The Doctor of Philosophy program in Comparative Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences (CBVS) in the Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine is designed to train students in coursework and research areas applicable to One Health, which will provide them with expertise in a broad area of disciplines. The program takes advantage of the wide variety of courses already established in the School of Natural and Life Sciences (Department of Biology) and College of Health Professions and Nursing (Department of Biomedical Science) at Long Island University, and basic science courses offered in the first two years of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine professional program, including bacteriology, virology, parasitology, epidemiology, immunology, toxicology, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Courses specific to CBVS include a weekly seminar on research carried out in the Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine or at other institutions by faculty or graduate students.
The CBVS research program has two major focus areas for the Ph.D. degree: Infectious Diseases and Comparative Medicine and Therapeutics. Infectious Diseases include training in the specific disciplines of bacteriology, virology, parasitology, immunology, and vaccine development. The focus area Comparative Medicine and Therapeutics includes research in Cancer Biology, Chemo- and Precision-Therapeutics, Molecular Immuno-Physiology, Pathology, Molecular Pathophysiology, and Regenerative Medicine.
The Ph.D. program in CBVS is designed to prepare graduates for careers in academia or industry, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, or in various government agencies, such as USDA, NIH, CDC, and others.
Employment skills gained include:
Contact Information
Additional information regarding the graduate program in Comparative Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences can be obtained by contacting gradprograms.vetmed@liu.edu.
Degree Requirements
The Ph.D. in CBVS is a research/dissertation-based program. A Baccalaureate or equivalent degree is required for admission, with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. International students are also required to achieve a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 85, internet-based (a minimum listening score of 20 is also required); 225, Computer-based; or 563, paper-based. IELTS of 6.0 or above is also acceptable. Students in good standing in the M.S. degree program and have a ≥ 3.0 GPA and adequate research completed, may petition their mentor and thesis committee for transfer to the Ph.D. program. If approved, the committee will forward their recommendation to the University Admissions Office.
The program is designed to be completed in four to five years with 72 credit hours, minimum. Required courses for all students include graduate level biochemistry, immunology, biostatistics, and graduate seminar (CBVS 505), accounting for 16 core credit hours. Up to 12 credit hours can be devoted to elective courses recommended by the student’s committee, and the remaining credit hours are in experimental research (CBVS 708).
Graduate Program Schedule
Term Fall 1 |
Term Spring 1 |
||
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar |
1 |
CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar |
1 |
Biochemistry |
3 |
Immunology |
3 |
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
2 |
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
3 |
Term credit total |
6 |
Term credit total |
6 |
Term Summer 1 |
Term Fall 2 |
||
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
6 |
CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar |
1 |
Biostatistics |
3 |
||
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
2 |
||
Term credit total |
6 |
Term credit total |
6 |
Term Spring 2 |
Term Summer 2 |
||
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar |
1 |
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
6 |
One research-related course as determined by Committee |
3 |
||
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
2 |
||
Term credit total |
6 |
Term Credit total |
6 |
Term Fall 3 |
Term Spring 3 |
||
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar |
1 |
CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar |
1 |
One research-related course as determined by Committee |
3 |
One research-related course as determined by Committee |
3 |
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
2 |
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
2 |
Term credit total |
6 |
Term credit total |
6 |
Term Summer 3 |
Term Fall 4 |
||
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
6 |
CBVS 505 Graduate Seminar |
1 |
One research-related course as determined by Committee |
3 |
||
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
2 |
||
Term credit total |
6 |
Term credit total |
6 |
Term Spring 4 |
Term Summer 4 |
||
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
Course Number & Title |
Credits |
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
6 |
CBVS 708 Experimental Research |
6 |
Term credit total |
6 |
Term credit total |
6 |
Applications for graduate admission can be accessed via the Long Island University Application Portal.
Official college transcript(s), personal statement, resume/CV, statement of research interests, and two letters of recommendation are required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, though it is recommended to apply by November 1st for the spring semester, and May 1st for the fall semester. There is also the option of beginning in the summer term.
Ph.D. Tuition, per credit |
$1,710 |
Part-Time University Fee, per term |
$509 |
Full-Time University Fee, per term |
$1,017 |
Student Health Insurance (Rate Finalized July 1)* |
$2,465 |
*Health Insurance Rates are finalized with New York State by July 1 each year. All international students, clinical students, residential students, and intercollegiate athletes are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan but may wave participation online with comparable coverage under a family plan or other policy.
At this time, the College of Veterinary Medicine does not guarantee tuition waivers or stipends. Funding from a faculty mentor may be available, but is not guaranteed. Prior to applying, please determine your area of research interest and contact potential faculty mentors to see if they are willing and able to support a graduate student in their research laboratory.