of the process of science and increasestheir appreciation of the balance between research and the artful practice ofveterinary medicine.

St. Matthew’s University School of VeterinaryMedicine was established in 2005.

Charters and Accreditations

•The Government of the Cayman Islands, B.W.I. has fullychartered the School of Veterinary Medicine at St. Matthew’sUniversity.•The School is an Affiliate Member of the Association ofAmerican Veterinary Medical Colleges.•Graduates can pursue licensure to practice by either of tworoutes: the Educational Commission for Foreign VeterinaryGraduates (ECFVG) or theNational Board of VeterinaryMedicalExaminers, which uses the PAVE exam followed by the NationalVeterinary Licensing Examination.

Grand Cayman

Within the vibrant blue waters of the Caribbean is GrandCayman, one of the three Cayman Islands. Not only does GrandCaymanoffer someof themost pristine beaches andworld-classdiving, it boasts numerous attractions, shopping opportunitiesand points of interest, including the capital city of Georgetown.As the largest of the three islands, Grand Cayman offers manyfamiliar amenities and modern conveniences from dining totransportation, entertainment and healthcare. You are sure tofeel at home.

Only480miles fromMiami, Florida,50miles south of Cuba and180miles northwest of Jamaica, the island is easily accessible.There are at least 55 flights per week entering Grand Caymanand 28 from Miami, Florida alone. Major carriers such asCayman Airways, American Airlines, Continental, Delta,Northwest and US Air offer direct flights from major citiesincluding Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Boston, New York,Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Houston, Tampa, Orlando,Miami and London.

Cayman Islands, B.W.I.

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chicken and pork at roadside stands across the island, there issomething for everyone.Diners can choose from traditional Caymanian,Mediterranean, American, Indian, Chinese, Thai and TexMexrestaurants, or even familiar franchises like Burger King,Wendy's, Kentucky FriedChicken andDomino’s Pizza. Choicesrange from5-star Sushi to pasta Alfresco served by serenadingItalian waiters.How about Tea at the Ritz? The Ritz Carlton, Cayman serves anelegant tea with all the trimmings in the Silver Palm Loungeevery afternoon (pre-booking highly recommended).Craving for local food, such as turtle stew, fish rundown andstewed conch, can be satisfied at Caymanian hot-spots likeWelly's Cool Spot, Champion House and Corita's CopperKettle.

DivingSome of the most vibrant coral reef systems in the world existin Cayman waters, which offer wonderful opportunities toscuba dive, snorkel and swim in tropical seas that arewarmyearround.Since themain campus and residence halls are just steps awayfrom the famous SevenMile Beach, students can literally walkout of their class and across the street for a quick swim, snorkel,sunset volleyball game, or even to study on the beach.The calm waters and 200-foot visibility under water make theCayman Islands an ideal place to build experience andconfidence in scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers andsnorkelers can swim with the friendly rays at Stingray City, orexperience the magic of swimming among a school ofYellowtail fish, or see up close various species of turtles,parrotfish, lobster, eels, sea urchins and squid that populatethe famous coral reefs.As a premier dive destination, Cayman has a wide choice oflocal dive operators that offer beginner and advanced scubacourses, as well as affordable dive trips for certified divers. Forthose with hectic schedules or divers who want to avoid acrowded dive boat, there are plenty of gorgeous dive sites thatare an easy swim from shore.

Leisure & RecreationAside from the word class diving, Cayman has a plethora ofactivities and points of interest. From Stingray City where youcan swim with the rays, to the Cayman Islands NationalMuseum which overlooks George Town harbor and housesnatural and cultural histories, Cayman offers a unique mix ofisland entertainment. Just like at home, Hollywood Theatersat Camana Bay offers a state of the art, six screen, stadiumseating cinema. With over 33 sporting associations you arebound to find a league whether its baseball, cricket, cycling or

The Cayman Islands' remarkable success as a financialcenter and tourist destination has transformed the nation intoa dynamic society that has every modern convenience but stillretains the charm and vibrancy of the Caribbean. People frommore than 100 countries live andwork in this BritishOverseasTerritory, creating a lively and unique blend of cultures.

While the diverse accents and idioms of Caymanians,Jamaicans, Europeans, Hondurans, and Filipinos may takesome getting use to, there is no denying the hospitality of thelocal people, the superb weather, stunning beaches and greatrestaurants and nightlife that make the transition to this newcountry easy, as well as exciting.As an integral part of this exceptional community, StMatthew'soffers students a quality of life that few universities in any partof the world canmatch.

The Cayman Islands:• Provides world class health care system with one of thehighest ratios of physicians to its population in theCaribbean.

•Enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in theworld.

•Offer stability, a strong tourism trade, a safe community,and highly developed technology and health careresources.

• Has one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean.

Country Per Capita GDP Physicians per 1,000 Crimes per100,000Cayman Islands $39,801(c) 1.4(c) 5,416(c)Dominica $3,800(d) 0.5(e) 8,845(a)Grenada $3,900(d) 0.5(e) 10,117(a)St. Kitts $8,200(d) 1.19(e) 5,543(a)St. Maarten $15,374(b) 1.28(b) 6,265(b)

USA $43,500(d) 2.56(e) 4,118(d)

(a) Harriott, Anthony (2002). Crime Trends in the Caribbeanand Responses. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.(b) Statistical Info. (2007) Central Bureau of Statistics,Netherlands Antilles -Website(c ) Compensium of Statistics (2005). Economics andStatistics Office, Government of the Cayman Islands.(d) CIAWorld Factbook(e) World Health Organization Statistical Information System-Website

DiningIn the last five years, Cayman has emerged as a culinaryplayground for chefs and a paradise for people whoappreciate excellent food. From Haute Cuisine, to casualwaterfront bars and restaurants, to Jamaican-style "Jerk"

What’s Around Campus Cayman Life

shopping • dining • banking • health & beauty • leisure

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TransportationThere aremany options for navigating the island. People from,all themajor European countries,mostmajor English speakingcountries (including theUnited States,New Zealand, Australia,Canada and South Africa), and the following Caribbeancountries – Jamaica, Barbados,DominicanRepublic, Cuba, andTrinidad and Tobago, are entitled to obtain a Cayman drivinglicensewithout having to take any further tests. If in doubt callthe Licensing Department on 945 8344 or visitwww.geocities.com/bkkriders/law/unc/. You must apply fora Cayman license within three months of arriving. Pleaseremember driving is on the left side of the road like in theU.K.

Cayman also offers rentals, leasing, and has numerousdealerships for purchasing a vehicle. The island also has awonderful bus systemwith sevenbus routes, and the buses eachhave a distinctive colored circle on the front and rear with aroute number in the middle, which get you where you need tobe. Residents also have the option of having theirvehicles imported onto the island.

Please visit New Resident for further detailshttp://www.caymannewresident.com/page_id_9.html

SchoolsThe Caymanian school system is based upon the Englishlearning system. Cayman offers primary schools in eachdistrict for children 4-11 years of age as well as Governmenthigh schools, a community college, a university college and alaw school. Private schools are also abundant on the islandincluding but not limited to, Cayman Prep & High School,Cayman International School, First Baptist Christian School,Montessori By The Sea and St. Ignatius Catholic School. Theclasses are taught in English, as it is the main language of theisland.Children starting pre-school can begin at the age of two and forprimary school the starting age depends onwhether theywill beattending a British school such at St. Ignatius or Americanschool such as Cayman International School. British schoolsrequire children be the age of four by September andAmericanschools require the age of five by September.For further information and a detailed listing of schools,please visit The Chamber of Commerce at :http://www.caymanchamber.ky/relocation/school.htm orNew Resident at :http://www.caymannewresident.com/page_id_13.html.

soccer. There also multiple gyms on the island as well asendless water sports including diving, sailing clubs, andkayaking.Nightclubs along Seven Mile Beach provide a wide choice ofdancing, including hip-hop, reggae, disco, rave, country andwestern, and Latin.Hotels and restaurants, such as theWharf,Marriott and theRitzCarlton, are sparking off new trends with themed nights on amonthly or weekly basis, such as disco or smooth Latin beat bythe pool. For a more casual experience, numerous bars andpubs dotting the island offer a cold beerwhile watching the sunset over the ocean or their favorite sport on TV, or joining in anoisy game of Dominoes - a popular Caribbean pastime.

ClimateThe weather in Grand Cayman is pleasant year round withtemperatures ranging from 70˚ to 90˚. Rainy season usuallylasts fromMay toNovember however the rains are usually briefand the sun will soon return. In these summer monthshumidity is high and the sun’s rays are strong, so sunscreen ishighly recommended. Cayman does have a winter, fromDecember toApril which is when the rain subsides and the coolbreezes return. Hurricane season runs from June 1st toNovember 30th and Cayman is well prepared. Hurricaneinformation packs are available from the GovernmentInformation Services in Cricket Square (Tel: 345- 949 8092)

TelecommunicationsState-of-the-art telecommunications services are offered byover five companies. These services include local and longdistance calling, mobile phones, faxing, cable and Internet.Service is comparable to that found in the US. The mainproviders are Cable & Wireless, Digicel, WestTel, andTeleCayman.All Cayman mobile phone service providers use GSMtechnology. It would be best to consult with your existingprovider to ensure that your mobile phone is compatible. As aguideline, CDMA is the technology used by Verizon and Sprintin the USA, and Telus and Bell in Canada. GSM is thetechnology used by Vodaphone, O2 and Orange in Europe,Cingular and T-Mobile in the USA, and Rogers Wireless andMicrocell in Canada.For more telecommunication information please visithttp://www.caymannewresident.com/page_id_30.html

Health CareOffering both state and private health care facilities, Caymanhas an excellent health care system.Awide range of specialists,including visiting doctors from the US and elsewhere operatefrom private clinics. Grand Cayman is well served by privatedentists and optometrists. There are also two hospitals on theisland, The Cayman Islands Hospital and The ChrissieTomlinson Memorial Hospital as well as numerouspharmacies. Many have multiple branches, and both Foster’s

Food Fair and Kirk Supermarket have in-store pharmaciesopen 12 hours a day.For a list of local health care contacts please visithttp://www.caymanchamber.ky/relocation/healthcare.htmor http://www.caymannewresident.com/page_id_11.html.

CurrencyCayman has its own currency – the Cayman Islands Dollar(CI$). The exchange rate is CI$1 = US$1.20. The cash rate istraded at CI$1 =US$1.25whichmeans that US$20 cash is worthCI$16 or US$5 is worth CI$4. When makingtransactions the common change will be in CI, not USDollars. US Dollars are accepted everywhere as are travelerschecks. Almost all shops, restaurants and hotels accept creditcards and there are ATMs throughout the CaymanIslands. Currency denominations are CI$ 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and100 dollar bills.

BankingAs the fifth largest financial district in the world, bankingoptions in Cayman are endless. Butterfield Bank, CaymanNational Bank, Fidelity Bank, FirstCaribbean InternationalBank, Scotiabank, and Royal Bank of Canada offer electronicand on-line banking. ATMs are offered by Butterfield Bank,Cayman National Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Fidelity,FirstCaribbean International Bank and Scotiabank.When opening a new account, banks may require all or someof the following information:• Bank reference from your current bank. This must beaddressed specifically to the bank in the Cayman Islands andmust include how long you have banked there (i.e.minimum of three years), the average balance and manner inwhich your account has been conducted;• A letter fromyourCayman employer stating the origin of yourfunds, the position or job you have with the company and thelength of time you will be employed with them;• Driver’s license and passport (they will photocopy yourlicense and the pages of your passport);• One formof physical address confirmation, such as your localCayman electricity bill;• Full name and residential address, your phone and faxnumber, your nationality, date and place of birth, occupationand the name and address of your employer.

Moving with PetsPets are allowed to be brought to Cayman, a import permit orvalid animal passport issued by the Department ofAgriculture, and an official health certificate issued by agovernment employed or accredited veterinary inspector in thecountry of origin is required for the importation of dogs andcats.For further information, please visit the Chamber ofCommerce athttp://www.caymanchamber.ky/relocation/pets.htm.

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Personal StatementApplicants must submit a personal statement with theapplication form. This offers an opportunity for the applicantto describe personal attributes, characteristics, and intereststhat support a decision to study veterinary medicine. Theadmissions committee is interested in participation inresearch projects, hobbies, and animal-related employmentor experiences. Use specific examples to demonstratemotivation, commitment to pursue a veterinary career, and theability toworkwith people and animals. Compassion, empathy,and the ability to deal with everyday problems are consideredimportant qualities as well.

InterviewWhen a candidate is favorably considered, the admissionscommittee schedules an interview. For all new students, theinterviewmay be in person or by conference call. The interviewserves both the applicants and the committee by providing anopportunity for the applicant to ask pertinent questions andintroduce any special circumstances that should be considered.The committee gains the opportunity to determine if thecandidate demonstrates the personal qualities that arerequired in a good veterinarian. These qualities includemotivation, commitment to a veterinary career, empathy,compassion,maturity, and flexibility in dealingwith problems.

Policy on Acceptance ofTransfer CreditsThe policy concerning transfer credits is designed tomeet thedesires of transfer students for advanced standing, the needfor theVeterinary School tomaintain high academic standards,and,most importantly, to assure the students that the School isnot jeopardizing future decisions affecting the students withrespect to either choice of clinical affiliate programs orveterinary licensure.Beginningwith Fall Semester 2008, in the School of VeterinaryMedicine, all transfer students will have the right to ask for areview of prior course work and admission to an advancedsemester as considered appropriate by the University. Thisreview of the transcript will be performedby theVice Presidentfor Enrollment and theDean of the School or his/her designee.Given the variability in course content, this review is ofnecessity somewhat subjective, being based on course gradesand recommendations from the program in which the studentwas previously enrolled. Transfer of credits will only beconsidered if the student received a grade of 2.0 (C) or higherin a specific course. The final decision on transfer creditsallowed will be made as a recommendation by the Dean of theSchool of VeterinaryMedicine to theRegistrar. No studentwillbe placed in the program higher than Semester 5.

Standardized TestsAs part of the application process, applicants are requested tosubmit their GRE orMCAT scores to the Admissions Office inFlorida. For more information on the GRE, please visitwww.gre.org, or call1-800-473-2255. TheGRE reporting codefor St. Matthew’s is 5681.

Letters of RecommendationConfidential appraisals by college advisors, instructors, orothers are an important part of the application. Theserecommendations may include a letter from a peer. Ask forrecommendations from individuals who can give a concise andthorough assessment of your personality, industry, reliability,motivation, and animal experience. References are given theoption of signing awaiver regarding the confidentiality of theseletters.

AdmissionsSee ourwebsite (www.stmatthews.edu/admissions) formost currentinformation on admissions requirements.Each candidate is evaluated on the basis of these factors:

• Academic background• G.P.A. of 3.0 preferred• Science grade point average• Strength ofmajor/minor•MCAT/GRE scores• Letters of reference• Personal statement• Activities that demonstrate service to thecommunity and to animals

• Personal interview• TOEFL*

*For non-native speakers of English, or those who have hadless than 4 years of post-secondary education in English.

Admissions CriteriaMost candidates have earned an undergraduate degree fromanapproved college or university in the United States, Canada ora recognized international institution.However, a student whohas 90+ semester credit hours of earned college credits will beconsidered for admission. We recognize that since veterinarymedicine deals with people as well as animals, anunderstanding of literature, art, history, ethics, andphilosophyis an asset to a veterinary physician. Science and Humanitiesare notmutually exclusive and both are viewed as necessary forthe practice of veterinary medicine. It is stronglyrecommended that students be computer literate. Thefollowing list of courses and credits indicates the minimalprerequisites that all applicants must complete prior toadmission to the veterinary school. A cumulative grade pointaverage of 3.0 is preferred. Applicants with lower grade pointaverages are encouraged to apply if they have otheraccomplishments or work experience that demonstrates theiraptitudes.

Course name semester/quarter hours

General Biology* 8/12General Chemistry* 8/12Organic Chemistry* 4/6Biochemistry 3/5Physics (recommended) 4/6Language Arts (English) 6/9CollegeMath or Computer Science 3/5Social Science (recommended) 9/12

•These courses must have laboratory work.

Admissions CommitteeThe committee reviews completed applicant files for theupcoming semester. The application files are reviewed byadmissions staff in Orlando and by three members of thefaculty of the School of Veterinary Medicine. Currently thesethree persons areDr.WilliamWagner, Dean of the School, Dr.Heather Barron, Chair of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and Dr.Scott Taylor, Chair of Veterinary Biosciences. The committeereviews the application to ensure that all specific prerequisitecourses have been taken andwork to select those students whoexhibit the strongest potential to flourish in the rigorouscurriculum in veterinary medicine and with the potential tobecome a strong professional and ethical member of theprofession. Candidates whomeet the admissions criteria maybe interviewed prior to a final decision. Applicants shouldsubmit materials early and ensure that their application file iscomplete. The admissions committee will not reviewincomplete documentation.

Procedures & PaperworkNon–U.S. TranscriptsStudents with academic transcripts from outside the UnitedStates must have them evaluated on a course-by-course basisby either the World Education Services (www.wes.org) or aservice that holdsmembershipwith theNational Association ofCredential Evaluation Services (NACES) (www.naces.org).Prospective students with English as a second language mustsubmit a TOEFL score of 550 or higher.

Advanced Standing andTransfer StudentsChiropractors, podiatrists, dentists, veterinary technicians,and physician’s assistants are not granted advanced standing.However, these students may use completed coursework toqualify for admission. Students with advanced degrees (Ph.D.)in a subjectmay be provided credit in the specialty area of theirdegree. St.Matthew’sUniversity School of VeterinaryMedicineonly accepts transfer students from veterinary schools listedby the American Veterinary Medical Association. Transferstudents undergo the same admissions process as first-timeapplicants. Acceptance of transfer credits is at the discretionof theUniversity. Studentsmust complete aminimumof threesemesters of didactic coursework at St. Matthew’s prior tobeing assigned to the final year of clinical core rotations.

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Tuition and FeesTuition and fees are subject to change. They must be paid byU.S.$ personal check, money order, or travelers check.Students must be able to demonstrate ability to pay, and/orability to obtain financial aid no later than 30 days before thefirst day of classes or placement in a clinical rotation. Studentswith an outstanding balance are not eligible to register for thenext semester without clearing up that outstanding balance tothe satisfaction of the Chief Financial Officer. Tuition and feesare billed on a semester basis. Tuition and fees are due on theday of registration. Students may not attend classes untiltuition and fees are paid. A $100U.S. late feewill be assessed atthe end of the first week payment is notmade. Failure to pay bythe end of the second week will result in registration beingcancelled.Tuition and fees are charged for all fourth year clinicalrotations. Tuition and fees for students in the fourth yearclinical rotations are due at least 30 days prior to thecommencement of the clinical rotation. Students in the fourthyear clinical rotations will be billed for an entire semester aslong as the student enters a rotationwithin the first10weeks ofthe semester. Students beginning rotations in the last 5weekswill be billed the following semester. Each student will pay amaximum of 3 clinical sciences semesters (given that norotations were failed).

Tuition and Fees ($US)Basic Sciences Tuition (per semester) 8,900Clinical Sciences Tuition (per semester) 14,750Internet Access &Technology Fee* (per semester) 100Administrative Fee 175

One Time FeesNon-Refundable Application Fee 75Cayman Immigration Fee** 304.88Seat Deposit 500

Miscellaneous FeesTuition for less than11 credits (per credit hour) 740Malpractice Insurance - (Clinical Science Only) 20Health Insurance (per semester, unless proof of coverage) 354Transcript Request, First3 free, thereafter 10Letter of Reference, First3 free, thereafter 10Document copies up to15pgs. (Over 15pgs., $1 per page) 15White Coat Fees (fifth semester and sixth semester) 100Recreation Fee (Cayman Only) 20Leave of Absence Fee 500Graduation Fee 500Lab Fee 100-250Late Registration Fee 250Late Payment Fee 100*Laptops required of all students.

**Cayman IslandGovernment Fee

Basic Science RefundPolicyAll refunds will be made within thirty (30) days of thewithdrawal date. Before any refund can be initiated, awithdrawal form must be completed and submitted to theDean.

Basic Science Tuition refunded according to the following schedule*:

Prior to the first class day 100%During the first5 class period 93%During the second5 class period 87%During the third5 class days period 80%After the third5 class day period No refund

Any new applicant to SMU requesting withdrawal within threedays of payment of the seat deposit to SMU shall receive a fullrefund of all tuition and fees paid. * The first semester seatdeposit fee of $500 and the $75 application fee are excludedfrom this refund policy and are not refundable after the firstthree days’ exemption as previously described.

Clinical Rotation RefundPolicyAny student withdrawing from a fourth year clinical rotation,subsequent to assignment and acceptance, will not be eligiblefor a refund on tuition for that semester of rotation.

Other ChargesStudents attending the School of VeterinaryMedicine inGrandCayman will be billed monthly for miscellaneous charges.Payment is due upon receipt of these invoices.Non-payment ofaccounts will result in the loss of credit privileges on campus.

Application Checklist:A completed application file will include:

• Completed application form*• Official academic transcripts• Two letters of recommendation• Official MCAT/GRE scores

• Personal statement• Nonrefundable application fee of $75U.S.($50 of which is nonrefundable for Florida

residents)• Six current passport photos (one as profile)

• Current resume• Evidence of financial support

• Copy of passport

* A completed VMCAS application can be submitted inlieu of the St. Matthew’s University form.

Submit a completed application form along withother supporting documents to:

St. Matthew’s UniversitySchool of Veterinary Medicine

Office of Admissions U.S. Office 12124High Tech Avenue,Suite 350, Orlando, Florida 32817

Notification of AcceptanceLetters of acceptance or non-acceptance aremailedwithin oneweek after the admissions committee has reached a decision.Students who are accepted are expected to return a letter ofintent within aweek. The letter of intentmust be accompaniedby a fee of $500U.S. payable to St.Matthew’sUniversity Schoolof VeterinaryMedicine to reserve a place in the upcoming class.This seat deposit fee is part of the first semester tuition. Laptopcomputers are required of all students.

Re-ApplicationUnsuccessful applicants may reapply by repeating theadmissions process. A new application form, a newpersonal statement, and new letters of recommendationmust be submitted with a check or money order for$75U.S. payable to St. Matthew’s University School ofVeterinary Medicine.

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If you have any questions or need assistance please contact us:Office of Financial AidSt. Matthew’s University

12124High Tech Avenue, Suite 350Orlando, Florida 32817

800.498.9700407.488.1700

800.565.7177 Faxfa@stmatthews.edu

Financial AidOptions & ObligationsYou’ve made a smart decision to further your education andpursue your passion. The commitment, time and moneyyou invest at St. Matthew’s University during the next fewyears will surely pay off!

It is our goal to make the financial aid process as painless aspossible. The office of Financial Aid is here to assist enrolledstudents with their application process as well as debtmanagement and consolidation options after residency. Weare also here to help you avoid possible pitfalls that can comefromdealingwithmoney and finances. As experts in this area,we are here to help so that you can concentrate onwhat ismostimportant - becoming a great veterinarian.

Both loan and scholarship programs are available to assist youwith funding the full cost of your education.

Students must make a realistic assessment of their financialsituation prior to coming to the island. When devising abudget, students should consider the following expenses:

TuitionUtilities

Health InsuranceBooksPhone

Evacuation InsuranceEquipmentInternet

Personal ExpensesRoom and BoardTransportation

A semester is four months long and it is easier to devise a“semester budget” to go along with the receipt of your loans.Remember - loansmust be paid back, so only borrowwhat youneed. Most lenders defer payment while the student is inschool and for up to four years into residency.

ScholarshipsAcademic ScholarshipsEach semester excellent first-semester students at St.Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine may beawarded academic scholarships from the school. Thisscholarship is for $2,000 per semester for the first seven (7)semesters of the curriculum, making the package worth$14,000. St. Matthew’s is proud to offer these academicscholarships to students who display exceptional promise inthe pursuit of a veterinary degree. It is our way of rewardingexcellence and encouraging individuals to pursue a veterinarydegree.At the time of application, candidates must:• Have completed an undergraduate degree.• Have completed coursework with heavy emphasis in the hardsciences.• Have earned an overall GPA not lower than 3.5.• Submit a letter requesting the consideration of theScholarship Committee. The letter must include (but not belimited to): academic achievement, community achievement,awards received.The scholarship recipient must meet the following criteria toretain the scholarship for successive Basic Science semesters:• Remain in the top 20%of his/her class• Have no disciplinary actionsTheAcademic ScholarshipReviewBoardmeets in Florida onoraround July 15, March 15, and November 15 of each year toreview all completed applications for all scholarship awards.All scholarship applications must be complete and ready forreview prior to these dates because the staff must prepare theapplications for review by the board. Therefore, it is necessaryto set a deadline for receipt of applications prior to themeetingof the Review Board. Deadlines for receipt of completedscholarship applications are as follows:• November 10 for January semester• March 10 for May semester• July 10 for September semesterScholarship recipients will be notified within two weeks of theScholarship Review Board’s decision.

The Cayman IslandsScholarshipAs part of St. Matthew’s University School ofVeterinary Medicine’s commitment to the countryand citizens of the Cayman Islands, one tuition andfees scholarship is offered to a qualified Caymaniancitizen each calendar year. This scholarship is onlyfor the didactic courses part of the program

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(presently the first seven (7) semesters on GrandCayman. )Applicantsmust submit the following information atthe time of application:• Letter of request to the Scholarship Review Boardexplaining the desire for consideration. This lettershould include (but not be limited to) examples oftenacity, compassion, and commitment to helpingothers and animals.• Proof of current Caymanian citizenship.TheCaymanianScholarshipReviewBoardconsistsofSt.Matthew’s University personnel and officials from theMinistryofHealth&Agricultureof theCaymanIslands.Scholarshiprecipientswill benotifiedwithin twoweeksof theScholarshipReviewBoard’s decision.

ApplicationsApplications for all scholarships are available onlineat www.stmatthews.edu or from the Florida office.

Completed applicationsmay be faxed to:1-800-565-7177

Completed applicationsmay bemailed to:St. Matthew’s University

School of VeterinaryMedicineOffice of Admissions—U.S. Office

12124High Tech Avenue, Suite 350Orlando, FL 32817Or via the website atwww.stmatthews.edu

CALENDARSemester TermDates Graduation

Summer 2008 May 5–Aug 15 August 22

Fall 2008 Sept 1–Dec 12 December 19

Spring 2009 Jan 5–April 17 May 2

Summer 2009 May 4–August 14 August 21

Fall 2009 Aug 31–Dec 11 December 18

Spring 2010 Jan 4–April 16 May 1

Summer 2010 May 3–Aug 13 August 20

Fall 2010 Aug 30–Dec 10 December 17

Spring 2011 Jan 3-April 15 April 30

Summer 2011 May 2-August12 August 20

Fall 2011 August 29-Dec 9 December 24

Please note that as SMU is an international school, weoperate on a three semester per year basis. Publicholidays from your home country may not be observed.

Scholarsh

ipsFinancialAid

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Semester IIVM 201 Veterinary Anatomy II – 6 creditsThis course highlights gross anatomy of the horse andruminants, with lesser emphasis on the pig, turtle and birds.Laboratories utilize equine and bovine cadavers. Live animalswill also be utilized during applied anatomy sessions. Lecturesmake use of differential features of body systems supported byradiographs to illustrate anatomical structures of clinicalsignificance.

VM 211 Veterinary Immunology – 4 creditsThe course will give a review of the innate and acquiredimmunity and their components, including both the humoraland cellular arms of the immune response. The course isdesigned to help you in understanding the animal body defensemechanisms at cellular and molecular levels. The role of hostdefense mechanisms and the development of acquiredimmunity after infection will be discussed. The use of thedifferent immunological tests in diagnosing animal diseases,malfunctions of the immune response and the role of vaccinesin disease prevention will be covered.

VM 221 Veterinary Physiology II – 4 creditsThis course focuses on veterinary gastrointestinal, endocrineand reproductive physiology, with special emphasis on thephysiological mechanisms underlying several diseases andconditions of clinical importance. This course also covers basicphysiology of exotic species (birds, reptiles and fishes) andhowspecific aspects of physiology differ between these taxa andmammals.

VM 281 AnimalWelfare and Behavior – 3 creditsThis course examines the normal and abnormal behavior andbionomics of various domestic livestock, companion, andlaboratory species. Welfare issues related to the practice ofveterinary medicine, diagnosis and treatment of commonbehavior problems, and learning theory are reviewed.

VM 291 Veterinary Clinical Skills II – 2 creditsThis course provides a general introduction to veterinarymedicine, with emphasis on veterinary issues relatingparticularly to horses. Topics that will be covered include:Equine breeds, handling and restraint, physical examinationtechniques, history taking skills, husbandry issues, basicveterinary terminology and an introduction to SOAP writing.Field trips and practical labs are an important component ofthis course.

CurriculumThe curriculum integrates basic and clinical science to providestudents the framework for integrating all of their accumulatingknowledge to be applied to the clinical setting. The studentsdevelop their knowledge of all species in both normal andabnormal states, building their skills from basic courseworkinto the clinical applications. The veterinary graduate isequipped to not only treat diseases of animals but also to solvedisease problems that affect both animals and humans. Withthe increase in frequency of zoonotic diseases and the focus on“One Health,” this is an increasingly important part ofveterinary education.Sensitivity to the human-animal bondhasbecome a very important component of clinical veterinarymedicine, and can have a major impact on the success of theveterinarian in a private practice setting. At St. Matthew’sUniversity, we believe that learning to balance hard scientificskills with accomplished people skills is vital to theveterinarian’s success.During the first seven (7) semesters,students participate in a series of basic and clinical sciencescourses that provide the knowledge that will lead to success inthe clinical application later in their clinical practice training.Relevance of basic science information to solutions of clinicalproblems is key to the educational process. Students learn therole of veterinary medicine in the community and the effectthat disease has on animals and the family involved as well asthe potential for transmission of zoonotic agents fromanimalsto the human population.

SMU School ofVeterinary MedicineCurriculumThere are 139 credit hours in the Veterinary curriculum. Eachcredit hour is equivalent to either 15 lecture hours or 30laboratory hours. Laboratory sessions provide the opportunityfor students to develop the ability to make observations andimprove their analytical skills. Also, some students learnmorequickly in this “hands on” experience.

Semester I: (19 Credit Hours)VM 101: Veterinary Anatomy I (5)VM 111: Veterinary Histology and Embryology (5)VM 121: Veterinary Physiology I (5)VM 131: Current Issues and PracticeManagement (2)VM 191: Veterinary Clinical Skills I (2)

Semester II: (19 Credit Hours)VM 201: Veterinary Anatomy II (6)VM 221: Veterinary Physiology II (4)VM 211: Veterinary Immunology (4)VM 281: AnimalWelfare and Behavior (3)VM 291: Veterinary Clinical Skills II (2)

Semester III: (21 Credit Hours)VM ___ Medical Spanish (1)VM 321: Veterinary Pharmacology I (3)VM 311: VeterinaryMicrobiology (4)VM 331: Veterinary Neuroscience (6)VM 371: Veterinary Parasitology (4)VM 385: Veterinary Ethics and Communications (2)VM 391: Veterinary Clinical Skills III (2)

Semester IV: (19 Credit Hours)VM 421: Veterinary Pharmacology II (4)VM 431: Veterinary Toxicology (3)VM 451: Veterinary Pathology I (4)VM 471: Veterinary Virology (4)VM 481: Veterinary Clinical Nutrition (4)

SemesterV: (19 Credit Hours)VM 541: Veterinary Public Health/Epidemiology (3)VM 551: Veterinary Pathology II (4)VM 561: Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (4)VM 571: Veterinary Anesthesiology (2)VM 581: Veterinary Clinical Pathology (4)VM 591: Veterinary Clinical Skills V (2)

SemesterVI: (21 Credit Hours)VM 601: Small AnimalMedicine I (5)VM 641: Food AnimalMedicine (5)VM 671: Avian, Fish and ExoticMedicine (5)VM 681: Theriogenology (4)VM 691: Veterinary Clinical Skills VI (2)

SemesterVII: (21 Credit Hours)VM 701: Small AnimalMedicine II (5)VM 741: Large AnimalMedicine (5)VM 761: Small Animal Surgery (6)VM 771: Large Animal Surgery (5)

Semester IVM 101 Anatomy I – 5 creditsStudents’ first exposure to anatomy will concentrate on thestructure of the dog, with some attention directed at the cat.Laboratories utilize canine cadavers, as well asmodels, skeletalspecimens, and radiographs. The lectures employcomputer-assisted instruction and clinical correlations tostress anatomical details.

VM 111Histology and Embryology – 5 creditsThe fundamental principles of histology, themicroscopic studyof body tissues and organ systems in domestic animals, arepresented in lecture and laboratory formats. Complementaryunderstanding of developmental anatomy of the animal bodyis approached through the study of chick and pig embryos withreference to developmental anomalies.

VM 121 Veterinary Physiology I – 5 creditsInstruction includes an emphasis on cellular and organismalphysiology, including the functions of membranes in soluteand solvent transport systems. The course will also presentcurrent information on physiologic functions of therespiratory, renal, and cardiovascular systems, includingcomposition of blood and pathways of coagulation.Laboratories utilize simulations.

VM 131 Current Issues and PracticeManagement– 2 creditsThis coursewill provide students with a forum to discussmajorcurrent issues facing veterinary medicine in adiscussion/seminar format. The course also will introducepractice and business management concepts to beginpreparing students for the business aspect of veterinarymedicine.

VM 191 Veterinary Clinical Skills I – 2 creditsThis course provides a general introduction to veterinarymedicine, with emphasis on veterinary issues relating tocompanion animals. Topics covered include: Breeds (dog andcat), handling and restraint, the basics of performing a smallanimal physical examination, history taking skills,communication skills, safety and biosecurity issues, trainingtechniques and alternative medicine. Field trips and practicallabs are an important component of this course

Semester

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UCurriculum

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Semester VIVM 601 Small AnimalMedicine I – 5 creditsStudents investigate concepts concerning the diagnosis,treatment, andmanagement of infectious and non-infectiousdiseases affecting small companion animals, includingdermatology, ophthalmology, urology, endocrinology, andmore.

VM 641 Food AnimalMedicine – 5 creditsThe course studies a selected list of commonmedical diseasesof food producing animals. For each disease commondifferential diagnoses are presented, and ancillarymethods fordiagnosis are listed. Ample case studies and clinical examplesare presented in a lecture format. The principles of medicaltherapy and prevention are discussed in detail. Swine, sheep,goats and cattle (beef and dairy) are discussed.

VM 671 Avian, Fish and ExoticMedicine – 5 creditsThis course covers anatomy, physiology, husbandry, andmedicine of commonly encountered exotic, zoo and wildlifespecies (fish, reptiles, marine mammals, pet birds, smallmammals, lab animals, large zoo animals, wildlife). Discussiontopics include clinical diagnostic techniques (including animalhandling and restraint, physical examination, clinicalsampling, imaging, necropsy), infectious and noninfectiousdiseases andmedical and surgical approaches to treating thesediseases. Important topics related specifically to the exoticsanimal practice are also discussed.

VM 681 Theriogenology – 3 creditsThe course presents material on the normal and abnormalreproductive function of dogs, and the common livestockspecies including cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and horses.Laboratories on breeding soundness and semen morphologyof dogs are included. Special attention ismade toward dystociacorrection of livestock, stallion handling and management,assisted reproduction technologies, and breeding soundnessof mares and cows. Pelvic examination of cattle and horses isemphasized.

VM 691 Veterinary Clinical Skills VI – 2 creditsThis course familiarizes students with examination techniquesof small and large animals. Aseptic techniques, neurologic,urogenital, ophthalmic and lameness exams, clinicalpathology, and selected large and small clinical animal topicsare covered. Instruction includes techniques necessary toobtain clinical data, with emphasis on thorough physicalexamination and problem-oriented veterinary medicalrecords. Clinical practical sessions utilize referral andappointment cases. Students gain experience in commonveterinary diagnostic techniques.

Semester VVM 541 Veterinary Public Health/Epidemiology – 3 creditsTopics will include the use of epidemiologic methods tounderstand disease events in animals, including theinteractions of domestic animals, wildlife, the environmentand the human population. The role of the veterinarian inpublic health is presented with respect to safety of the foodchain and the increased incidence of zoonotic agents.

VM 551 Veterinary Pathology II –4 creditsThis course continues the discussion of anatomic pathologywith a focus on disease processes in specific organ systems,including reproductive, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory,alimentary, liver, muscle and bone systems.

VM 561Diagnostic Imaging – 4 creditsWill introduce the student to the fundamentals of diagnosticradiology and acquaint the student with other imagingmodalities such as ultrasound (US), computed tomography(CT),magnetic resonance (MR) andnuclearmedicine (NM) asthey are used in veterinary medicine.

VM 571 Veterinary Anesthesiology – 2 creditsIntegrated lectures and laboratories are designed to introducestudents to the principles of general and local anesthesia ofsmall and large animals, and also recognition, treatment, andprevention of anesthetic emergencies. Laboratory instructionprovides students with experience in small animal anesthesia,in addition to demonstrations of monitoring equipment,mechanical ventilation, and large animal general anesthesia.

VM 581 Veterinary Clinical Pathology - 4 creditsStudents learn the principles of hematology, cytology andclinical chemistry. They are taught to interpret clinical dataderived from blood, serum, urine and aspirates from solidtissues and fluids. Clinical cases are presented to the studentsand they are required to apply their knowledge to interpret thecases andmake appropriate differential diagnoses.

VM 591 Clinical Skills V – 2 creditsThis course provides in depth exposure to handling of animalsof all species and provides significant experience in doing aphysical examination, various restraint techniques and clinicalprocedures. Visits to production sites will provideopportunities for students to gain experience in the normalproduction setting

Semester IIIVMMedical Spanish – 1 creditsThe Medical Spanish course will provide the basiccommunication skills for themedical practice. Its focuswill bethe usual verbal exchanges that happen in the patient-doctorrelation. Emphasis will be placed in the most commonmistakes that have the potential to impair the compliance withtreatment and the overall trust in the relation, while keepingthe broad aim of the course in improving the understanding ofbasic Spanish in themedical setting

VM 311 VeterinaryMicrobiology – 4 creditsThe course covers basic and pathogenic bacteriology andmycology. The objective of the course is to give veterinarystudents a thorough introduction to the theoretical andpractical basis for the study of bacterial and fungal pathogens ofanimals. Lectures cover description of the organismsthemselves as well as virulence, pathogenesis, diagnosis andcontrol of animal pathogens. Zoonotic potential of some of themicrobes and food safety issues are also discussed. To relateconcepts of lectures to practicals, laboratory exercises arecarried out usingmicrobiological techniques for isolation andidentification of disease causing bacteria.

VM 321 Veterinary Pharmacology – 3 creditsThe course focuses on the general principles ofpharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. It also covers thedrugs acting on the autonomic and central nervous systems,respiratory and renal systems and the gastrointestinal tract.

VM 331 Veterinary Neuroscience – 6 creditsThis course will examine the anatomical, physiological, andpathological fundamentals of neurological diseases. Individualclinical case studies will be integrated.

VM 371 Veterinary Parasitology – 4 creditsThis course examines helminthic, protozoan, and arthropodparasites which affect domestic animals, including animalparasites transmissible to humans. Life cycles, identification,transmission, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment ofparasites are stressed in lecture. The laboratories focus onidentification of parasites, and the clinical signs and lesionsthey produce.

VM 385 Veterinary Ethics/Jurisprudence/Professionalism– 2 creditsThe course is an introduction to veterinary ethics andveterinary law. Students will learn ethical theory and discussnumerous clinical cases involving ethical decisions, as well asthe laws that govern veterinary practice. Additional topics willinclude: conducting oneself in a professional manner withcolleagues and the public, client communications, preparing aprofessional resume and interviewing for professionalpositions.16

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VM 391 Clinical Skills III – 2 creditsThis course provides a general introduction to veterinarymedicine, with emphasis on veterinary issues such as ethics,animal breeds, animal welfare, behavior, animal restraint,alternativemedicine, and substance abuse. Additional species,including food animals such as goats, pigs and cattle are pre-sented for students to acquire appropriate animal handlingskills.

Semester IVVM 421 Veterinary Pharmacology II – 4 creditsThe course is a continuation for pharmacology I and it coversnon-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, antimicrobial agents,and drugs acting on the cardiovascular system and on theendocrine system. It also covers the chemotherapeutic agentsand gene therapy.

VM 431 Veterinary Toxicology – 3 creditsBasic and clinical aspects of the more common toxins thataffect domestic animals/birds and wildlife will be considered.Emphasis will be given to intoxication resulting from druginteractions, pesticides (rodenticides, insecticides,herbicides), heavy metals (arsenic, copper, lead, iron, zincetc.), poisonous plants, mycotoxins, gases, feed additives,poisonous and venomous animal toxins, household toxins,prescriptions/recreational/over the counter medications,selected industrial pollutants and forensic considerations.

VM 451 Veterinary Pathology I – 4 creditsThis course examines the diseases and their processes intissues andorgans of the domestic animals. The general diseaseprocesses of cells and tissues—degeneration, necrosis,inflammation, growth abnormalities, and neoplasia—arestudied, as well as the healing process. This course begins thestudy of the diseases of the various organ systems.

VM 471 Veterinary Virology – 4 creditsThis course investigates the basic properties and clinicalaspects of important domestic and foreign animal viruses.Topics discussed include thenature, taxonomy, replication andpathogenesis of important virus families, as well as clinical andpathological characteristics, methods of diagnosis,epidemiology, and methods of treating, preventing andcontrolling the spread of specific viral diseases of veterinarysignificance.

VM 481 Veterinary Clinical Nutrition – 4 creditsThis course is taught in twoparts. The first half focuses on smallanimal nutrition. Students will be taught a break down ofnutrients and ingredients and their role in dog and catnutrition. They will also be introduced to the commercial petfood industry and learn how to properly read pet food labels.Students will be required to research nutrition as it relates tovarious small animal diseases. The second half of the course isfocused on large animal nutrition and production.

SemesterIII-IV

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Academic Performance

RegistrationStudents must be registered and enrolled at all times unlessthey have received written approval for a “Leave of Absence.”Students may take only up to a total of two leaves of absence,during their entire career at SMU, and only after receivingwritten approval from the Dean of the School of VeterinaryMedicine. Acceptable reasons for granting a leave of absenceare listed later in this section. Granting a leave of absence isthe Dean’s prerogative, but no more than a total of two will beallowed for any student. However, the student will be chargedan administrative fee and must register during a Leave ofAbsence to maintain his/her spot in the program. If a studentfails to enroll, his/her status will become “Withdrawn” andhe/she must apply for readmission. Students will notautomatically be considered enrolled. Possible student statusincludes only: Basic Science (semester noted), Clinical Science(semester noted), Approved Leave of Absence (up to twosemesters total), Dismissed, Alumni, or Deceased.The registration process is as follows:Registration will begin on-line (www.smuonline.com)approximately 6weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.Students who have not transferred courses from anotherveterinary school or failed any courses should register at thistime. Transfer students and students who have failed coursesmust correspond with the Dean prior to registering.Week 1 of each semester is devoted to new incoming studentsand students who have not been successful in all of theirprevious semester’s coursework. The Registrar will be oncampus to address new students and instruct them in theregistration process.The Registrar will coordinate with the Dean for courseapprovals to ensure that all class rosters are correct. The

Semester VIIVM 701 Small AnimalMedicine II – 5 creditsStudents investigate concepts concerning the diagnosis,treatment, and management of infectious and non-infectiousdiseases affecting small companion animals, includingcardiology, neurology, oncology, and other diseases.

VM 741 Large AnimalMedicine II – 5 creditsMedical conditions of horses are described and discussedwithrespect to etiopathogenesis, treatment, prevention and control,using a systems based, problemoriented approach. Principlesof equine clinical pathology, therapeutics and critical care areaddressed. A brief overview of camelid medicine and surgeryis included.

VM 761 Small Animal Surgery – 6 creditsThis course is an introduction to surgery of the dog and cat, withemphasis on basic principles of asepsis, tissue handling, andsurgical skills. Laboratories focus on students performingsurgical procedures which are common in small animalpractice.

VM 771 Large Animal Surgery – 5 creditsThe large animal surgery course is a combined lecture andlaboratory that discusses all major surgical conditions ofhorses, ruminants, swine, and to a lesser extent, of camelids.There are 4 cadaver laboratories for food animals. Otherlaboratories may be scheduled depending upon relevantclinical case material, or upon availability of equine cadavers.

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Clinical ScienceRotationsDuring the last 12 months (Semesters 8-10) students areassigned to one of the contract affiliate veterinary schools inthe United States. Currently these universities are: Florida,Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina State, Oklahoma State,Pennsylvania andPurdue. Students typically do a general set ofrotations and can supplement rotations at the selected schoolwith externships in various approved practice or public agencysites.

The clinical rotations will generally include the following:•Small Animal Medicine•Small Animal Surgery•Small Animal Medicine sub-specialtiesincluding dermatology, ophthalmology,neurology, cardiology•Diagnostic Imaging•EquineMedicine•Equine Surgery•Food Animal Medicine•Food Animal Surgery•Theriogenology•Anesthesiology•Diagnostic Medicine

Depending on the institution, students will be able to select4-6 additional elective rotations, either at the host institutionor at other approved sites. These elective externships providethe opportunity for students to exploremore specialized areassuch as exotic species or learn about career options in publichealth or related areas.

SemesterVII

Academ

icPerform

anceregistrar will verify class attendanceto Student Accounts so that FinancialAid monies can be released tostudents. All students must beregistered by the first Friday of thesemester. No financial aid monieswill be released until a student’sregistration is complete.Any student who fails to comply withthese procedures will not beadmitted to class for the newsemester, will not receive financialaid funds, and/or will not receivecredit for clinical studies. Anystudent who is in clinical rotationsand has not completed the requiredregistration procedures will beremoved from his/her site.

Student PerformanceStudent performance is determined on the basis ofachievement of each prescribed course or clinical rotation.Studentsmust achieve a passing level established by the facultyof each course or Clinical rotation to earn promotion fromsemester to semester.

Grading System and Academic Standards PolicyThe School of Veterinary Medicine began using the followingsystem for the Spring Semester 2008. It utilizes the 4 pointsystemswith a passing grade of 60%. The system also uses theplus and minus for each of the grades except for A for whichthere is no plus value. The scale and assigned grades are listedbelow.

Grade GPA %Grade

A 4 94-100%A- 3.667 90-93.9%B+ 3.333 87-89.9%B 3 84-86.9%B- 2.667 80-83.9%C+ 2.333 77-79.9%C 2 74-76.9%C- 1.677 70-73.9%D+ 1.333 67-69.9%D 1 64-66.9%D- 0.677 60-63.9%F 0 <60%

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a. A student shall be dismissed from the School if she orhe has 2 ormoreD’s or 1F in a semester. However, by petitionto the faculty the student can be permitted to re-enroll andmust repeat all courses in that semester and achieve acumulative GPA above 2.0 for all courses taken, including theoriginal grades.

b. A student who receives a grade of F in only one coursemay petition the faculty to consider extenuating circumstances.If the student is granted an exception and allowed to take amakeup exam, successful completion of the test will result in agrade no higher than D for that course. In the event that suchan appeal is denied, the student may then submit a furtherpetition as defined under Section 2-a.

c. All petitions related to probationary status or otherissues covered above must be presented in writing to theAcademic Standards Committee of the faculty. The petitionshall be accompanied by a statement from the advisor of thestudent making the petition.3. Withdrawal from a coursea. Because of the lockstep or sequential nature of the

veterinary curriculum, withdrawal from a course is notpermitted except in extreme cases such as a medicalemergency. In such cases, the student may withdraw from allcourses or take a Leave of Absence and return at the beginningof the next semester and repeat all courses for the semester inwhich he/she were enrolled at the time of withdrawal.

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4. Incomplete Course policya. To receive an “incomplete” for a course requires the

approval of both the instructor of the course and writtenapproval of theDean. All incompletesmust be completed by nolater than the last day of class of the next semester. To receivean “incomplete” requires the approval of both the instructorfor that course and the written approval of the Dean, School ofVeterinary Medicine.

Failing a CourseFailed courses are listed on the transcript. When a course isrepeated, it is listed a second time along with the gradereceived. Any student who receives unsatisfactory grades for acombined total of 21 semester credit hours will be dismissedfrom the program.

AttendanceClasses at SMU are small, and interaction among students andteachers is encouraged. Students are expected to attend all classsessions. The mandatory 80% attendance policy is strictlyenforced. If a student misses more than 20%of the scheduledclass time, the student will fail that course regardless ofacademic performance. The Student Handbook describescircumstances in which excuses may be granted.

Official Leaves of AbsenceThe Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine or his/herdesignee will consider all requests for an Official Leave ofAbsence by students who:• Experience financial hardship and need to take time off toraise funds for their education;• Suffer an illness or injury, or have a family member whosuffers an illness or injury that requires the student’s presence;• Need limited time off to take advantage of an educationalopportunity to travel, conduct research, or attend classeselsewhere.

Only two leaves of absence for one semester each may begranted. Each request is subject to the approval of the Dean.TheDean bases decisions on whether a semester away is likelyto allow the student to resolve a situation, and whether thestudent’s performance and behavior suggest a reasonablechance of success upon their return. Students who are notgranted official leavesmay apply for readmissionwhen they areready to resume their education.Studentsmay be required to begin paying any outstanding debtto SMU if they fail to enroll for the next semester or take anunapproved leave. Students taking a leave of absence will beexpending their 6month grace period on repayment of loans.At the end of the grace period the student will go intorepayment of student loans.

GraduationIn order to graduate from St. Matthew’s University School ofVeterinary Medicine, students must apply for graduation,satisfactorily complete all of their required classes, and be ingood standing with the University.

LicensureIn order to practice in the United States, graduates of theSchool of Veterinary Medicine, St. Matthew’s University mustuse a licensure path for non-accredited schools. This can beeither the Educational Commission for Foreign VeterinaryGraduates (ECFVG) process or the procedure established bythe AmericanAssociation of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB),known as the Program for the Assessment of VeterinaryEducation Experience (PAVE). In either case, the graduatethen must pass the North American Veterinary LicensureExamination (NAVLE).Both programs require proof of proficiency in the Englishlanguage prior to the veterinary medical portions of theprocess. For the ECFVGprogram, the graduatemust completea Basic and Clinical Sciences Exam and also a ClinicalProficiency Exam before being certified and eligible for theNAVLE. Under the AAVSB program the student must pass theInternational English Language Testing System (IELTS) or anequivalent test such as the TOEFL exam prior to sitting for thePAVE examination. Passage of the PAVE examination isrequired before taking the NAVLE.Students can find complete information on these twopathways at the following web sites:www.aavsb.org/PAVE/PAVEHome.aspxfor the AAVSB program orwww.avma.org/education/ecfvg/default.aspfor the ECFVG program.

Academic Standards PolicyThe following probation anddrop rules apply to students in theSchool of Veterinary Medicine.1. Probation Rulesa. Grade point averages used to determine probation and

dismissal drop status will include only grades received in theprofessional core curriculum and any elective courses that areapproved by the School faculty.

b. If a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA)falls below 2.0 at the end of any semester, the student shall beplaced on probation for the next semester for which he or sheregisters. Probationary status serves as awarning to the studentthat unless his or her scholarship improves, the student issubject to the dismissal rule defined in 2-a, is in academicjeopardy andmay be dismissed from the school.

c. If at the end of a semester on probation, a student hasfailed to raise her/his cumulative GPA above 2.0 and beremoved from probationary status, the student will bedismissed from the School of Veterinary Medicine for poorscholarship. Exception: a student who is placed on probationat the end of the first semester and who fails to be removedfrom that status at the end of the following semester may bepermitted to advance to Semester 3 after successful petition tothe faculty. However, if at the end of Semester 3, the student’scumulative grade point average is still less than2.0, the studentshall be dismissed from the School.2. Dismissal Rules

AcademicStandards A

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to theUniversity’s Disciplinary Committee formore extensiveinvestigation and a judicial hearing.When it is determined thata disciplinary violation has occurred, the committee canrecommend remedies ranging froma verbal orwrittenwarningto suspension or dismissal from the School. Procedures andpolicies regarding the administration of disciplinary hearingsand associated remedies can be found in the StudentHandbook.

Student Life

Student ServicesNew Student OrientationEach semester, all new students, including transfer students,are scheduled for a day of orientation, course registration andadvising activities just prior to the first day of classes. TheOffice of theDean collaborates with faculty, staff and returningstudents to facilitate the introduction of new students to St.Matthew’s administrators, faculty, teaching and learningphilosophies, programs, policies and procedures. Membersof the Associate Student American Veterinary MedicalAssociation chapter introduce new students to life on campusand are available to answer questions about the St. Matthew’sexperience.

Standards ofProfessional Behaviorand Academic Honesty

University Dress CodeAs part of the student’s education as a future veterinarian, St.Matthew’s University has established a culture andenvironment based on professional presentation and conduct.Consistent with its training objectives, the University hasestablished a standard dress code for all students. This policyis designed to create a sense of professional decorum andrespect with each student and between members of theUniversity community, as well as to actively maintain aprofessional appearance within the community at large.Throughout the class day andduring specificUniversity events,students are required to wear polo shirts of a specified colorand tan or khaki colored long pants hemmed to the appropriatelength. Knee length shorts are acceptable. Women studentshave the option of wearing tan or khaki colored skirts thatmustbe of a tasteful length and appearance appropriate to aprofessional business environment. Violations of the dresscode are handled through the Office of the Director of StudentAffairs. Students may wear blue scrub suits on days when theclass schedule involves animals in laboratory or clinicalsettings.

Student Conduct,Academic Honesty, andDisciplinary ProceduresEach student is expected to behave in amanner consistent withthe University’s mission as an educational institution.Behaviors judged unprofessional, unethical, dishonest, illegal,threatening, or dangerous may be considered examples ofmisconduct. Specific examples of violations that fall under thepurviewof theUniversity’s disciplinary policies canbe found inthe StudentHandbook. Also included in the StudentHandbookare Guidelines for Academic Honesty. The University expectsall students to engage in academic pursuits in amanner that isabove reproach. Students are expected to maintain completehonesty and integrity in the academic experiences both in andoutside the classroom. Any student found guilty of dishonestyin any phase of academic work will be subject to disciplinaryaction. Specific definitions and policies regarding cheating,plagiarism, unauthorized collusion, and abuse of resourcematerials can be found in the StudentHandbook. Disciplinaryreferrals are handled by the Dean of the School of VeterinaryMedicine. The Dean will conduct an initial investigation andmay then administer the necessary remedies or refer the case

students. St. Matthew’s has volleyball equipment that may bechecked out by all students. Significant discounts areavailable for SMU students on recreational activities, dining,and shopping.

Student Government &OrganizationsThe students in veterinary medicine are student members ofthe American Veterinary Medical Association and areorganized in an Associate Student American VeterinaryMedical Association (ASAVMA) chapter. The individualclasses elect a class representative to the ASAVMAand officersof the organization are elected annually. The ASAVMA servesas a forum for student concerns about programs and policiesof the School and theDeanmeets regularly with them to discussissues ofmutual concern. They alsomay nominate students torepresent the student body on selected university committees.In addition to the activities of the ASAVMA, there are severalinterest groups that studentsmay associate with. Among theseare the Food Animal (AABP), Animal Behavior, Exotic Species(ZEW), Equine Club (AAEP) and Student American AnimalHospital Association (AAHA) group. These groups provideopportunities for outside speakers on topics of special interestto students and provide for fostering of students’ interests inspecific areas of veterinary medicine.

Diversity & OpportunityIt is the policy of St. Matthew’s University School of Medicinethat there shall be no discrimination against persons becauseof race, religion, age, creed, color, gender, disability, sexualorientation, national origin, marital status, veteran status, orpolitical belief or affiliation, and that equal opportunity shallbe available for all. St. Matthew’s University is pleased andproud to have a remarkably diverse student body.

StudentLife&Services

StudentLife

&Services

Academic Assistance,Guidance and CounselingThe office of the Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine, worksclosely with faculty to provide direction and support forstudents in times of academic difficulty. The two unit Chairs(Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Clinical Sciences)organize academic advisement programs and assist the Deanin remediation planning. Academic Counseling is available toany student who wishes to explore learning and study skillsdevelopment, time-management or test-taking strategies, andis required for confidential assistance with personal matters,social adjustment, family crisis management, and helpplanning alternate programs of study and assistance in thereassessment of priorities when circumstances necessitate achange of plan.

HousingAll entering SMU students stay in University Housing the firstsemester of study. These are modern dormitories locatedwithin biking distance of the campus. A housing application isincluded with the student’s acceptance packet. Studentsbringing dependents arrange for their own housing. SMU willbe more than happy to provide whatever assistance possible.More informationmaybe obtainedby contacting theU.S. officeat 1-800-498-9700.

RecreationNumerous recreational and sporting opportunities areavailable for St. Matthew’s students. SMU has corporatememberships at local gyms that students may accesseveryday. Access to Seven Mile Beach is only steps away fromthe campus and several golf courses, cycling and running areasare nearby. Many local sports leagues are open to

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CarolynMcKinnie, D.V.M.

Assistant Professor of Veterinary MedicineD.V.M., Colorado State UniversityDate of appointment: September 2006

Dr. McKinnie has had extensive experience working withmarine mammals, including dolphins and other species andhas also had experience working with a variety of species in azoo setting.

Samantha Shields, D.V.M.

Assistant Professor of Veterinary MedicineD.V.M., St. George⤙s University, Grenada

Dr. Shields has experienceworking in pet animal nutrition andhas served as assistant curator of Terrestrial Exhibits and staffveterinarian at theCaymanTurtle Farm,GrandCayman Island.She serves as a Co-leader of theMarVet program.

Veterinary AdjunctFacultyCatherine Bell, B.A.

B.A., University of Essex UKDate of appointment: May 2006

Alan Emsley, Ph.D.

Ph.D., University of NebraskaDate of appointment: January 2007

Michelle Fabiani, D.V.M.,DACVR

D.V.M., Texas A andMUniversityDate of appointment: January 2007

Stephen A. Greene, D.V.M.,M.S.,DACVA

D.V.M., Washington State University College of VeterinaryMedicineDate of appointment: January 2007

Kurt Grimm, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D., DACVA, DACVCP

D.V.M., Iowa State CVM, 1995Ph.D., M.S., University of IllinoisDate of appointment: January 2007

Brian Poteet, D.V.M., DACVR

D.V.M., Texas A andMUniversityDate of appointment: January 2007

LanaWatler, D.V.M.

B.S., University of TorontoD.V.M., University of GuelphDate of appointment: January 2007

Taha Taha, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Veterinary PharmacologyDate of appointment: August 2006

Veterinary ClinicalSciencesHeather Wilson Barron, D.V.M., M.S., ABVP

Chair of Veterinary Clinical SciencesProfessor of Clinical SciencesD.V.M., University of GeorgiaDate of appointment: March 2007Dr. HeatherWilson Barron is a graduate of the UGA College ofVeterinary Medicine, where she also completed herresidency in Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery.In addition to being a professor at UGA for 10 years, she alsohas spent several years in private practice. She is a boardeddiplomate in avian medicine, but has interest and experiencein all areas of exotic and small animal medicine.

Lori Gaskins, D.V.M., Dipl. ACVB

Assistant Professor of Animal BehaviorD.V.M., North Carolina State UniversityResidency, Animal Behavior; University of California-DavisDate of appointment: November 2007Dr. Gaskins has had 15 years of experience in private clinicalpractice, with an emphasis on emergencymedicine and,morerecently, on animal behavior problems in small animals. Shehas completed a residency in animal behavior and is aDiplomate in theAmericanCollege of Veterinary Behaviorists.

Lisle George, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Professor of Food Animal MedicineD.V.M., Cornell UniversityPh.D., Cornell UniversityDipl. ACVIMDate of appointment: February 2008Dr. George was previously Professor of Food AnimalMedicine at the University of California-Davis and served asChief of the FoodAnimal Section from 1998-2007. Dr. Georgehas won numerous awards for excellence in teaching. He alsoserves as a consultant on ruminants and swine for theVeterinary Information Network. Dr. George's majorresearch interest is on Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis(pinkeye).

Charles Dickinson, D.V.M., M.S.

Professor of EquineMedicineD.V.M. Colorado State UniversityM.S. Colorado State UniversityDiplomate ACVIMDate of appointment: January 2008Dr. Dickinson has served as a Clinical Instructor and thenClinical Assistant Professor from 1993-2005 at Colorado StateUniversity. He has operated his own practice in equinemedicine since 2005.

Humboldt Supplemental Award from the Institute furTierzucht in Germany. He is an Honor Roll Member of theAmerican Veterinary Medical Association and a CharterDiplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. DrWagner's research experience encompasses both infectiousand non-infectious aspects of reproductive disorders ofanimals.

Veterinary BiosciencesScott Taylor, Ph.D.

Chair of Veterinary BiosciencesAssociate Professor of Veterinary BiosciencesPh.D., Florida Institute of TechnologyDate of appointment: August 2006

Dr. Taylor is involved in research with green sea turtles and isa co-leader of theMarVet programheld annually at the school.

Selwyn A. Headley, D.V.M., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Veterinary PathologyD.V.M., Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, BrazilM.Sc., Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, BrazilPh.D., Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil

Dr. Headley has taught pathology to both veterinary andgraduates students at veterinary schools in Brazil for severalyears (2000-2005) and has been a Senior Lecturer inVeterinary Pathology at the University of Helsinki sinceJanuary 2007. His research focuses on Neorickettsiahelminthoeca in dogs.Date of appointment: August 2008

Bruce Hundley, Ph.D.

Professor of Veterinary PhysiologyPh.D., State University of New YorkDate of appointment: January 2006

Saraj Kumar, B.V.Sc.,Ph.D.

Professor of Veterinary HistologyB.V.Sc., Punjab Agricultural University, College VeterinarySciencesM.S., All India Institute of Medical SciencesPh.D, Haryana Agricultural UniversityDate of appointment: August 2005

Mohamed Satti, Ph.D.

Professor of Veterinary Immunology and ParasitologyPh.D., Institute of Medical Microbial/Immunol, CopenhagenUniversityDate of appointment: January 2006

Suresh Sharma, Ph.D.

Professor of Veterinary MicrobiologyPh.D., Haryana Agricultural UniversityDate of appointment: May 2006

AdministrationChancellorJohnMarvin, M.B.A.

Vice Chancellor of Veterinary MedicineRichard Dierks, DVM, PhD,MPH,M.B.A.

Executive DeanVincent Knight, Ph.D.

Dean of Veterinary MedicineDr. William C.Wagner, DVM, PhD

Associate Dean of Clinical AffairsGregg BeVier, DVM,M.B.A.

Chief Financial OfficerTerry Moya, B.S., C.P.A.

Vice President, EnrollmentJohn F. Dietrich, Ed.D.

ControllerLisa Fox

Director of AdmissionsTerrence

Director of Financial AidGloria Miranda-Avila

Director of Information TechnologyTomMiller

RegistrarJennifer Applequist

Coordinator of Alumni ServicesMary Jenkins

LibrarianRebecca Ayers

Veterinary FacultyWilliamWagner, wwagner@stmatthews.eduD.V.M.,Ph.D.,Dipl. ACT

Dean of the School of Veterinary MedicineD.V.M., Cornell UniversityPh.D., Cornell UniversityDr.Wagner served as Professor andHead of theDepartment ofVeterinary Biosciences at theUniversity of Illinois, Professor atthe Veterinary Medical Research Institute at Iowa StateUniversity, and National Program Leader of VeterinaryMicrobiology and Pathology at the U.S. Department ofAgriculture. Dr.Wagner has received numerous awards for hiswork, including the William Switzer Award for MeritoriousService in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University aswell as the David Bartlett Award for career achievements fromthe American College of Theriogenologists. Dr. Wagner wasalso named a Distinguished Scholar of the National Academyof Practice - Veterinary Medicine, and earned both a SeniorFulbright Research Fellowship and the Alexander von

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