Veterinary Degrees Online

Biological Science and Chemistry are the traditional majors for pre-Vet-Med students. However, as with pre-med, any major is an option for a student desiring to become a veterinarian. The coursework requirements are identical to those for Pre-Medicine (see above under Medicine). Some schools have specific requirements for statistics (PSYC 63) and developmental biology/embryology (BIOL 105). Experience working with animals is a universal prerequisite for admissions to veterinary programs, and graduates also must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). It is best to obtain a catalog from the prospective schools and complete the courses required for the school of choice. Close contact with and advising from the advisor for Pre-Health Science in the Biological Science Department is strongly recommended for the entire undergraduate program.

More than likely you not only have or had a pet, you’ve always enjoyed being around and working with animals. Perhaps you have dreamed about being a veterinarian. If you have, your dream can begin to come true at the Mount because our Natural Science Division offers a of Pre-professional program that will prepare your for Veterinary school.

Students interested in going on to medical school participate in our Pre-professional program. Your course of study will include classes in biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, calculus and physics.

Your Pre-professional education will occur in a friendly, open atmosphere. You’ll receive the personal attention of highly qualified faculty with a diversity of scientific expertise and research interests. All of the Mount’s full-time faculty currently hold doctorate degrees from distinguished universities.

Graduates of the Mount have obtained entrance to a number of medical schools including Cornell Medical School, the Medical School at Syracuse University and the New York Medical College at Valhalla.

The liberal arts tradition

While it is very important to concentrate on one area of study, we believe that exposure to courses in other disciplines will develop you as a whole person. No matter what course of study you pursue at the Mount, you will take a number of required courses in the liberal arts (arts and letters, natural science, math, social science, and philosophy or religion.) Combined with the elective courses you choose to take, you will become a critical thinker and a life-long learner.

Entry time: Fall

Length: 1 year (3 semesters)

Award: Diploma

Description: As a Veterinary Assistant student, you’ll prepare for a career working with animals in a variety of settings such as veterinary clinics, animal control agencies, boarding kennels and grooming salons. You’ll study animal diseases and disease prevention, small animal pharmacology, pet grooming, kennel management, animal behavior, nutrition, legal principles, human relations, communication and computer science.

Course overview
Animal Welfare is an important issue of relevance to all levels of society; from individuals concerned with animal well-being to government departments involved in developing and implementing animal-orientated legislation. Ethical perspectives on man’s involvement with animals and the assessment of animal welfare are topics of much debate.

This course covers both the scientific principles underpinning the assessment of animal welfare and societal perspectives on this issue. Students use ethological, psychological, and physiological techniques to develop an informed, integrated, and rational approach to the assessment of animal welfare in both domestic and non-domestic contexts.

The main aims of this degree are:
to provide you with a broad knowledge base in the field of animal welfare
to equip you with the analytical and scientific skills necessary to test new ideas and critically review results.
From core modules you will learn to make scientific assessments of animal welfare in specific, practical situations. You will necessarily have the opportunity to gain practical experience of working with animals in a range of situations. A wide range of module options, from Vertebrate Biology to Parasitology, will allow you to focus on areas of particular interest or to prepare for a preferred career. When you graduate you will be able to:
design, prepare and execute scientific investigations, and analyse, evaluate and present your findings
understand and engage with current philosophical and ethical debates around animal welfare, and understand how science can help inform these debates
understand how conditions for domesticated or zoo animals may be adapted in order to allow them to best express their natural behaviour.
This is a modern and highly relevant degree dealing with an issue that attracts increasing public concern. It is a course that will not only engage and stimulate you intellectually, but will also prepare you for a career in a range of animal-related fields.

The course addresses both physiological and psychological aspects of animal health and well-being. In the first year, modules cover introductory physiology, anatomy and behaviour, as well as providing students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a range of animals. In the second year, these themes are developed and the contribution of health, nutrition and the environment to welfare is considered in more detail. In the third year, students are able to pursue their studies in specialist areas such as the behaviour of domestic animals and the management of animals in zoos. Ethical consideration of animal use is maintained throughout all years of study. All honours students are required to undertake a research project.

When combined with other subjects, for example animal behaviour or psychology, such programmes provide further opportunities for students to acquire complimentary skills in the study of animal behaviour, welfare, and human psychology.
Module guide
Year one core modules:
Core Biology
Comparative Mammalian Physiology
Animal Behaviour in Context
Introduction to Animal Behaviour & Welfare
Animal Husbandry
Biomeasurement
Year two core modules:
Preparation for Research
Practical Biology
Animal Health and Nutrition
Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare
Concepts in Animal Behaviour
Year three core modules
Undergraduate Project
Animal Welfare and Society
Design for Animal Welfare
Advanced Approaches in Animal Management
Special Topics in Animal Behaviour
Associated careers

This pathway will be of particular value to individuals looking to pursue a career within research, animal charities or zoos. This pathway also provides excellent general training as a scientist, enabling you to work in the field or in the laboratory for a wide range of organisations. Potential employers include: government agencies, environmental consultancies, wildlife conservation organisations, educational and research establishments. The course may also lead on to further postgraduate study and a research career.
Assessment

This course uses a wide range of methods of assessment including essays, practical reports, computer based assessments, presentations, debates, steeplechase tests, reviews of scientific papers and examinations.

Veterinary Science Technology is a growing field that offers a variety of careers to individuals interested in working with animals either as technicians or as members of a scientific community. For many people, the study of veterinary technology serves as a starting point for entry into various animal and health-related careers.

A veterinary technician is described by the American Veterinary Medical Association as “a person knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, in the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and in routine laboratory and clinical procedures. He or she is primarily an assistant to veterinarians, biological research workers and other scientists.”

The demand for personnel trained in the area of animal care and management is strong. The large pet animal population requires technical support personnel to assist veterinarians in the clinical practices. The growth of biomedical research and the concern for the humane care of animals used in research require qualified assistants. The expansion of the biotechnology industry has increased the need for qualified technical support.

The Veterinary Science Technology program has been designed to graduate well-trained and competent technicians for the veterinary and biomedical research fields. Practical experience with live animals and field experience under typical working conditions form an integral part of the program. The practical experience is achieved by internships with affiliated veterinary animal clinics, biomedical research centers and the college’s animal facilities.

The Veterinary Science Technology program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the New York State Education Department licensure examination for certification as a veterinary technician.

An articulation agreement exists between Suffolk County Community College and Cornell University. Students have the opprotunity to be accepted into the Collge of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University after completing their A.A.S. degree at Suffolk County Community College.
Animal Use
Animal use in the Veterinary Science Technology program falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the New York State Department of Health. Although animal alternatives to animal use are employed, a minimum of hands-on animal training is required to meet the standards set forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Activities.
Typical Employment Opportunities

Job opportunities exist as laboratory animal technicians or veterinary technicians in the following areas:

Small animal hospitals and clinics
City, state and federal government agencies

Research laboratories
Universities

Pharmaceutical companies
Medical and dental schools

Pet Industry / Sales
Zoological gardens

Public health agencies
Laboratory animal products / sales

Admission Procedures and Requirements
All applicants must have successfully completed Mathematics B, high school biology and chemistry (both with laboratories), or their equivalents (at Suffolk County Community College, MAT007, BIO101 and CHE100). Those applying directly from high school must also have a high school math and science average of 75 or higher. Transfer students or SCCC students requesting a change of emphasis must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or higher in the prerequisite courses. Although work experience with animals is not required, it is highly recommended. It is recommended that students apply by January 1 in the year of anticipated entry.

Admission to the full-time day program occurs every fall; evening students are accepted in the fall of even-numbered years. However, many students take general education (non-VST) courses that would apply to the curriculum before being accepted into the program.

The Veterinary Science Technology curriculum is a restricted program and highly competitive. Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program. The college reserves the right to make final decisions based upon the applicant pool each year.
Minimum Grade Requirements and Program Completion

Students admitted into the program must achieve a minimum passing grade of C in all VST courses. Only one repeat of a VST course is permitted. For optimal student performance, students will take courses in the sequences indicated below.

SUGGESTED DAY SEQUENCEFIRST SEMESTER: 18-19 credits Credits
ENG101: Standard Freshman Composition 3
Mathematics Elective 3-4
BIO141: Zoology 3
CHE120: Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry 4
* VST101: Introduction to Animal Technology 2
VST103: Comparative Anatomy of Domesticated Animals 3

SECOND SEMESTER: 18 credits
ENG102: Introduction to Literature 3
Social Science Elective 3
BIO142: Animal Parasitology 3
VST114: Veterinary Practice Management 2
* VST111: Farm Animal Nursing 3
VST112: Comparative Physiology of Domesticated Animals 4

THIRD SEMESTER: 16 credits
VST201: Laboratory Animal Technology 3
VST205: Pharmacy and Pharmacology 3
* VST203: Animal Clinic Internship I 3
VST202: Clinical Laboratory Techniques I 3
VST206: Veterinary Cardiology and Radiology 4

FOURTH SEMESTER: 19 credits
Social Science Elective 3
BIO244: General Microbiology 4
VST216: Surgical Nursing and Anesthesiology 4
VST212: Clinical Laboratory Techniques II 3
* VST213: Animal Clinic Internship II 3
Physical Education 2
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 71-72

SUGGESTED EVENING SEQUENCE (four years including Summers)
SUMMER SEMESTER I: 6-7 credits Credits
ENG101: Standard Freshman Composition 3
Mathematics Elective 3-4
FIRST SEMESTER: 5 credits
* VST101: Introduction to Animal Technology 2
BIO141: Zoology 3
SECOND SEMESTER: 6 credits

VST103: Comparative Anatomy of Domesticated Animals 3
* VST111: Farm Animal Nursing 3
SUMMER SEMESTER II: 7 credits
CHE120: Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry 4
ENG102: Introduction to Literature 3
THIRD SEMESTER: 7 credits

VST112: Comparative Physiology of Domesticated Animals 4
BIO142: Animal Parasitology 3
FOURTH SEMESTER: 9 credits

VST205: Pharmacy and Pharmacology 3
VST114: Veterinary Practice Management 2
BIO244: General Microbiology 4
SUMMER SEMESTER III: 6 credits
Social Science Elective 3

Social Science Elective 3
FIFTH SEMESTER: 7 credits
VST202: Clinical Laboratory Techniques I 3
VST206: Veterinary Cardiology and Radiology 4
SIXTH SEMESTER: 3 credits
VST212: Clinical Laboratory Techniques II 3
SUMMER SEMESTER IV: 3 credits
* VST203: Animal Clinic Internship I 3
SEVENTH SEMESTER : 7 credits
VST201: Laboratory Animal Technology 3
VST216: Surgical Nursing and Anesthesiology 4
EIGHTH SEMESTER : 3 credits
* VST213: Animal Clinical Internship II 3
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 69-70

* Students are required to provide their own transportation to off-campus field experiences.
These courses constitute the major courses in this curriculum in order to graduate.

REQUIRED CREDIT DISTRIBUTION
Veterinary Science Technology 40 credits
English 6 credits
Social Science 6 credits
Mathematics 3-4 credits
Science 14 credits
Physical Education
(full-time students only) 2 credits

Are you interested in how and why animals behave in the way they do? Are you interested in how the study of behaviour contributes to the welfare, husbandry and conservation of animals? If so, you should consider studying Animal Behaviour. This programme focuses on non-human animals but there is also a small element of human psychology.

The study of animal behaviour involves a multidisciplinary approach to determine how internal mechanisms generate a behaviour, and the evolutionary and ecological reasons for why a behaviour is performed. Throughout the programme, particular emphasis is placed on the design and performance of behavioural studies, including the use of the latest handheld computers and PC software packages to record and analyse behavioural data. There is the opportunity to apply these skills, under supervision from active researchers, during individual empirical research, as part of a workbased learning or honours project module at Level Three. Staff research interests and expertise are wide-ranging and include wild, captive and domestic animals but particular strengths are in primate (including human) and bird behaviour. Chester Zoo, Twycross Zoo, the Blue Planet Aquarium and Knowsley Safari Park are all within easy reach of the University and can be used to study animal behaviour, diversity and evolution.
Course delivery

The Animal Behaviour programme operates within the University Modular Framework. The programme is composed of modules at different levels, each level referring to a particular year of the full time course. Modules at Levels Two are generally 12 credits whilst those at Level Three are 24. For an honours degree you need 360 credits in total; 120 at each level.
Career prospects

For students graduating from the Animal Behaviour programme there are opportunities to enter careers that involve working with animals either directly or indirectly.

Employers may include zoos, aquaria, wildlife parks, conservation organisations, RSPCA, re-homing centres and research organisations. Some graduates may enter careers related to the veterinary professions after further study/postgraduate training.

The Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and approved by the Ohio Board of Regents. The program, which began Fall Semester 2006, is structured to allow admission once a year with a maximum of 24 students admitted each fall. All students who graduate from an AVMA accredited program are required to pass a written board examination in order to earn a Registered Veterinary Technician License for the State of Ohio.

To prepare Veterinary Technicians, our curriculum provides combined studies of college level general education courses and rigorous course work in science, animal health, management and veterinary medical concepts. Kent State Tuscarawas looks for highly motivated students interested in becoming Veterinary Technicians. The program also looks for individuals with animal experience, who will enjoy working with animals and who have an understanding of the field of veterinary technology and medicine.

Students interested in veterinary technology or becoming a Veterinary Technician should review the Fact Sheet and Program Application at right as well as the course requirements listed below. Applications for admission into the Veterinary Technology are available on this Web site and in the main office of Founders Hall. The application deadline is April 1. Please note the application includes a form for documenting exposure to the veterinary field. Applicants should be able to document working, volunteering, shadowing or some other form of experience in the veterinary field if they are interested in becoming a veterinary technician through this program.

Entry Requirements:

If you believe you meet the following entry criteria with alternative evidence please contact us to assess your eligibility for this programme.
Academic Requirements:

You must demonstrate one of the following: 36 credits in NCEA including:
12 credits in NCEA L2 in biology or physical education,
12 credits in NCEA L1 mathematics

and
12 credits in NCEA L2 English or English language rich subject (e.g., geography, history or economics)

If you do not meet the above criteria, you will require passes in relevant Certificate in Pre Health Science courses (contact Faculty of Health, Humanities & Science for further advice), or provide evidence of having the ability to study at a tertiary level and verified evidence of one year full time employment in an animal facility or equivalent.
Additional Requirements:

Preference will be given to those who can demonstrate a background of extensive involvement with animal care, welfare and handling, in veterinary clinics, and experience in dealing with the public.
Personal Requirements:

You must have no objection to working with animals, dissection of animal body parts, body fluids and cadavers, be able to understand and apply industry requirements to comply with OSH regulations both in the classroom and in work placement.
English Requirements:

If English is not your first language you are also required to provide evidence of your English language skills as listed below. Refer also to the Acceptable Alternatives Chart which includes credits in English-rich subjects from New Zealand educational institutions. If you have no evidence of your English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, contact us for an assessment.
IELTS 6.0 Academic (no lower than 6.5 in reading and listening subtests and no lower than 6.0 in speaking and writing subtests).

Immerse yourself in the study of animal reproduction, nutrition, growth and health. Learn to identify illnesses in animals and understand courses of treatment.

The science/preveterinary option from the University of Idaho prepares you to become a professional in veterinary health.

Explore animal sciences such as anatomy, nutrition and reproduction, including hands-on sessions in on-campus laboratories and animal centers. Our beef center has more than 50 purebred cows; the dairy center has about 100 milking Holsteins; and the sheep center has over 100 breeding Suffolk ewes.

During your senior year, you will integrate lessons from business and animal science when you evaluate real-world issues. You might determine the efficiency of a cow-calf operation, examine how horses are bred and sold, or develop a plan to market a swine vaccine.

You’ll learn from teachers involved in today’s most pressing issues in animal and veterinary science.

Acquire as much experience working with animals as possible. Complete internships in animal health, and volunteer to care for animals on campus.

Each school of veterinary medicine establishes its own requirements; therefore, students pursuing careers as veterinarians need to plan both pre-professional coursework and practical experiences to enhance their chances of acceptance. Veterinary schools value experience in working with animals as well as evidence of academic ability in pre-professional courses.

Wisconsin has a college of Veterinary Medicine at UW-Madison. The School of Veterinary Medicine does not offer a bachelor’s degree program. However, the school does offer a number of courses that are available to undergraduates, and it offers residency, master’s, Ph.D., and doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degrees. Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) must be submitted at the time of application. In addition to grade point average and GRE scores, evidence of motivation, promise of effective performance, communication skills, and breadth of experience, particularly that relate to veterinary practice, are taken into consideration.