You can get a covered litter box, that's what we have and the dogs are very good at not getting into that, and like I said you can put the cat food up on the sink or a stool, but our cats don't bother the dog food at all. The dogs however would scoff up the cat food, that's why I had to put it up. By the way I use the "Feline Pine" type cat litter and LOVE it! It's little pellets of pine, smells nice and I change it every two-three days. You only use an inch of it! Cats are very smart, litter box traiing should go very easy!
Good luck with your anatomy! It's all memorization! Thank God I was only 19 when I had it and it was still a killer, that and chemistry! Anytime you need encouragement feel free to PM me!