Wildlife Medicine Program - Teaching

All Cummings veterinary students learn about wildlife medicine through the core courses in the first, second and third years: Comparative Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Zoological Medicine, and Zoological Medicine . In addition to formal coursework, students can participate in a journal club, elective courses, seminars, and student organizations dedicated to wildlife and conservation biology. Students also have numerous opportunities to become involved in environmental research that includes laboratory and field work, as well as policy issues.

Tufts' veterinary students spend a fourth-year clinical rotation at the Wildlife Clinic, a period that, for many, provides a strong foundation for their future professional contributions. Working with native wildlife and zoological species in a hands-on manner helps students gain important skills in handling, restraint, medicine, and surgery. Through their practical experience at the Clinic and their classroom education in environmental studies and comparative medicine, Tufts veterinary students achieve a substantial understanding of the complex issues affecting individual wildlife populations, and ecological systems.

The Department of Environmental and Population Health, the administrative home of the Wildlife Clinic, reinforces this spirit through its course offerings and seminar activities. Working in the environmental sciences, students are reminded of the critical connection among animals, natural resources, and humans. The department also provides a focus for scholarly attention to ethical issues related to wild and domestic animals in society and to the broader aspects of human-animal relationships.