Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences

The Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences (VMS) maintains a focus on the pathogenesis of infectious disease, with programs in bacteriology, immunology, virology, epidemiology and food microbiology. The faculty collaborates with multidisciplinary programs in Biosurveillance and Food Safety, and with the North Dakota State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at NDSU. The department maintains memberships in the American Society for Microbiology and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

VMS provides quality undergraduate and graduate instruction, guidance and advising for microbiology, pre-veterinary medicine, food safety and molecular pathogenesis students. Microbiology serves as an excellent major for all pre-professional programs. Additionally, the department provides instruction to other diverse majors such as pharmacy, animal science, medical technology, veterinary technology, biotechnology and cellular and molecular biology. The microbiology curriculum in Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences develops a basic knowledge in the fundamentals of microbiology, works to stimulate critical thinking, develops problem-solving skills, works to improve writing skills and provides excellent laboratory training and technical skills. The program provides rigorous academic training in a collegial environment that stimulates an interest in lifelong learning among faculty, staff and students.

VMS has developed an increasingly successful, competitive research program in the molecular pathogenesis of infectious diseases of animals, relative to animal health, public health and food safety. Specific research areas include the study of unique microbial factors that result in virulence, methods to utilize these virulence factors for diagnosis and identification, and methods to utilize these unique virulence factors for immunization and disease prevention. Food safety risk assessment and understanding microorganisms and the disease process enhances North Dakota's efforts in protecting against intentional and unintentional disease outbreaks.