Veterinary Degrees Online

On the BSc in Zoology (C300), animals are studied at all levels of complexity, from molecules and cells to species and populations. This includes anatomical, physiological, developmental, evolutionary, ecological and behavioural aspects. You also study the application of modern molecular biology techniques, bioinformatics and computer simulation models. Some specialisation is usual, especially in applied aspects like parasitology, immunology, entomology, population biology or ecology.

Our modular approach to the curriculum gives you flexible options and the possibility of transfering from one biology degree course to another (subject to certain restrictions). Those who entered under a code other than C110 and who wish to transfer to the Biology with a Year in Industry/Research course must apply to do so in their first year. This ensures that your training placement can be arranged well in advance.

The first year course covers the basic core areas of biology. In the first term, there are also classes on information retrieval and literature referencing, and tuition in mathematics and chemistry is available.

In the second and third years, we organise courses for those who wish to study for the flexible, broadly based suite of degrees in biology and specialisms in ecology and environmental biology, microbiology, plant biology and zoology. To encourage a wider outlook, all second year students choose one of the courses offered by the Department of Humanities, which includes a wide range of language options; or you can choose a management course in Imperial College Business School.

The last term of the final year is devoted to a full-time individual research project. Your project is often the most exciting and rewarding part of your degree. You are allowed considerable freedom in choosing a project and may suggest your own line of research. An academic staff member will supervise your work.

The University of St. Francis offers excellent undergraduate preparation for veterinary school. USF does not offer a specific “pre-vet” major. Few colleges in the United States do because there is not a specific major required for admission to colleges of veterinary medicine. USF does offer a biology degree with a pre-veterinary track for students interested in pursuing careers in veterinary medicine. Therefore, USF students complete a core of courses which prepare them for entrance into veterinary college and still enjoy the freedom and flexibility to design a curriculum in advanced science course which are appropriate to their interests.

Colleges of veterinary medicine are looking for students who have completed a core of specific course work in biology, chemistry, math and physics and who have performed at a high academic level. Veterinary colleges may also require volunteer work or other specific types of clinical experience outside the classroom. In addition, coursework required in the humanities and social sciences may vary by school.

The USC Upstate pre-veterinary medicine program is an advisement track within the biology degree program. Students already having a degree and aiming for veterinary school should take courses that are required or recommended and that will best prepare them for taking the VCAT. Veterinary school admission is on a competitive basis. Important factors considered by Admission Committees are grade point averages (GPA), VCAT scores and letters of recommendation.

VCAT (Veterinary College Admission Test) exam:
Pre-vet students must start their math and chemistry sequences as soon as possible in order to take the VCAT exam at the appropriate time. Students must have Organic Chemistry and physics completed by the end of the junior year, as the VCAT exam should be taken the spring semester of the junior year or the fall semester of the senior year. Developmental math students may need an additional year of preparation. The minimum core of courses that are needed before the VCAT is taken is:
English 101+102
Mathematics 126+127 (Precalculus; with Mathematics 143 (calculus) recommended)
Biology 101+102
Chemistry 111+112
Chemistry 331+332 (Organic Chemistry)
Physics 201+202 OR Physics 211+212

Veterinary Programs:
As South Carolina has no in-state veterinary program, “South Carolina quotas” are available at the University of Georgia and Tuskegee University. The largest quota for South Carolina residents is at the University of Georgia. In addition to the VCAT, applicants to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine program must also take the GRE, including the Advanced Biology section.

Pre-vet students should complete their applications no later than October of the year before they expect to enter veterinary school.

In addition to the VCAT minimum core listed above, other courses that are required (or recommended) are: Anatomy (SBIO 232) or Comparative Anatomy (SBIO 315, preferred), Microbiology (SBIO 330), Physiology (SBIO 242, recommended), Genetics (SBIO 350, recommended), Biochemistry (SBIO 541+543L), Animal Nutrition, and Statistics (SMTH 201 or SPSY 225 or SSOC 220).

S.C. residents interested in the University of Georgia Veterinary School need to contact the S.C. Pre-veterinary Advisory Committee, which coordinates S.C. applicants. The address is:

Pre-Veterinary Advisor
Department of Animal Science
College of Agricultural Sciences
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29631

S.C. applicants interested in Tuskegee University can apply directly to that school. Other universities with veterinary programs (e.g., North Carolina State University) may accept South Carolina residents but do not reserve any places for South Carolina residents.

There are several scholarship opportunities for prospective students interested in majoring in the sciences (biochemistry, biology, biopsychology, chemistry or natural science) or interested in pre-health careers (pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-chiropractic pre-optometry, pre-vet).

Health Science Scholarship (Twenty eight students (men and women) will compete for over $117,000 in scholarships to Viterbo. The minimum scholarship for those invited will be $2000, the maximum is a full-four year tuition scholarship)

Exploring Science Through Forensics (on campus event for up to 100 high school juniors and seniors on January 6 – with up to 15-$500 scholarships available)

Viterbo Merit Scholarships (up to $8500 per year based on ACT and HS GPA) – see calculator to estimate merit scholarship

Careers in health care event: What does the future hold for you? – On Saturday, Oct. 11, sophomores, juniors, and seniors will hear from various health care professionals and educators to learn about career options, health care trends, and how you can prepare now for your career. Connie Delaney, Dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis and Chad Hrdina, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary and Advisor in the United States Department of Health and Human Services will speak on the future of health care professions. Students will choose to attend optional sessions based upon their individual interests.

Degree in Three – Ten high achieving students can earn their biology degree in three years. These students save a year’s tuition and are elgible to apply to graduate schools a year sooner. Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and 25 ACT to apply. Priority Deadline to apply is November 15. Secondary deadline is Feb. 28. Space is limited.

Veterinary Molecular Biology (VMB) uniquely combines expertise in the study of pathogen biology, host defense, cell biology and use of small and large animal models. Three areas broadly encompass the scope of VMB research:
Molecular and genetic studies of animal and pathogen biology.
Understanding molecular pathways of communication between pathogen and host.
Regulation of host immune responses in human and animal diseases.

Funding of research in the Department of VMB comes from diverse sources such as the National Institutes of Health, US Dept of Agriculture, National Science Foundation and the Montana Agricultural Experimental Station among others. Several large grants were awarded to the department in 2004 including a $10.1 million COBRE grant from the NIH, $10.5 million from NIH to study innate immunity, and a $2 million grant from the Department of Defense for adjuvant discovery.

The Department of VMB sponsors undergraduate programs in Biotechnology and Pre-Veterinary training and Masters and Ph.D. programs that emphasize training in cell biology, genetics, immunology, and infectious disease. Weekly seminars are offered by the department and the Nelson seminar series brings many accomplished scientists to Montana State University.

VMB is housed in the new Molecular Biosciences building. Instrumentation suites house equipment for DNA sequencing, genome analysis, flow cytometry and FACS, and epifluorescent or confocal microscopy. The Department has facilities for small animal experimentation and manages facilities for large animal work housed on 20 acres adjacent to the main building. With 21 tenure and research faculty, 66 professional staff, and 40 graduate and undergraduate students involved in independent research, VMB is a dynamic research and teaching environment with state-of-the-art facilities for cell biology, genomics, immunology, and microbiology.