Veterinary Degrees Online

Since there are many applicants for a limited number of openings at the professional schools in the health and allied health fields, students are urged to get a strong foundation in the basic sciences in their first two years and work toward a high G.P.A.

A broad background in humanities and social sciences will help students in communicating and relating with people. Students wanting to enter schools of medicine, veterinary science and dentistry need to complete a baccalaureate degree, with a major in biology, chemistry or other appropriate discipline. Students should make choices that meet the requirements of the 2+2 Benedictine University program or the program of study they plan to pursue at the senior college level.

Prerequisites
High school studies should include:
3 years of math, including second year algebra, geometry and trigonometry;
3 years of science, including one each in biology, chemistry and physics;
Other science courses (highly recommended);and
2 years of foreign language (highly recommended)

Zoology is the scientific study of animals. The School of Biological & Earth Sciences offers a uniquely tailored Zoology degree programme that explores the great diversity of living and extinct animal species and demonstrates how knowledge of functioning organisms can be put into practical use. It encompasses all aspects of biology, from biochemistry and cell biology to ecology and behaviour. It examines animals in the context of their evolution and their environment.

Building on a strong foundation in general biology (Level 1), the highly flexible modular programme provides students with the academic freedom to develop a deeper understanding of their own selected areas of zoological interest. The School prides itself on its research record and our staff are actively working in many fields of zoology, including animal energetics, endocrinology, molecular biology, parasitology, behaviour, conservation, taxonomy, physiology, ecology and palaeobiology. Many animal groups are represented in our current research programmes, including invertebrates such as insects and marine worms, birds, reptiles, large mammals and primates. An enthusiastic and supportive staff of active researchers will encourage students to focus their interests in the Honours year (Level 3) when they will be expected to select and conduct an original research project.

We are well-resourced and ideally situated to provide zoological instruction and practical experience of high quality (see below). Our modern research and teaching facilities enhance the delivery of laboratory based practical work. Located within easy reach of the City Centre and the North-West motorway network, we are able to exploit a wealth of local facilities and fieldwork sites to further support your theoretical studies. These include ready access to three major zoological collections (Chester Zoo, Knowsley Safari Park and the Blue Planet Aquarium) and an extensive network of dedicated research centres, museums, and industrial contacts. Many diverse habitat sites are studied including coastal sites in North Wales and Lancashire, inland ecosystems in Snowdonia and the Lake District, as well as a variety of Southern European ecosystems (usually in Mallorca).

The Pre-Health Advising Program has four components: 1) a strong curriculum in the sciences, which includes undergraduate research; 2) courses in the social sciences and humanities that address ethical, economic, and social issues in the health care field; 3) practical programs that focus on themes such as how to plan for a career in medicine and how to apply to medical and dental school; and 4) lectures by physicians and leaders in the health care professions. Through this range of activities, the Pre-Health Advising Program aids students in both their intellectual and career development.

Pre-Health Advising involves faculty from across the natural sciences, social ¬sciences, and the humanities. This approach to pre-health advising is in keeping with the nature of the problems facing medicine and health care professions today. In order for the health care professions to deal effectively with the scientific, technological, economic, social, and ethical problems that they currently face, those entering the professions must be trained broadly in the liberal arts. The American Association of Medical Colleges encourages undergraduates to take a balanced distribution of courses from the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. Wooster’s curriculum provides a strong foundation for students interested in a career in medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary medicine, and other allied health fields. In addition to the strong programs the College offers in biology, biochemistry, and chemistry, many courses in the social sciences and humanities also address current issues in medicine and other health care fields. Research and clinical experiences are strongly encouraged for ¬students pursuing a career in the medical professions, and Wooster students are provided with an excellent opportunity to do undergraduate research through the College’s Independent Study program. The Pre-Health Advising Program assists ¬students in several important ways. Students are given practical advice, assisted in choosing the most appropriate courses, informed about the range of health career options, educated about the importance and methods of preparing for graduate admissions exams (e.g., MCAT, DCAT, VCAT, and GRE), and guided in the application process. Moreover, students are also provided with the chance to engage intellectually with health care issues through hands-on experiences, such as Medic Aid in which Wooster students volunteer at a local hospital, and through lectures presented by doctors and scholars in the health care field.

The College of Wooster also participates in various dual degree programs in the health care field. In medicine and dentistry, the dual degree option applies to any properly accredited medical or dental school that admits students with three years of pre-medical preparation. The College has established with Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry a combined seven-year or 3-4 program for Wooster ¬students. With approval of the in absentia privilege, the Bachelor of Arts degree is granted upon the successful completion of the first year of the professional course. The College has also established a cooperative 3-4 program with the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (Case Western Reserve University), which requires the completion of three years at Wooster and four years at Case Western Reserve. While at Wooster, a student must meet the requirements for the dual degree program and complete two courses each in biology, chemistry, psychology, and sociology, and one course each in statistics, literature, and logic. Upon the successful completion of the first year in the nursing program at Case Western Reserve, the student will earn a B.A. from Wooster, and upon the completion of the nursing curriculum an N.D. and R.N. from Case Western Reserve. The R.N. is awarded upon passing the state certification examination. Details of these programs and specific course requirements are available from the chairperson of the Pre-Health Advising Program.