The department has established bacteriological, mycological, virological and biotechnological laboratories with installation of modern equipments for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Since 1992, the department achieved the status of a postgraduate (M.V.Sc.) department and from 2005, Ph.D. was started. Whereas, UG teaching is carried out strictly as per VCI curriculum, PG teaching and research is designed according to the priority research areas of the state. Till this year, 27 students have completed their M.V.Sc. in Veterinary Microbiology and 04 are pursuing the programme. One scholar has been enrolled for Ph.D.
The animal disease investigation laboratory of the department attends to animal disease outbreaks of various infectious diseases/ conditions in field, establishes the etiology of the disease, determines the kind of effective drug(s) against infectious agents and suggests the treatment/control measures to contain the disease(s).
In research, the department has completed many research projects from reputed funding agencies like United State of Department of Agriculture, ICAR, DBT, DST, NATP, and Dabur Ayurvet Pvt. Limited. Four research projects viz. two from NAIP, one from Govt. of H.P. and one from ICAR are currently in progress. These projects focus on molecular aspects of infectious agents, sero-surveillance of infectious diseases, and assessing immune response to vaccine candidates. The department is also involved in pioneer work on Chlamydia in India and fish diseases.
Apart from department’s involvement in teaching and research, the department renders consultancy services to the farmers of the state by suggesting them prevention and control measures against infectious disease(s) for economical dairy, sheep/goat, fish, poultry and rabbit farming. The department also provides health coverage to various animal species of university livestock farms. This department has contributed significantly by attending to stubborn ailing cases and infectious disease outbreaks among animals of the state by provide spot and laboratory diagnosis. The faculty of this department routinely delivers scientific lectures to the vets, para-vets, ex-service men, progressive farmers and unemployed youth, on different aspects of infectious diseases from time to time and involves in different trainings /workshops organized by CSK H.P.K.V. Directorate of Extension Education / COVAS and other agencies. Active consultancy to farmers of the State is also being provided through TV/ radio talks.