The Majors

Three majors are available within the department. The B.S. in Animal Science major is split into Animal Management, Animal Biotechnology and Research, and Equine Science concentrations in order to provide a more comprehensive background for careers in these fields. The B.S. in Pre-Veterinary Science major is designed specifically for students interested in postgraduate studies in the sciences including entrance into veterinary, medical, master's and doctoral research programs. The third major available is the B.S. in Veterinary Technology which prepares students for a career as a veterinary technologist/nurse in veterinary medicine or biomedical research.

Requirements

Requirements for Animal Science Major and Pre-Veterinary Science majors include the following courses:

Animal Science courses:

ANIMLSCI 101 Introduction to Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 103 Introduction to Animal Management
ANIMLSCI 220 Anatomy and Physiology
ANIMLSCI 260 Animal Care and Welfare
ANIMLSCI 285 Cellular and Molecular Biology
ANIMLSCI 311 Genetics
ANIMLSCI 494EI One Health OR ANIMLSCI 494GI Good Intentions

Extra-departmental courses:

BIOLOGY 151/152/153 Introductory Biology I, II and Lab
CHEM 111/112 General Chemistry I and II
CHEM 261 or CHEM 250 Organic Chemistry
BIOCHEM 320 Elementary Biochemistry
MICROBIO 310 General Microbiology
NATSCI 387 CNS Junior Writing Course
STATISTC 111 or STATISTC 240 or RESECON 212 Introductory Statistics

Animal Science Major - Animal Management Concentration/Subplan Additional Requirements

ANIMLSCI 320 Animal Business Management
ANIMLSCI 333 Equine, Cattle, and Companion Animal Nutrition
ANIMLSCI 392A Careers in Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction
ANIMLSCI 472 Infection and Immunity

Complete ONE Laboratory Course - choose from the following

ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology Lab
ANIMLSCI 385 Biotechnology Lab
ANIMLSCI 487 Fundamental Vertebrate Embryology
BIOCHEM 321 Elementary Biochemistry Lab

Complete 8 credits from the list below:

ANIMLSCI 231 Dorset Sheep Management I
ANIMLSCI 251 Dorset Sheep Management II
ANIMLSCI 232 Belted Galloway Management I
ANIMLSCI 252 Belted Galloway Management II
ANIMLSCI 233 Boer Goat Management I
ANIMLSCI 253 Boer Goat Management II
ANIMLSCI 234 Poultry Management I
ANIMLSCI 254 Poultry Management II
ANIMLSCI 236 Equine Management I
ANIMLSCI 256 Equine Management II
ANIMLSCI 238 Dairy Calf Management
ANIMLSCI 455 Research Animal Management I
ANIMLSCI 456 Research Animal Management II

Complete 3 credits from the list below:

ANIMLSCI 239 Livestock Classic
ANIMLSCI 240 Livestock Classic Management & Coaching
ANIMLSCI 242 Artificial Insemination
ANIMLSCI 373 Equine Diseases
ANIMLSCI 404 Winter Travelling Dairy
ANIMLSCI 432 Advanced Nutrition
ANIMLSCI 445A Equine Reproduction Lab
ANIMLSCI 454 Dairy Herd Management
ANIMLSCI 296T Intro to Teaching in Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 396T Intermediate Teaching in Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 496T Advanced Teaching in Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 291C Biotech Research – Cellular and Molecular I
ANIMLSCI 391C Biotech Research – Cellular and Molecular II
ANIMLSCI 491C Biotech Research – Cellular and Molecular III
ANIMLSCI 291M Biotech Research – Animal Models I
ANIMLSCI 391M Biotech Research – Animal Models II
ANIMLSCI 491M Biotech Research – Animal Models III

Animal Science Major - Animal Biotechnology and Research Concentration/Subplan Additional Requirements

ANIMLSCI 333 Equine, Cattle, and Companion Animal Nutrition
ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology
ANIMLSCI 392A Careers in Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction
ANIMLSCI 455 Research Animal Management I
ANIMLSCI 456 Research Animal Management II
ANIMLSCI 472 Animal Diseases

Complete 6 credits of Biotechnology Research - choose from the following

ANIMLSCI 291C Biotech Research - Cellular and Molecular I
ANIMLSCI 291M Biotech Research - Animal Models I
ANIMLSCI 391C Biotech Research - Cellular and Molecular II
ANIMLSCI 391M Biotech Research - Animal Models II
ANIMLSCI 491C Biotech Research - Cellular and Molecular III
ANIMLSCI 491M Biotech Research - Animal Models III
ANIMLSCI 385 Biotechnology Lab
ANIMLSCI 386 Veterinary Oncology Laboratory
ANIMLSCI 487 Fundamental Vertebrate Embryology

Animal Science Major - Equine Science Concentration/Subplan Additional requirements

ANIMLSCI 236 Equine Management I
ANIMLSCI 256 Equine Management II
ANIMLSCI 320 Animal Business Management
ANIMLSCI 373 Equine Diseases
ANIMLSCI 392A Careers in Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction

Complete 6 credits of advanced equine management courses -- choose from the following

ANIMLSCI 301 Equine Learning and Behavior
ANIMLSCI 302 Development and Training of the Horse
ANIMLSCI 401 Management of the Equine Athlete
ANIMLSCI 402 Equine Rehabilitation

Complete ONE Laboratory Course - choose from the following

ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology Lab
ANIMLSCI 385 Biotechnology Lab
ANIMLSCI 445A Equine Reproduction Lab
ANIMLSCI 487 Fundamental Vertebrate Embryology

Pre-Veterinary Major Additional requirements

ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology Lab
ANIMLSCI 472 Infection and Immunity OR ANIMLSCI 572 Molecular Immunology
ANIMLSCI 521 Physiology of Reproduction
CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 262/269 Organic Chemistry II with Lab
MATH 127 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I
PHYSICS 131/132 Introductory Physics I, II with Lab

Requirements for Veterinary Technology Majors on the UMass Amherst Campus

ANIMLSCI 105 and 105L Introduction to Veterinary Technology
ANIMLSCI 115 and 115L Large Animal Clinical Nursing
ANIMLSCI 125 and 125L Veterinary Clinical Nursing I
ANIMLSCI 220 Anatomy and Physiology
ANIMLSCI 225 Anatomy Lab for Vet Techs
ANIMLSCI 260 Animal Care and Welfare
ANIMLSCI 285 Cellular and Molecular Biology
ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology
ANIMLSCI 375 Veterinary Microbiology Essential Skills

Extra-departmental courses:

BIOLOGY 151/152/153 Introductory Biology I, II and Lab
CHEM 111/112 General Chemistry I and II
MATH 104
STATISTC 111 or STATISTC 240 or RESECON 212 Introductory Statistics

Additional Requirements for Veterinary Technology Majors on the UMass Mount Ida Campus

ANIMLSCI 333 Equine, Cattle and Companion Animal Nutrition
ANIMLSCI 355 and 355L Veterinary Clinical Lab Techniques
ANIMLSCI 405 Veterinary Practice Management
ANIMLSCI 415 and 415L Veterinary Clinical Nursing II
ANIMLSCI 425 and 425L Parasitology Lecture
ANIMLSCI 435 Veterinary Pharmacology
ANIMLSCI 455V and 455VL Lab Animal Medicine and Management I
ANIMLSCI 465 and 465L Diagnostic Imaging Lecture
ANIMLSCI 475 Veterinary Pathology
ANIMLSCI 485 and 485L Small Animal Anesthesia and Surgery Lecture
ANIMLSCI 492V Senior Seminar
ANIMLSCI 494VI Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in Veterinary Medicine
ANIMLSCI 498V I-IV Senior Internships (12 credits)
NATSCI 387 CNS Junior Writing Course

Electives:

ANIMLSCI 235 Shelter Animal Medicine
ANIMLSCI 315 Clinical Animal Behavior
ANIMLSCI 325 Sea Turtle Preservation in Costa Rica
ANIMLSCI 335 Conservation and Veterinary Medicine in Belize
ANIMLSCI 345 Exotic Animal Medicine
ANIMLSCI 410 VTNE Preparation

Animal Management Concentration

Students who choose to follow a career in Animal Management will have a well-structured and strong curriculum that can make them highly competitive in the marketplace, preparing them for both large-scale and small-scale farming of domestic animals, that is, “backyard to industrial”. The ‘buy local’ movement is expected to increase available jobs in New England for those schooled in this field. The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences offers a series of courses that formalize the curriculum and accessory courses are taken in ancillary departments to provide expertise in non-domesticated animal management (wildlife, zoo, exotics) or for a career in teaching agriculture. Students have access to a number of animal species at our associated farms on which to learn management skills, including: Belted Galloway cattle, Boer meat goats, Dorset sheep, and poultry. The Department also partners with a local dairy farm where students care for the dairy calves and learn management skills. The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences emphasizes animal ethics of food animal production as well as the impact of farming techniques on the environment.

Animal Biotechnology and Research Concentration

Students interested in laboratory or research careers in the fields of veterinary and human health or biotechnology should choose the Animal Biotechnology and Research concentration. Biotechnologists explore and develop new technologies in molecular biology, molecular genetics, embryo manipulation and cell and tissue culture. We encourage students to pursue their research interests and develop deductive reasoning skills in our laboratories, working with diverse animal species. Off campus, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Internship Challenge offers paid internships that have allowed our students to gain invaluable experience in biotechnology companies. (http://www.masslifesciences.com/programs/internship/ ) Animals contribute to human health through companionship, as models for human and animal diseases, as well as a source of food and fiber. There is a need for graduates who are familiar with animals to serve as lab technicians in the laboratories of both public and private research institutions.

Equine Science Concentration

The Equine Science concentration is designed for students interested in working in the equine business, nutrition and health fields. Horses require skillful management, knowledgeable trainers, specialized facilities, and appropriate nutritional programs. Those who enjoy horses can establish a satisfying career in this diverse and popular industry that involves agriculture, business, and recreation. Students gain experience and build professional contacts through internships, career seminars, and industry association events. Related opportunities exist in areas such as tack and equipment sales, horse feed and supplement consulting, alternative medicine, equine journalism and photography, and equine-assisted therapies.

Veterinary Technology Major

Veterinary Technology offers a rewarding and challenging career for dedicated, caring individuals who are committed to helping animals and their owners and improving animal health through excellent veterinary care. By assuming many of the nursing duties and care of the patients, veterinary technologists enable veterinarians to concentrate on their patient caseloads and expand the range and quality of services provided. Vet Techs are the nurses of the veterinary medical profession. Students who graduate from our accredited Veterinary Technology program are able to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) which is required by most states for technicians to be credentialed.

Students complete courses including small animal and large animal clinical nursing, biology, math and writing, animal welfare, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and veterinary clinical lab techniques, along with General Education course requirements on the UMass Amherst campus. Students move to the UMass Amherst Mount Ida Campus in Newton, Mass in their Junior year and complete veterinary diagnostic imaging, veterinary pharmacology, small animal anesthesia and surgery, veterinary parasitology, pharmacology, veterinary management, and laboratory animal medicine and management. Students are required to complete 480 hours of practical experience through internships in veterinary practice, clinical research sites or other veterinary experiences. The veterinary technology program has a large network of internships including veterinary hospitals, such as Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, wildlife centers, research institutes, zoos and clinical pathology labs.