Veterinary Degrees Online

Zoology is the study of all animals, ranging from single-celled
animals (protozoans) to birds and mammals (vertebrates). The
zoology major is housed in the Department of Evolution, Ecology
and Organismal Biology, which offers courses in the major animal
groups such as invertebrates, fish, birds, and mammals, as well
as courses in physiology, ecology, behavior, aquatic biology, and
evolution.
Pursuing Zoology at Ohio State
Students interested in majoring in zoology should have a good
background in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and skills
in written and verbal communication. Students with such a
background and skills will find it much easier to complete the
college-level courses in the physical and biological sciences
required for the zoology major.
All Ohio State freshman applicants are considered within a
competitive admission process for the Columbus campus.
The primary criteria for admission are the completion of the
applicant’s high school college preparatory program, performance
in that program as indicated by class rank and/or grade-point
average, and performance on either the ACT or SAT. Students
interested in majoring in zoology should contact the coordinating
advisor of the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal
Biology. The department’s coordinating advisor will explain
the requirements for a zoology major and discuss career plans
and goals with the student. A member of the faculty will then
be assigned as the student’s major advisor. The student then
meets with the advisor to develop a major program based on the
student’s career plans and goals.
Zoology Requirements
A major in zoology requires preparation in chemistry, physics,
math, and biology. The chemistry requirement includes general
and organic chemistry. Two quarters of physics, math through
calculus, and two quarters of introductory biology are required.
The zoology major requires that students complete five core
courses in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal
Biology; the core includes courses in evolution, animal diversity
and systematics, ecology, animal form and function, and cellular
and developmental biology. Some of the core courses are
accompanied by a laboratory. A course in molecular genetics is
also required. The remainder of the 45 credit hours needed for
the zoology major includes additional zoology courses, and can
include courses in related areas (e.g., microbiology, molecular
genetics, plant biology, entomology, etc.) that must be approved
by the student’s major advisor.
Co-Curricular Opportunities
No other learning experience can match the value of a “handson”
research project. Students in the College of Biological
Sciences are encouraged to engage in meaningful undergraduate
research opportunities. Such opportunities allow students to
develop their scientific curiosity, and to discover whether a
career in research is a good fit. Information about choosing
an undergraduate research laboratory and faculty research
interests is available on the Department of Evolution, Ecology and
Organismal Biology web page and on the College of Biological
Sciences web page at www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/undergrad/
undergrad-research.php.
The Zoology Club and a College of Biological Sciences honorary
student organization enhance learning opportunities and the
quality of the undergraduate experience for zoology students.
These clubs provide opportunities for students to interact with
faculty, discuss careers and research areas with scientists from
the Ohio State campus and beyond, and participate in service
activities.
Zoology students may take courses at Ohio State University’s
“Island Campus,” Stone Laboratory. Located on Gibraltar Island
in Put-in-Bay harbor on Lake Erie, this freshwater biological field
station and research laboratory offers introductory and upperlevel
courses suitable for undergraduate students in biological
sciences.
Honors & Scholars Programs
The Honors Program in the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences
provides high-ability students opportunities to pursue challenging
academic programs. Honors students in zoology are encouraged
to meet with their faculty advisor on a regular basis and to
construct an enhanced curriculum that includes honors courses,
upper-division courses to meet general requirements, rigorous
sequences, honors seminars, and a strong major, including a
significant research experience.
The Ohio State Scholars Programs feature residential
communities for students who share academic interests and
career goals. Two of the Scholars programs of interest to zoology
students are the Biological Sciences and Health Sciences
Scholars Programs. The Biological Sciences Scholars Program
emphasizes research, with individualized advising and significant
lab and field experience. The Health Sciences Scholars Program is
focused on preparing students for careers in health sciences and
health care.

Animal science is the study of the basic principles of science and their application to the biological, economic, and environmental aspects of livestock and poultry production, companion and recreational animals, and the processing of animal products. Students will receive a firm foundation in the basic science disciplines, which include population and molecular genetics, nutrition, physiology (lactational, reproductive, and growth), biotechnology, and meat science.
In addition to learning the basic principles of science, the major also requires a broad understanding of the factors that affect livestock operations, the allied industries serving animal agriculture, and animal product processing plants. Among these factors are economics, including finance, marketing, and personnel management; soil and crop science; agricultural engineering; and environmental concerns.
Pursuing Animal Sciences at Ohio State
Students should complete the college preparatory high school curriculum with a minimum of four units of English, three units of college preparatory mathematics, two units of social sciences, two units of natural sciences, two units of foreign language, and one unit of visual and performing arts. Additional units of science and mathematics are encouraged.
Students admitted to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences are qualified to enroll in the animal sciences major. Admission to the University is on a competitive admission process. The primary criteria for admission are the applicant’s high school college preparatory program, performance in that program and performance on the ACT or SAT. In addition, consideration is given to those applicants who provide cultural, racial, economic, and geographic diversity to the university, as well as those who possess outstanding particular talents.
Students admitted to the university and interested in animal sciences will be directly enrolled in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences as an Animal Sciences major.
Animal Sciences Requirements
In addition to the University’s General Education Requirements in the foundations, natural science, social science, arts and humanities, international experience, and contemporary issues, students in the animal sciences major must complete FAES 100, 55 to 65 credit hours in the major, 20 to 25 credit hours in a minor, and sufficient electives to make a total of 183 hours of credit for graduation.
Students in the major are required to take a core of courses and a minimum of 55 credit hours. The required courses include: Introductory Animal Sciences, Food Animal Products, Principles of Animal Systems Physiology, Principles of Genetic Improvement, Principles of Animal Nutrition, a data analysis course, a production and management course, and a capstone course in the major. In addition, a student must complete an internship of at least 200 work hours and a third writing course, which is part of the capstone in the major. Beyond these required courses, students work with their advisors to select a series of elective courses that will best prepare them for their career goals.
The student is also expected to select a minor, which encompasses 20 to 25 credit hours. The minor should be a series of courses that provides breadth to education in agriculture or is complementary to the major.
Nutrition Option
Animal Sciences majors interested in the absorption, metabolism, and functions of nutrients may elect to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, an interdisciplinary program involving the Departments of Animal Sciences, Food Science and Technology, and Human Nutrition. Students will select from a core of courses including Principles of Animal Nutrition, Advanced Animal Nutrition, Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism, and Principles of Nutrient Metabolism or Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism, as they discover how dietary compounds impact the whole body as a consequence of their actions at the cellular and molecular level.
Veterinary Technology Option
This option allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and the Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) in fourteen quarters.
Students can obtain the certification or licensure by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners as a veterinary technician. In addition to the typical careers available to Animal Sciences majors, students may also pursue careers in the field of veterinary medicine such as veterinary technician, animal behavior counselor, biomedical research technologist, laboratory animal manager, veterinary instructor, health technologist, specialty practice technician, and clinic or hospital team leaders and/or staff supervisors.
Interested students must apply to CSCC prior to February 1 of the sophomore year. Students will complete their first two years at Ohio State and the third and fourth years are split between Ohio

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State and CSCC. Summer course work is required during the third and fourth years of the program. Students also complete four 150-hour internships—one at Ohio State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital and three at private clinical practices, research centers, emergency/specialty hospitals, diagnostic laboratories or zoos.
Honors & Scholars Programs
Incoming first year students in the top 10% of their high school graduating class with an ACT composite of 30 or higher or combined SAT Critical Reading and Math scores of 1340 or higher are offered admission to the University Honors program. The honors program is designed to challenge superior ability students. It is based on the concepts of flexibility in course selection, accelerated or advanced classes, and an honors research or scholarly project. Course flexibility enables the honors student to achieve breadth and depth in the academic program and to define academic growth in a more personal way. Honors program students are given priority scheduling. Students completing honors courses have these designated on their transcripts with an “H” before the course, and those who complete the honors program satisfactorily, meeting all requirements, will graduate “with distinction” in their area of specialization. Enrolled students may also apply to the Honors program by submitting an Individualized Honors Curriculum after earning at least a 3.5 CPHR on 30 hours at Ohio State. Student must also maintain at least a 3.5 CPHR to remain in honors.
Co-Curricular Opportunities
Students receive “hands on” experience through course work in animal facilities, research laboratories, internship programs, Australia Study Abroad Program, General Livestock Selection and Evaluation Team, Dairy Cattle Selection and Evaluation Team, Poultry Selection and Evaluation Team, Equine Selection and Evaluation Team, Meat Evaluation Team, and Academic Quadrathlon.
Career Prospects in Animal Sciences
Students may prepare themselves for a variety of careers in science, business, and production agriculture. For example, graduates find employment in research laboratories, biotechnical industries, chemical/pharmaceutical companies, genetics and nutrition companies, allied industry associations, government agencies, and in meat science/food processing organizations.
Many students continue their education for a professional or graduate degree. Veterinary medicine and graduate studies in the animal sciences are the two most common pursuits for further education, but students can continue their study in law, human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing, and optometry.
Beginning annual salaries for recent graduates average $30,000 annually. Salaries are determined by the candidate’s skills and the responsibilities of the job.