Veterinary Science courses have been taught at Michigan State University since 1855. In 1910, when Veterinary Medicine was formally established as a four year degree granting program, surgery was one of the areas in which students could enroll. Over the years, surgery became an individual unit within Veterinary Medicine and went through several name changes, including Veterinary Surgery and Medicine. In November 1968, the unit was divided into Large Animal Surgery and Medicine and Small Animal Surgery and Medicine. Then in 1983, the name was again changed to the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. This department offers courses designed to meet the needs of the professional program in veterinary medicine, the post-D.V.M. clinical training programs that provide the basis for specialty board certification, and the graduate program leading to the Master of Science degree. At the graduate level, the program is designed primarily for graduate veterinarians in the residency training program in the department. Emphasis is placed on clinically oriented research which is well supported by the facilities available and the clinical case volume. Graduates of this program find opportunities in all areas of practice, teaching and research. Post-D.V.M. Clinical Training Programs are supported by the clinical service activities of a highly specialized faculty utilizing the facilities and support staff of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The department offers 13-month rotating internships designed to provide general clinical training for the post-D.V.M. student as well as to provide a basis for further specialty training. Residencies designed to meet the training requirements for specialty board certification are currently offered in dermatology, internal medicine, and surgery. The dermatology residency is two years in length and the others are three years long with yearly evaluation of progress and continuance based on trainee performance. Concurrent work toward the Master of Science degree is encouraged.