University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, College of Veterinary Medicine, IL

Description of Elective Experience

Population Medicine Rotation

This four-week clinical rotation is designed to integrate fundamental and applied medical skills to address both infectious and noninfectious diseases in food animal populations. Conducted both on and off campus, this experience provides exposure to modern agricultural practices across the major food-producing species in North America.

During the rotation, students will:

  • Review clinically significant diseases, treatment options, and the economic considerations involved in decision-making at both the individual and herd level.
  • Tour modern production and harvest facilities.
  • Explore diagnostic methods and testing procedures.
  • Discuss the veterinarian’s role in disease control and learn how to design and evaluate field trials.

Second Two Weeks: Herd-Level Investigations (Late September/Early October)

Students will shift focus to herd-level diagnostics, disease prevention strategies, and conducting herd health investigations.

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.
Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?

Rotation Structure & Travel Expectations

Students should be prepared for extended travel, including multiple consecutive nights away from campus. Housing will be provided, but students may need to arrange their own transportation to off-campus locations.

Grading

Grading is based on effort, attitude, the demonstrated ability to work with livestock owners, understanding of the basics of infectious disease and livestock production, and student’s growth in skills and knowledge over each two-week block.


 

Supervisor
Jim Lowe
Contact email
Address

2001 S Lincoln Ave
Urbana, IL 60802
United States

Animal Type
Practice or Institution Type
Is student housing available?
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week
40
Global engagement opportunity
No
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