University of Michigan, Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine

The Veterinary Student Clinical Externships Program offers a variety of activities aimed at expanding a student’s understanding of the laboratory animal medicine field. Activities and learning objectives may include, but are not limited to:

• Expanded knowledge base in husbandry, biology, and diseases of common laboratory animal species through clinical work and participation in didactic seminars, study groups, and journal club.
   
• Improved and expanded clinical skills through direct participation in clinical cases and clinical rounds by shadowing veterinary technicians and/or residents, and through participation in case management with resident or faculty oversight.
   
• Increased understanding of animal pathology through direct work with pathologists and residents on current case submissions, attendance and participation in necropsies, and pathology rounds.
   
• Better understanding of animal anesthesia and perioperative care of multiple species through assisting Animal Surgery Operating Room Technicians with surgical procedures.
   
• Learn the basic principles of managing large colonies of laboratory animals by studying the basics of rodent health monitoring and quality assurance, attending Rodent Health Surveillance Team meetings, and shadowing Rodent Health Surveillance Technicians.
   
• Gain exposure to research techniques and animal models of disease through the study of clinical cases, review of animal protocol proposals, and attending select IACUC animal use training courses.

The University of Michigan Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) has eleven full-time faculty veterinarians including eight laboratory animal medicine residents. ULAM also has a full service pathology department with five veterinarians boarded in veterinary pathology. In addition, ULAM has multiple veterinary technicians and husbandry personnel to support veterinary and animal care services. There are three dedicated animal surgery operating rooms that are managed by ULAM personnel. 

EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT:

• Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Occasional Saturday or Sunday (not a full day)
• Weeknights, approximately 1 or 2 hours per night for reading and/or reviewing materials

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

In order to determine successful program completion, students are evaluated on:

1. Professional conduct
2. Attendance and participation
3. Clinical acumen
4. Completion and quality of assigned project(s)

Students will shadow faculty and resident veterinarians on clinical cases and attend seminar-lectures. 

University of Michigan - ULAM
North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
United States