Course Description
This is the first of three courses in a series to research and present a unique Capstone Project relevant to Shelter Medicine. The Capstone Project serves as the student’s exit exam to qualify to graduate with the MS Concentration in Shelter Medicine. During this course, students review previously recorded Capstone Project Presentations, develop an independent Capstone proposal, and complete the research and data collection necessary to progress to the next course in this series, VME6951.
Course Content
Students review prior recorded Capstone Projects and Grand Rounds recordings before proposing a Capstone Project to their assigned mentor that will demonstrate application of the knowledge and skills they achieve while earning the MS Concentration in Shelter Medicine. Once the project is approved, students work with the UF Health Science Center Library to conduct a literature search for pertinent scientific studies related to their topic and use a citation manager to create a bibliography and summary of the literature they reviewed. If a Capstone Project requires IRB and/or IACUC approval, then students will seek that approval prior to beginning work on their project. Students also construct an e-portfolio that displays their approved project proposal, their literature review, and will be updated throughout future semesters to demonstrate academic achievement worthy of earning the degree.
Students then create a work plan that details the weekly progress they intend to make during the remainder of the semester, with the goal of completing a significant amount of the project work before the end of the semester. The plan should include details about work needed to be completed in future semesters. While they complete their individual work plans, students keep their faculty mentors apprised of their progress via regular check-ins.
Enrollment Information
- Course Number: VME 6910 all sections
- Semester Credit Hours: 3
- Grading: S/U
- Term: Fall/Spring/Summer
- Course Pre-Requisites: Successful completion of two or more semesters in the program.