Students interact with different components of a working veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Through group reviews of New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab cases, students learn about diseases using cases tailored to individual student interests. Pathologists and NHVDL staff provide information on disease processes, pathogenesis, and testing modalities. Students observe diagnostic techniques and archived gross and digital tissue specimens. Emphasis is on integrating knowledge of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, etc. within the context of molecular pathogenesis.

Theoretical basis of the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and diagnosis of fungal, parasitic, and viral infections.

Practical experience in medical mycology and parasitology diagnostic techniques. Isolation and identification of mycological and parasitological specimens. Principles and practices of proper specimen collections, analysis, and interpretation of results.

An examination of the importance of scientific integrity in the biomedical sciences. Students are introduced to the ethical issues that scientists must be familiar with when conducting research. Issues include scientific record keeping, authorship and peer review, conflicts of interest, use of animals and humans in research, and recombinant DNA technology. Class is discussion-based, encouraging both an appreciation of established guidelines and an opportunity to critically examine them.