Veterinary Science - BS

College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department of Animal, Dairy & Veterinary Sciences

About This Degree

The Veterinary Science degree offers a strong program in pre-veterinary studies.

The degree is a nonterminal program designed primarily for those students who intend to apply to veterinary schools. This program consists of three to four years of study, after which the student is eligible to apply to several colleges of veterinary medicine.

The pre-veterinary program can be individually tailored to meet the entrance requirements of various veterinary colleges and optimize a student’s chance of gaining acceptance. If a student is uncertain of his or her interests and aptitudes for veterinary medicine, the degree program is an excellent opportunity to gain experience and make career choices. Students should consult with the ADVS academic advisor to develop a program of study which best meets their needs and requirements.

Graduates with a degree in veterinary science are well-equipped for a variety of career paths in the veterinary and animal healthcare sectors. In addition to preparing for acceptance into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree program, the Veterinary Science degree prepares students for post-baccalaureate research degrees such as the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in a variety of biological and healthcare related emphases.

For more information about Animal, Dairy, & Veterinary Sciences, see the website.
If you are a new/entering student, we strongly recommend reviewing the four-year plan found at the bottom of this page.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL) . Additionally, MATH 1060 - Trigonometry or MATH 1100 - Calculus Techniques (QL) is required as a prerequisite for PHYS 2110 .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken at USU: 30
Credits of upper-division courses required for the major taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements for This Program

New freshmen: Admitted to USU in Good Standing
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU: 2.75 GPA

Additional Information

Students with last names A-L: Contact Allie East at allie.east@usu.edu, 435-797-2194, or https://aggie.link/AllieEast for advising.

Students with last names M-Z: Contact Tami Spackman, tami.spackman@usu.edu, 435-797-2150 or https://aggie.link/TamiSpackman for advising.

Program Requirements:

Attain a grade point average of at least 2.50 in all ADVS courses.
ADVS courses required for the major may be repeated only once to improve a grade.
Courses required for the major may not be taken for a pass/fail grade, except for courses that are only offered as pass/fail.
To graduate with a degree in this major, students must attain a GPA of at least 2.25 for all required courses for the major.

Veterinary Science - BS

Required Courses (67-69 credits)

ADVS 1050 - Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Science Academic and Career Orientation I 1 credit(s)
ADVS 1060 - Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Academic and Career Orientation II 1 credit(s)
ADVS 1110 - Introduction to Animal Science (BLS) 3 credit(s)
ADVS 2200 - Anatomy and Physiology of Animals 4 credit(s)
ADVS 3000 - Animal Health and Hygiene 3 credit(s)
ADVS 3500 - Principles of Animal Nutrition 3 credit(s)
ADVS 4200 - Physiology of Reproduction and Lactation (CI) 4 credit(s)
ADVS 4920 - Undergraduate Seminar (CI) 2 credit(s)
BIOL 1610 - Biology I 3 credit(s)
BIOL 1615 - Biology I Laboratory 1 credit(s)
BIOL 1620 - Biology II (BLS) 3 credit(s)
BIOL 1625 - Biology II Laboratory 1 credit(s)
BIOL 3060 - Principles of Genetics (QI) 3 credit(s)
BIOL 3300 - General Microbiology 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1215 - Chemical Principles Laboratory I 1 credit(s)
CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (BPS) 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1225 - Chemical Principles Laboratory II 1 credit(s)
CHEM 2310 - Organic Chemistry I 4 credit(s)
CHEM 2315 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 credit(s)
CHEM 3700 - Introductory Biochemistry 3 credit(s)
MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL) 4 credit(s)
PHYS 2110 - General Physics - Life Sciences I 4 credit(s)
STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) 3 credit(s) or
STAT 2000 - Statistical Methods (QI) 4 credit(s)
Choose one production course:
ADVS 2010 - Companion Animal Science and Management 2 credit(s)
ADVS 2080 - Beef Production Practices 3 credit(s)
ADVS 2090 - Sheep Production Practices 3 credit(s)
ADVS 2120 - Swine Production Practices 2 credit(s)
ADVS 2130 - Dairy Cattle Production 3 credit(s)
ADVS 2190 - Horse Production Practices 3 credit(s)

Directed Electives (18 credits)

Choose 18 credits from the following list:

ADVS 2020 - Companion Animal Nursing 2 credit(s)
ADVS 2160 - Introduction to Exotic Animals 3 credit(s)
ADVS 2500 - Feeds and Feeding 3 credit(s)
ADVS 3300 - Equine Lower Limb Form and Function 3 credit(s)
ADVS 3520 - Equine Nutrition and Exercise Physiology 3 credit(s)
ADVS 4210 - Applied Reproduction and Artificial Insemination 2 credit(s)
ADVS 4220 - Applied Equine Reproduction I 3 credit(s)
ADVS 4250 - Internship in Animal Industry 1-12 credit(s) (3 credits maximum will count towards directed electives)
ADVS 4560 - Principles of Animal Genetics and Breeding (QI) 3 credit(s)
ADVS 4800 - Undergraduate Research or Creative Opportunity 1-6 credit(s) (3 credits maximum will count towards directed electives)
ADVS 5020 - One Health: People, Animals, and the Environment 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5080 - Beef Cattle Management 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5090 - Sheep Management and Wool Technology 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5120 - Swine Management 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5130 - Dairy Cattle Management 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5160 - Methods in Biotechnology: Cell Culture 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5190 - Equine Business Management 2 credit(s)
ADVS 5260 - Methods in Biotechnology: Molecular Cloning 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5280 - Animal Molecular Biology 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5500 - Applied Animal Nutrition 2 credit(s)
ADVS 5530 - Nutrient Metabolization & Utilization 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5630 - Endocrinology (CI) 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5650 - Science Communication 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5710 - Conceptualizing the Human-Animal Bond 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5720 - Animal-Assisted Interventions and Special Populations 3 credit(s)
ADVS 5730 - Welfare and Behavior of Animals in Animal-Assisted Interventions 3 credit(s)
BIOL 3090 - Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 4540 - Invertebrate Zoology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 5150 - Immunology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 5210 - Cell Biology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 5230 - Developmental Biology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 5240 - Virology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 5600 - Comparative Animal Physiology 3 credit(s)
BUSN 2320 - Small Business Management - CTE (HR) 3 credit(s)
CHEM 2320 - Organic Chemistry II 4 credit(s)
HEP 2500 - Health and Wellness 2 credit(s)
PHYS 2120 - General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS) 4 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your academic advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Veterinary Science BS

Veterinary Science BS - 4 Year Degree Map