University of Cambridge    Department of Veterinary Medicine    Summer School     Programme

Programme

The Summer School provides a unique experience for veterinary undergraduates to explore scientific research. This is achieved by participation in a laboratory-based project supplemented with vocational support for a science career provided by seminars and workshops.

Research project

Participants pursue their own individual 8-week in-depth laboratory-based research project at one of Cambridge University's internationally recognised laboratories.

Project topics range from basic to clinical science.

The project serves to provide insight into planning and performing experiments, how to effectively interpret data and draw conclusions to allow planning of future work.

Participants present a short report on their work, both in a seminar and a written report at the end of the Summer School.

Seminars and workshops

Formal seminars by faculty members highlight topical and emerging areas of research.

Student-led workshops provide a forum to discuss veterinary medicine and science, and to practice presentation and debating skills.

Information about post-graduate education and research-based career opportunities are provided by seminars and informal discussions with faculty members throughout the programme.

Research institute visit

A visit to a leading UK research institute is combined with a discussion of its work.

In 2011 we visited the GlaxoSmithKline R&D site at Ware to hear an overview of the R&D process and the role of the veterinary pathologist in drug development.

Social events

A number of social events are organised by the Summer School including a punt trip, barbeque and formal College dinner.

Informal social events are also arranged ad hoc. A great deal of the success of the Summer School derives from the interaction of students with a variety of nationalities and educational backgrounds.