Microscope Rental or Purchase
You WILL need a microscope for your first two years. You WILL NOT need a microscope during your third
and fourth year. Therefore, we suggest you rent a microscope rather than purchase one.
If you wish to rent a microscope from I. Miller Precision Optical Instruments, Inc., please complete the
Microscope Rental Form and return it to I. Miller directly. The link to the Form will be emailed to you by
the Office of Student Affairs.
You will need a microscope on the first day of Class. You may:
1. Rent/Purchase a new microscope which meets our requirements;
2. If you have a microscope which is used and meets our requirements, you must bring it with you
to student orientation for approval by the microscope committee;
3. If you do not have a microscope, you may rent a microscope from I. Miller (cost $399.00 for a
two-year rental which includes a $75.00 refundable deposit).
The cost of new microscope ranges from $800.00 - $1,000.
General Information Concerning a Required Microscope
One of the requirements of the Veterinary School is that each student provide himself or herself with a
microscope of good quality, suitable for use in histology, microbiology, pathology, parasitology, etc. The
microscope will be needed during the first two academic years.
Two methods of procurement are commonly used by the student body: purchase or rental. The School
has selected a vendor to help you rent a microscope.
In considering the purchase of the microscope, you should carefully avoid several categories. Very old
microscopes are usually unsatisfactory because of wear and insufficient accessories. Very inexpensive
microscopes are almost always of insufficient quality. Research microscopes are so complex as to be
undesirable for routine practice. "Laboratory" microscopes or the "student" scopes of the larger
manufacturers are generally of good quality and are usually acceptable. It may seem obvious, but you
"get what you pay for." An inexpensive microscope is likely to cause you problems.
All microscopes for student use must be approved by the microscope committee.
