Located within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences is the academic unit responsible for providing the fundamental scientific foundation in veterinary medicine education. The main objective of the department is to ensure that students acquire a comprehensive, holistic, and scientifically based knowledge base about the etiopathogenesis, development mechanisms, transmission routes, diagnostic approaches, and treatment principles of diseases before moving on to clinical practices. Through laboratory-supported theoretical and practical training, students' analytical thinking, diagnostic, and scientific inquiry skills are developed. In this regard, the department operates with a student-centered and practice-oriented education and training approach that adopts contemporary educational approaches.

The educational program is structured to support theoretical knowledge with laboratory applications and case-based learning methods. The goal is to train students not only to access information but also to analyze, interpret, and use that information in professional decision-making processes. In this context, the development of analytical thinking, problem-solving, critical evaluation, and scientific inquiry skills is among the primary achievements. Thanks to laboratory-supported training applications, students have the opportunity to learn and apply basic diagnostic techniques at an early stage.

The Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences includes the sub-departments of Pathology, Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology, and Pharmacology and Toxicology, which form the pre-clinical scientific foundation of veterinary medicine. The Department of Veterinary Pathology examines the mechanisms of disease development and their effects at the tissue level. Students learn macroscopic and microscopic identification of diseases, cellular responses, tissue regeneration, and tumor formation processes. In the pathology laboratory, prepared tissue sections are examined under a microscope; furthermore, postmortem examination training is provided with real case materials in the necropsy unit. The Microbiology and Virology departments address the identification and isolation of infectious agents, molecular and immunological diagnostic methods, and the public health aspects of zoonotic diseases. The Department of Veterinary Microbiology focuses on topics such as the identification and isolation of bacterial agents and the determination of antibiotic susceptibility. Gram staining, culture techniques, biochemical tests, and serological methods are actively used in education. At the same time, microbiological information is emphasized with regard to zoonotic diseases and public health. The Department of Veterinary Virology teaches the structure, replication strategies, and infection mechanisms of pathogens causing viral diseases in animals. Molecular, serological, and virological diagnostic methods are taught to students through practical applications. Current topics such as viral zoonoses and antiviral drug strategies are also included in the course content. The Department of Veterinary Parasitology teaches the morphological characteristics, life cycles, and host effects, epidemiology, and prevention and control strategies of protozoa, helminths, and arthropods. Identification of parasites from fecal, tissue, and blood samples is provided through microscopic examination. The Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology teaches the effects of drugs on organisms, their pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties, drug interactions, and side effects. Practical information on safe drug use in animals, regulations regarding drug residues, mechanisms of action of toxic substances, and antidote use is imparted to students. This interdisciplinary structure contributes to students' ability to evaluate disease processes from multiple perspectives. Through this comprehensive education, the Pre-Clinical Sciences Department provides students with a scientifically grounded preparation for veterinary medicine, enabling them to transition to clinical practice with a solid and interdisciplinary perspective.

The department's academic vision is to create a nationally and internationally recognized, scientifically productive, innovative, and sustainable educational and research environment. In this context, faculty members closely follow current scientific developments and prioritize the integration of research outputs into the educational process. Academic collaborations established at national and international levels are among the key elements strengthening the department's educational and research capacity. The active participation of young researchers in scientific production processes is supported through postgraduate theses and projects. The department's integration into international academic networks is supported through student and faculty exchange programs, joint research projects, and participation in scientific conferences.

The Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences considers it among its duties to conduct informative activities on issues related to animal health, welfare, and public health within the framework of its understanding of social responsibility. It aims to strengthen university-community interaction through training programs for breeders, in-service training programs, and joint activities with public institutions. These efforts also serve to make visible the contribution of veterinary medicine to public health. With its dynamic structure that adapts to changing scientific and societal needs, the department continues its work towards producing sustainable solutions in the fields of animal health and public health.

Yours sincerely,

Head of Department