Pet Fish Medicine

Pet Fish Medicine

CVM 5311 - Pet Fish Medicine - is a new online, asynchronous course available to both MSU CVM students and vet students outside the CVM.

Pet Fish - CVM 5311

This course is 100% online and asynchronous, meaning students work through the course at their own pace during the semester. It provides instruction on the fundamentals of pet fish medicine, including anatomy, physiology, water quality, life support systems, biosecurity, physical exam, diagnostics, common diseases and disorders, therapeutics, sedation and anesthesia, surgical approaches, and more. It was developed by Dr. Jessie Sanders and the course leader, Dr. Stephen Reichley.

Course Syllabus

Pet Fish Medicine

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of the course include:

  • Explain standard husbandry practices for pet fish.
  • Describe the basic anatomy and physiology of commonly kept pet fish.
  • Identify clinical signs of disease in pet fish.
  • Formulate a diagnostic approach incorporating advanced diagnostic tools.
  • Explain the use of common therapeutics in pet fish medicine, including veterinary feed directives.
  • Describe surgical concepts and techniques used for commonly kept pet fish.

Prerequisites

Students must be currently enrolled in a professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), or equivalent, curriculum. Or with permission from the course leader. If you are not a current veterinary student and wish to enroll, please contact Dr. Stephen Reichley.

Registration Information

Mississippi State University Veterinary Students

Phase 2 veterinary students enroll in this elective course using the same process used to enroll in all other elective courses. The Course Number is CVM 5311.

Non-MSU Veterinary Students

To register for this course, veterinary students from other institutions must first apply to Mississippi State University as a transient student. After completing the course, an official MSU transcript will be issued showing your final grade.

To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled in a DVM (or equivalent) degree program.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Dr. Mark Jimerson in the Center for Distance Education:

Email: Mark.Jimerson@msstate.edu
Phone: 662‑325‑2655

How to Apply

  1. Submit the Graduate Unclassified Campus/Online Admission Application at: www.grad.msstate.edu/apply
  2. Provide transcripts from:
    1. All previously attended four-year institutions (Technical and community college transcripts are not required)
    2. Your current veterinary program
  3. Statement of Purpose
    1. A brief statement indicating you plan to take the Pet Fish Medicine course and how it supports your academic or professional goals.
  4. Application Fee
    1. Domestic Applicants: $60
    2. International Applicants: $80

After You Apply

Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an admissions decision in your application portal. If admitted, you will then complete the Unclassified Graduate Registration Form, linked directly within your decision letter. Please email the completed form to Dr. Mark Jimerson in the Center for Distance Education, mark.jimerson@msstate.edu.

Course Registration

After you have been accepted to MSU as a transient student, using the process above, you will be contacted via your MSU email account with instructions on how to register for the Pet Fish Medicine course. All course communications will use your MSU email address, so please be sure to check it regularly. 

Application Deadlines

Summer Semester 2026: June 1, 2026

Fall Semester 2026: August 14, 2026

Registration Cost

Tuition and fee information is available at:
https://www.controller.msstate.edu/accountservices/tuition/online-education-rates