Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Conservation medicine uses a One Health approach to address urgent issues facing our planet, including emerging and resurging diseases, habitat use conflicts, environmental contamination, ecosystem and climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem function degradation. These problems transcend the usual boundaries of conservation biology, veterinary medicine, public health, and environmental health. Interdisciplinary in nature, the Master of Science in Conservation Medicine focuses on health relationships occurring at the interfaces among humans, animals, and the environment. This program equips students from diverse backgrounds with the expertise and collaborative skills to work with other professionals, scientists, policy-makers, and local communities to develop and implement solutions for these global issues and other important health-related challenges. The Master of Science in Conservation Medicine is designed to:
- impart foundational knowledge in conservation medicine issues and applications
- build upon an individual student's disciplinary strengths
- provide experiences in real-world conservation settings
- foster interdisciplinary collaborations and supply students with invaluable contacts from a network of experts
- create opportunities to master and practice skills necessary to be successful leaders in the conservation health arena
I received my masters of science in Conservation Medicine at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts. While this degree is non-thesis you still have a case study or research paper to present which can be upwards of 40 pages, but you also have the option to do your own original research and submit this for publication. There are... I received my masters of science in Conservation Medicine at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts. While this degree is non-thesis you still have a case study or research paper to present which can be upwards of 40 pages, but you also have the option to do your own original research and submit this for publication. There are a variety of opportunities to collaborate on research projects if you are looking to be published, you can also audit and take classes that the veterinary students are taking if you are interested. There are also a lot of laboratories that are happy to have students that are eager to learn.
The faculty is very receptive and they give you their full attention while you are a student. You are also required to do an externship and work in the field for 4-6 weeks. This is usually something that is your choice and helps you hone in on your personal interests. Some students use this opportunity to go abroad and work with a particular species or a particular topic that highlights their passion.
Overall the Conservation Medicine Program is One Health focused. This program is about a year or so long and is very immersive but there are opportunities for hands-on training both in the laboratory and in the field that are integrated into your curriculum. The schedule does allow you to work part time while you are matriculated but I would suggest waiting, if possible, until the second half of the program before exercising that option.
I was a non-traditional student and the cohort is comprised of roughly 18 students that vary in ages and disciplines. In the past, the range of students have been anything from veterinarians from other countries to students right out of completing their undergraduate degree. The curriculum has a great GIS course and you grow to become very comfortable with making maps very early on even if you have little to no experience.
I enjoyed the experience and was able to find work before officially graduating. Much like any program, this program is what you make of it and how driven you are to seek out opportunities and build your skills. Overall, the Conservation Medicine program has given me the tools to be more competitive in the field of conservation Medicine.
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