Graduate co-ordinator - Peter Physick-Sheard (2532 OVC, Ext. 4053) (E-mail: pphysick-sh@ovcnet.uoguelph.ca)
Graduate secretary - Mary Elliott (2509 OVC, Ext. 4780) (E-mail: melliott@ovcnet.uoguelph.ca)
Brenda Bonnett BSc, DVM, PhD Guelph - Associate Professor
Brian C. Buckrell DVM, MSc Guelph, Dip ACT - Associate Professor
Catherine E. Dewey DVM, MSc, PhD Guelph - Assistant Professor
Robert M. Friendship BSc, DVM, MSc Guelph - Associate Professor
Walter H. Johnson DVM, MVSC Saskatchewan, Dip ACT - Associate Professor
David Kelton DVM, MSc, PhD Guelph - Assistant Professor
Kenneth E. Leslie DVM, MSc Guelph - Professor
Kerry Lissemore BSc Toronto, DVM, DVSc Guelph - Assistant Professor
S. Wayne Martin DVM, MSc Guelph, MPVM, PhD California - Professor
John J. McDermott DVM Guelph, MPVM California, PhD Guelph - Associate Professor
Scott A. McEwen DVM, DVSc Guelph, Dip. ACVP - Associate Professor
Alan H. Meek DVM, MSc Guelph, PhD Melbourne - Professor
Paula I. Menzies DVM Guelph, MPVM California - Associate Professor
Peter W. Physick-Sheard BVSc Bristol, Dip Vet Surg, MSc Guelph, FRCVS (UK) - Associate Professor
Claire Plante DVM, MSc Montreal, PhD Florida - Assistant Professor
John Pollard BSc, MVSc Iowa, PhD Guelph - Assistant Professor
David Sandals DVM, MSc Guelph - Associate Professor
Mohamed M. Shoukri MSc Egypt, MSc, PhD Calgary - Professor
Margaret Thorburn DVM, MPVM, PhD California - Assistant Professor
David Waltner-Toews BA Goshen College (Indiana), DVM Saskatchewan, PhD Guelph - Professor
Jeffrey B. Wilson DVM, DVSc, PhD Guelph - Assistant Professor
Special Graduate Faculty
Cathy Gartley BSc New Brunswick, DVM, DVSc Guelph - University of Guelph
Associated Graduate Faculty
David M. Alves DVM, PhD Guelph - Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Robert Clarke DVM, PhD Guelph - Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt DVM, MSc Montreal, PhD Minnesota - North Carolina
Our research mission is to discover and disseminate knowledge regarding the management of health and productivity of animal populations, and the interrelationships of animals with humans and the environment. In support of this mission we rely principally on our expertise in field-based quantitative observational studies and clinical trials.
Our teaching/learning mission is to guide students as they obtain an essential knowledge base and develop the necessary communicative, quantitative and problem-solving skills to integrate and apply this knowledge; and to instill the appropriate attitudes and abilities required for life-long learning.
The department offers programs leading to MSc, PhD and DVSc degrees.
Admission Requirements
When reviewing transcripts, the department focuses on the applicant's performance in undergraduate- and graduate-level courses relevant to the applicant's proposed area of specialization. Students admitted must have an honours or DVM degree (or its equivalent). In addition, the department considers the applicant's special circumstances and the referees' comments. Since the core of the coursework MSc program builds on analytic skills, students entering the program should possess knowledge of basic statistical methods and their application.
Degree Requirements
The prescribed studies for the research-based MSc are a minimum of four courses (at least 2.0 course credits) appropriate to the discipline. Epidemiology I (8106200), Epidemiology II (8106210) and Statistics (8106290) are required courses; these can be waived by the departmental graduate studies committee under exceptional circumstances. A minimum of 'B-' average is required in the prescribed studies. The department seminar course, 8106100, is also required but does not count as one of the four courses. A thesis must be completed and successfully defended.
For the MSc by coursework and project, no fewer than eight courses (at least 4.0 course credits) will be taken. These must be approved by the departmental graduate studies committee and the dean of Graduate Studies. Each student in the program will take six prescribed courses (including the Project in Epidemiology course, 8106250, which is equivalent to two courses), and at least two additional courses. The department seminar course, 8106100, is also required but does not count as one of the eight courses. Normally, the prescribed courses will include:
Prescribed Courses:
- 8106200 Epidemiology I (F)
- 8106290 Statistics in the Health Sciences (W)
- 8106210 Epidemiology II (W)
- 8106250 Project in Epidemiology (F, W, S)
- 8906950 Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences (F)
- 8903240 Applied Regression Analysis (F) (or equivalent)
- 8903510 Environmental Risk Assessment (W)
- 8106300 Epidemiology of Zoonoses (W)
- 8106350 Safety of Foods of Animal Origin
- 8106700 Swine Health Management (W - alternate years)
- 8106400 Dairy Health Management (S - alternate years)
- 2606050 Research in Consumer Studies (F)
- 8906960 Design of Experiments and Data Analysis for the Life Sciences (W)
- 9506030 International Rural Development Planning Principles and Practices (F)
- 9506070 Project Development: Principles, Procedures and Selected Methods
At least three semesters of full-time study will be required for completion of the coursework MSc program; two of these semesters must be at the University of Guelph.
A PhD program is available in epidemiology. Admission into this program is usually granted to holders of an MSc degree who have demonstrated superior performance, or to MSc students who have not completed their thesis but have performed exceptionally well in courses, shown exceptional aptitude and skill in research, and whose thesis research is suitable for expansion to the doctoral level. For direct transfer, a thesis proposal and strongly supportive letters of reference are required. Infrequently, well qualified honours degree holders may be accepted directly into the PhD program.
All applicants should submit a one-page statement of research interests and career goals to assist in the identification of a faculty adviser who has the funding necessary to support the thesis research. Students may be admitted into the fall, winter or spring semesters.
Degree Requirements
The major emphasis in the PhD program is on the preparation of an acceptable thesis. There are no specific course requirements other than the Seminar, 8106100, which must be completed twice. However, it is usual for students, in consultation with their advisory committee, to select a suitable program of prescribed studies and additional courses. Course selection takes into account the student's background, research area, career aspirations, and need to prepare for the qualifying examination. Courses should normally be completed before the qualifying exam is attempted.
The qualifying examination consists of two written examinations, one in general epidemiology and the second in two minor areas, or one major area, related to the student's specialization or subdisciplinary interests. If the written component of the examination is successfully completed, it is normally followed by the oral (two to four hours) examination one week later. MSc holders must complete the qualifying examination by the end of the fifth semester. Students transferring from the MSc program and those who enter the program directly after their honours or DVM degrees (or their equivalents) must complete the examination by the end of the seventh semester. In addition, the advisory committee is required to confirm that the student has demonstrated ability and promise in research. The PhD program is completed by the successful defence of a thesis.
The Department of Population Medicine participates in the master of science in aquaculture program. Those faculty members whose research and teaching expertise includes aspects of aquaculture may serve as advisers for MSc (Aquaculture) students. Please consult the Aquaculture listing for a detailed description of the MSc (Aquaculture) interdepartmental program.
Food Safety and Quality Assurance MSc Collaborative Program
The Department of Population Medicine participates in the MSc program in food safety and quality assurance. Those faculty members whose research and teaching expertise includes aspects of food safety and quality assurance may serve as advisers for MSc students. Please consult the Food Safety and Quality Assurance listing for a detailed description of the MSc collaborative program.
- 8106200 Epidemiology I (0.5) F
- This course covers concepts, principles and methods of basic and applied epidemiology, including the following topics: sampling, measuring disease frequency, clinical epidemiology, causal reasoning and design, interpretation and critical appraisal of surveys, observational studies and field trials.
- 8106210 Epidemiology II (0.5) W
- Advanced study design and analytic methods for the analysis of data from observational studies and surveys.
- 8106220 Analytical Epidemiology (0.5) F*
- This course focuses on the advanced analysis of epidemiologic studies. Case control, cohort and survival studies are analysed within the generalized linear-model framework. Links between study objectives, study design and data analysis will be emphasized throughout. Special problems, such as the analysis of correlated data arising from cluster sampling of individuals, are discussed.
- 8106250 Project in Epidemiology (1.0) S
- Collection and analysis of field data and the preparation of a written report suitable for publication, and oral presentation of the findings to the graduate faculty. This course is part of the MSc program by coursework in epidemiology.
- 8106290 Statistics in the Health Sciences (0.5) W
- The analysis of data in which the dependent variable (outcome) cannot be assumed to be normally distributed. Unifactor and multifactor qualitative data analysis, logistic regression, survival analysis and ranking procedures are among topics covered. Application rather than theory are emphasized.
- 8106300 Epidemiology of Zoonoses (0.5) W
- Characterization and distribution of diseases common to man and animals.
Swine Health Management
- 8106700 Swine Health Management (0.5)*
- Diseases of swine are studied with particular emphasis on preventive medicine and herd-health management.
Theriogenology
- 8106610 Theriogenology of Cattle (0.5)*
- A lecture and seminar course emphasizing the relationship between the nutritional, genetic, endocrine, anatomic, and environmental factors, and the reproductive health status of cattle.
- 8106630 Theriogenology of Horses (0.5)*
- The subject matter of 8106610 applied to horses. Specific emphasis on early season cycling and breeding problems.
- 8106650 Theriogenology of Dogs and Cats (0.5)*
- The subject matter of 8106610 applied to dogs and cats. Emphasis will be on fertility problems, but an in-depth discussion of fertility control as part of a population-limiting program is given. In addition to individual animal-reproductive problems, a discussion of kennel reproductive programs and results is presented.
- 8106670 Theriogenology of Small Ruminants (0.5)*
- The subject matter of 8106610 applied to small ruminants. Emphasis is placed on estrous synchronization, artificial breeding, embryo technology, and problems and advantages associated with multiple lambs.
Veterinary Medicine
- 8106400 Dairy Health Management (0.5) S*
- This course stresses a population-based, herd-level approach to dairy herd health management, in which optimizing the efficiency of the dairy enterprise is the overall goal. The biological and economic impacts of disease and management deficiencies on herd performance will be discussed as they relate to design and implementation of herd health programs. The course will emphasize the critical role of record keeping, data analysis and monitoring on program success.
Veterinary Public Health/Food Safety
- 8106350 Safety of Foods of Animal Origin (0.5) F
- The detection, epidemiology, human health risk, and control of hazards in food of animal origin.
Other
- 8106100 Seminar (0.0) F
- A practical course that utilizes tutorials and workshops to help participants develop effective presentation skills. Each student presents at least one seminar on an approved subject during the departmental seminar series.
- 8106950 Directed Studies in Population Medicine (0.5)
- Assigned reading and/or special projects selected to provide in-depth study of topics appropriate to the specialized interests of individual students.
- *Given in alternate years.
