Veterinary Degrees Online

The program in Zoology provides a vigorous background in the fundamental aspects of animal biology while allowing flexibility in planning the direction of specialization for student majors. Students plan their program in consultation with a faculty advisor and can select courses from several departments within the college (School of Biology & Ecology, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Molecular Biology, Department of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Department of Wildlife Ecology, School of Marine Sciences). The emphasis of student programs can include preparation for the health professions and range from the molecular and cellular levels through development and physiology to the evolutionary and ecological levels.
UMaine offers students many opportunities to participate in research in faculty laboratories. These include student independent research for course credit, research for a capstone or an honors thesis, and paid work. In addition, students can hold a variety of internships off campus. The UMaine Career Center provides many resources to help students find such internships.
Career Opportunities
There are many opportunities for employment of zoologists at the state and national levels in the health professions, and the fields of education, ecology, and agricultural science. Some of these positions require only a bachelors degree, but many require graduate study at a university or professional school. Opportunities are available in the private sector (health care, biotechnology, consulting), federal and state government (research labs, environmental monitoring), and at the local level (education). Opportunities for research positions exist at research universities around the country, e.g., the University of Maine, at private research laboratories, e.g., the Jackson Laboratory, in private industry, and in state and federal laboratories.

A high school diploma with the following
specific courses:
4 English
2 Algebra I & II
1 Geometry
2 Lab Science (including chemistry or physics)
2 History/Social Studies
Academic electives (to equal at least 17 total credits)
To ensure current mathematical skills, students should take a mathematics course during their senior year of high school.
Major Requirements

The Animal and Veterinary Sciences curriculum is designed to provide a broad biological training as well as a thorough understanding of the breeding, diseases, genetics, management, nutrition and physiology of large animals, and laboratory and companion animals. Animal and Veterinary Sciences courses also serve as elective opportunities for students in other agricultural and life sciences, and in other colleges. This department administers the Pre-Veterinary program and provides an opportunity for students to be certified to teach high school biology and agriculture.
Career Opportunities
Because a basic knowledge in animal sciences is fundamental to successful work in many job situations, the curriculum offers a wide choice of electives so students may adapt their courses of study to meet special professional interests or needs. Through the proper use of options, students can prepare for admission to graduate school or veterinary college, to teach sciences in secondary school, to pursue technical sales and service work in animal agriculture, to become laboratory animal technicians, or to develop such animal production enterprises as dairy or livestock farms. Superior students should consider continuing their studies at the graduate level.
Recent graduates from this program can be found in the food processing industry, cooperative extension, feed and drug sales, agribusiness loan organizations, agricultural consulting companies, dairy production units, humane care associations, laboratory animal care facilities, commercial biological laboratories and as practicing veterinarians.