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UF Health University of Florida
Veterinary Research and Graduate Studies College of Veterinary Medicine
Currently Enrolling Clinical Studies
Students Overview

PhD Program in Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBS)

Program Details

CIP 26-0102

CBS is a STEM degree

Unlike our VMS programs, the CBS is a STEM degree that better prepares students to leverage big data in the pursuit of big discoveries.

CBS is an In-Residence Program

Like the VMS program, all CBS students will be considered in-residence (on campus) students

CBS is a 4-year program

All students will be expected to complete the CBS degree within four years with a minimum of 90 credits

CBS has Tracks!

Students enrolled in the CBS PhD program can explore the Comparative Medicine, Environmental Health, and Population Health tracks.

The PhD program in Comparative Biomedical Sciences will welcome its first students in Fall 2025. This new program offers a distinctive academic experience grounded in the One Health paradigm—the scientific convergence of animal, human, and environmental health. What sets it apart is a transdisciplinary framework that integrates biomedical, environmental, and veterinary sciences to address today’s most complex health challenges.

Program Highlights

Anchored in comparative biomedical sciences, the program provides a unique lens to study host-pathogen interactions, translational animal models, disease transmission models, diagnostics research, and disease risk management approaches in animal and human populations, and the environment. Students work across scientific disciplines and leverage big data, AI, and advanced analytics to drive discovery and innovation. This program is more than a degree—it’s a launchpad for scientific innovation, equipping graduates to be future thought leaders instilled with 21st century core competencies to tackle real-world health problems. Please peruse the CBS PhD program handbook for comprehensive information, including the new flight plan (Form1) on the last page.

Curriculum

Core courses (14 credits)
VME 5XXX Comparative Biomedical Sciences & One Health (3 credits)

VME 6767 Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit)

PHC 6050 Statistical Methods for Health Sciences Research I (3 credits)

GMS 6096 Introduction to NIH Grant Writing (1 credit)

VME 6937L Graduate Seminar Series (4 credits) + Other Seminars (2 credits)

Elective courses
VME 5XXX Comparative Biomedical Sciences Lab Methods (2 credits)
VME 5141 Introduction to Comparative Immunology (3 credits) VME 6072 Comparative Epidemiology & One Health Study Designs (3 credits)
Other courses

Contact Us!

Audrey M Natwick
Department: VM-RESEARCH – GRADUATE

Audrey M Natwick

Academic Program Specialist III
Phone: (352) 294-4241
Jimmy M Pastrano
Department: VM-RESEARCH – GRADUATE

Jimmy M Pastrano

Academic Program Spec I
Phone: (352) 294-4760
Janet Robishaw
Department: Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine

Janet Robishaw

Associate Dean of Research & Professor
Phone: (352) 273-8859
Jorge A Hernandez
Department: Large Animal Clinical Sciences

Jorge A Hernandez DVM, MPVM, PhD

Director of Graduate Education & Professor
Phone: (352) 294-4305

IFAS

As part of both the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Academic Health Center, Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to advancing animal, human and environmental health through teaching, research, extension and patient care.

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Scholars Program

The Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program offers DVM students an opportunity to gain exposure in biomedical research.

About the Scholars Program
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Our Hospitals

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