Students majoring in Pathobiology focus on human health, animal health, diseases and their relationship to people and the environment. Students can prepare to enter medical schools (Pre-med) or veterinary medical schools (Pre-vet). Pathobiology majors also pursue careers in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, para-veterinary medicine, and many diverse laboratory and research positions in health fields, and agriculture and natural resources.
Current Students
Curriculum is designed for students preparing to become experts in medical biotechnology, epidemiology, global and public health, or to enter medical, veterinary, dental, or graduate schools. Concentrations are focused on infectious diseases, chronic diseases, pathology, vaccines for humans and animals, epidemiology, pre-med, and pre-vet. Areas of study include emerging infectious diseases, biotechnology, vaccine development, surveillance, climate change, bats, zoonosis, and vector-borne diseases, among others.
Advising
As a student in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources you will have a faculty advisor starting your first semester. During Orientation, we talk to students about their educational and career goals. Based on this information, we can assign a faculty advisor in your major who best matches your individual interests and goals. Students work closely with their faculty advisors regarding course selection, graduation requirements, and career goals.
Courses
Our courses are open to students from any major. Pathobiology majors must follow the course guidelines of the department.
Future Undergraduates
Join us for life transformative experiences that will lead to your future career. PATHOBIOLOGY majors have several focus areas available: Pre-Professional Health Sciences (Pre-MED, Pre-DENTAL, Pre-PA, Pre-VET), Public Health, and Medical Biotechnology.
Future Graduate Students
Graduate students in the Department of Pathobiology have numerous opportunities. Research and service tracks are available.
The Department of Pathobiology offers two graduate degrees: Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pathobiology, with areas of concentrations in Bacteriology, Virology, and Pathology, as well as an M.S. degree in Pathobiology with an area of concentration in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology. Faculty research focuses on infectious diseases of animals and humans, vaccines, veterinary pathology, and wildlife diseases. Many faculty are members of the Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research (CEVR), which provides a unifying consortium for vaccine research at the University of Connecticut. The department also provides service to the University and citizens of the State of Connecticut through integration with the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. The Veterinary Anatomic Pathology M.S. program is open only to students with the D.V.M/V.M.D. degree.