Undergraduate Student Handbook:
Dept. of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Table of Contents

Introduction

Majors Descriptions
   Emphases

  

   Minor
   Dual Major

   New England Dairy
   Transfer Students
   Second Bachelor’s Degree
   Exchange Programs

Student Support Services
   Academic Counseling
   Update
   Career Placement & Job Opportunities 

Grades
   Repeated Courses
   Pass/Fail Policy
   Academic Status

Degree Requirements & Elective Courses
   University General Education Requirements
   Basic Science Core
   Animal Science Core
   Animal Science Electives
   Related Courses
   Graduate Level Courses

   Monitoring degree progress - SPIRE

   Course substitutions & waivers

Sequence of Courses

   Animal Science Major

   Pre-Veterinary Major

   Pre-Veterinary Major with deferred math/chemistry

Practical Experience and Research
   Internships
   Practicum
   Independent Study

Honors

Veterinary School Admission

   Course requirements for veterinary colleges

   Tufts early decision program

   Veterinary School Advisory Committee

Description of Departmental Courses

Use of Animals in Teaching

Personnel (Administration, Faculty, Staff)

Forms
   

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INTRODUCTION

This Undergraduate Handbook has been prepared to introduce prospective students to programs in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and to inform incoming and current students of the requirements of the curriculum. Our program includes a combination of courses that meet general education requirements, writing, basic physical and biological sciences. The curriculum in the Pre-Veterinary major meets the requirements of Veterinary Colleges, Medical Colleges and Graduate Schools (for Masters and Ph.D. programs). The curriculum in the Animal Science major offers a variety of specialized courses that prepare students for careers in the Biotechnology, Health Sciences, Equine and Livestock Industries and broadens the educational experience of students.

Since individuals have special interests, the departmental faculty encourages students to interact with them to develop a program of study that meets their career objectives. This interaction is an on-going process but formal meetings between faculty members and advisees are scheduled in both the Fall and Spring semesters and students are required to attend these. To avoid disappointment it is important that students entering our Department understand that we offer primarily a science-based program that presents the opportunity to gain experience with species relevant to traditional animal science programs (livestock species as well as alpaca), as well as in equine studies . It is not a clinical program in veterinary medicine and thus does not offer small animal, exotic animal or wildlife experiences, nor is it the appropriate program for those interested in production agriculture.

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ANIMAL SCIENCE MAJOR DESCRIPTIONS

         BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE
The undergraduate program leads to the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree and offers two specialty majors.  All incoming freshmen students enter our program as Animal Science majors and must qualify to change to the Pre-Veterinary major.

• Animal Science Major - This major provides a sound background in the basic sciences to prepare students for a broad range of jobs in agriculture and related biomedical fields.
• Pre-Veterinary Major - This major is primarily designed to provide pre-professional training to students planning to continue their education in Veterinary, Graduate or Medical school, or who are contemplating joining the teaching profession.

To be eligible to enter the Pre-Veterinary major, students must achieve and maintain an average grade of B- or better in the following required courses:

•   Animl Sci 103 - Introduction to Animal Management
•   Animl Sci 200 - Animal Cell & Molecular Biology
•   Animl Sci 220 - Anatomy & Physiology.
•   Biology 100/101 or Biology 102/103
•   Chemistry 111/112 - Inorganic Chemistry
•   Chemistry 261, 262, 269 - Organic Chemistry
•   Math 127- Calculus

Students may enter the Pre-Veterinary major at any time when they have met the above requirements.  To enter the Pre-Veterinary major, students must complete the GPA calculation sheet and bring it to 309 Stockbridge Hall. Students who are unable to maintain an average grade of B- or better in the courses required for entrance to the Pre-Veterinary major will have ample time to tailor their class choices to suit their area of interest and future career goals and generate an emphasis in a relevant area.

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         AREAS OF EMPHASIS  

In addition to the two majors, many electives are available to create an emphasis in the area of Equine Studies, Livestock Studies and Biotechnology & Research.

         EQUINE STUDIES EMPHASIS - The size and diversity of the horse industry provides a variety of careers. These include working directly with horses as professional riders, trainers, stud farm managers, farriers, horse transporters or farm managers. Graduates are also employed as riding instructors for schools, colleges and private stables, as extension agents, in feed, tack and pharmaceutical businesses, by equine publishing firms and other industries. Some students continue their education and become equine veterinarians, researchers and college or university professors. Equine Studies offers two areas of concentration:

• Equine Management
• Horsemanship Skills (Equitation)

The Equine Management Concentration involves all phases of the selection, breeding, care and management of the horse and prepares students for a career in horse farm management or related professions. The concentration includes courses in conformation, selection, breeding, diseases and injuries, and equine business. In the breeding courses, students learn and participate in all aspects of breeding, pregnancy detection and foaling. A faculty member, who is an equine veterinarian, teaches the upper level specialty courses. In the disease and injuries course, students get similar educational and practical experiences helping to maintain the school and research herds.

The Horsemanship Skills Concentration primarily prepares students for positions as riding instructors and provides opportunities to develop riding skills and horse training and development. This concentration includes courses geared toward instructing and riding. Equitation classes are available to students of all levels and meet twice weekly. We emphasize dressage for the flat schools and both hunt seat equitation and a functional cross country position, as students school on the cross country course as well. These classes require a $550 per semester fee, payable to the University of Massachusetts, Animal Science Department for school horse maintenance. The Theory and Method of Equitation Instruction class allows students the opportunity to teach within our program and become licensed by the State of Massachusetts. We also offer a training course, which allows students the opportunity to work with our young stock on the ground. Upon completion of this course, if their riding level warrants, they may continue the training from the saddle.

Students are actively involved in the maintenance of the horse herd. Students are also encouraged to participate in the numerous extracurricular activities that are available including the Intercollegiate teams and other extracurricular opportunities including horse shows, field days, clinics, and short courses on campus. Students are exposed to the horse industry on field trips, and are encouraged to enroll in internships, practica, or cooperative education experiences in the field which provide valuable experience as well as academic credit and/or pay. These experiences often become the introduction to a permanent position after graduation.

         LIVESTOCK STUDIES EMPHASIS- Our large animal population consisting of alpacas, goats, horses, llamas, sheep, and Belted Galloway cattle maintained on the Hadley Farm and at our South Deerfield Complex provides the basis for much of the animal experience we offer whether one is interested in applying to veterinary school or seeking employment opportunities after graduation. Along with our curricular offerings of reproduction, nutrition, and management, we offer numerous extra curricular activities to all interested students. These have included participation in Regional and National Dairy Challenges, the Genex Open House and tour of Cornell Veterinary School, Winter Traveling Dairy Tour, NESA (the Northeast Intercollegiate Animal Science Competition), and our Artificial Insemination Certification class. These events all promote positive student to student, student to faculty, and student to industry representative interaction, which can lead to post-baccalaureate internship employment, and graduate school opportunities. We encourage students to develop and pursue their research interests. Animals contribute to human health through companionship, their role as models for diseases, as well as a source of food and fiber. There is a need for graduates that are familiar with animals to serve as lab technicians in the laboratories of both public and private research institutions. We encourage all students, regardless of their professional goals to participate in as many of these offerings as possible.

         ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY & RESEARCH EMPHASIS - This is a particularly interesting time to enter the field of animal science since research on gene regulation and early embryo development has resulted in novel techniques to manipulate and exploit the genomes of domestic animals for both food production and biomedical purposes. Animals also contribute to human health through their role in research as models for humans. In the Biotechnology sector, small numbers of valuable animals are used and demand specialized care and management. The Biotechnology & Research emphasis is for those students interested in laboratory or research careers in the fields of veterinary and human health or biotechnology. The opportunities in these areas are expanding rapidly in the Northeast. Biotechnologists explore and develop new technologies in molecular biology, molecular genetics, embryo manipulation and cell and tissue culture.

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MINOR
Veterinary & Animal Sciences does not currently offer a minor.

DUAL MAJORS
Students with strong coursework in other departments may want to consider a dual major. Students declare a primary and secondary major.  After meeting those requirements, both majors will be listed on their official transcript.  Students should seek out an advisor for each major.

SECOND BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE
Students who have graduated from other majors at UMass Amherst or from other universities are eligible to apply for a second degree. Most students accepted into this program in recent years are changing careers or completing courses required for entry into Veterinary school. The University requires UMass-Amherst graduates to take 30 additional credits, and students who are graduates from other universities to take 45 additional credits. There are no other University requirements. Prospective students choosing Animal Science may accomplish this goal by first applying for second degree status through University Admissions and meeting the minimum Departmental requirements below.

The courses for the Second Bachelors Degree in Animal Science may require a number of prerequisites that are not presented, including courses that may be needed for entry into veterinary, graduate, or professional schools. It is also possible that courses taken elsewhere may meet one or more of the above Departmental requirements. Prospective students should contact  the Undergraduate Program Administrator to schedule an appointment to speak with an advisor who can evaluate the student's completed course work and advise the student on what coursework would be needed to achieve their goal.

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NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITIES COOPERATIVE DAIRY PROGRAM
This program is part of a New England wide effort to acquaint students with the opportunities in the dairy industry. Dairy farming is the largest commercial animal industry in our region and forms the basis for New England Animal Agriculture. To date, the program has sponsored a winter traveling dairy course for undergraduates and a one-day dairy workshop for both undergraduates and dairy farmers. Also included are cooperative research projects and outreach.

TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students often transfer from community and other colleges and universities to UMass-Amherst. The University and the Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences establish the number of transfer credits and course equivalents. Upon arrival, a transfer student should work closely with the Transfer Advisor and with his or her assigned academic advisor. This counseling can aid in developing a curriculum that will minimize the time needed to meet the requirements for a degree. A student transferring as a junior, for example, may need one or more prerequisite classes before being able to take junior level Departmental courses. It may be necessary to plan on one or more extra semesters of course work to be able to take the courses you want and to meet graduation requirements. This will depend on your previous major and the courses to be transferred.

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EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
We welcome exchange students from other universities in the United States and from around the globe. Students are encouraged to participate in national and international exchange programs.

Exchange Students from Other Universities - We would like to make your time in our Veterinary & Animal Science a pleasant one. It is important that you meet with the Undergraduate Program Director or a faculty member to ensure the classes your home university may have selected for you, or that you have selected, are appropriate. A short visit can determine if you have taken the prerequisites needed for success in those classes.

National Student Exchange for UMass Students – The on-campus UMass-Amherst Domestic Exchange is part of the National Student Exchange of about 160 colleges across the United States. With planning through your academic advisor, courses can be selected to meet Departmental and university requirements so that you graduate with your class. You may also find courses not offered in UMass-Amherst that would enhance your educational experience. Students normally select an exchange for their junior year. Applicants must be in good standing (GPA of 2.5) and make application for an exchange through the UMass-Amherst Domestic Exchange Office, 614 Goodell (413-545-5351) in the year prior to the exchange. Exchanges can be for one or two semesters at the same or different schools.

International Student Exchange for UMass students – International exchange programs through UMass-Amherst can be arranged throughout the world. UMass has a long history of international involvement with other universities beginning with our third college president William S. Clark, who was instrumental in the development of, and the first president of Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan in 1876. It was started as an agricultural college and continues today as a sister university of UMass-Amherst. In appreciation, the outdoor art display on Orchard Hill behind Van Meter Dorm was donated by Hokkaido University. Today, exchanges involve over 80 college programs in 25 countries. International exchanges most often occur in the junior year. A grade point average of 3.0 and foreign language proficiency (in non-English speaking countries) is desired. Most courses taken (but not the grades) are transferable to our program and count towards residency credit requirements. Apply at the W.S. Clark International Center, Hills South, 4th floor (413-545-2710).

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STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

On campus, there are a wide variety of support services available to students needing assistance.   Visit the support page at YouMass for a comprehensive listing, or the Academic Support Services web site for more information about University-wide support services. Within the College of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Associate/Academic Dean's office provides assistance in college academic matters and career counseling. In the Department we offer faculty advising and Departmental bulletin boards with postings for internships and jobs. Internship and job information is also maintained outside Room 316 Stockbridge Hall.

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ACADEMIC COUNSELING
During the summer prior to their first semester, freshmen students meet with faculty from the Animal Science Department to assist in registration for their first semester of classes. Our Department encourages students to meet with their faculty advisor and seek advice in selecting a career option as well as meeting Veterinary & Animal Sciences and University requirements.  The faculty may be particularly useful in providing guidance in the selection of an area of emphasis and appropriate courses consistent with the students career goals. The Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences does require students to meet with their advisor during each of the Fall and Spring pre-registration periods (notification is sent to students via email).  Faculty advisors have RAC (registration access code) numbers to give students when they meet with their advisors. More frequent contact is encouraged so that faculty can get to know you.  If, for some reason, a student wishes to change advisors, please see Mary Schneider, Room 215 in Paige Lab.  If you are unsure of your advisor's name and office number, an updated list is maintained on bulletin boards outside Room 309 Stockbridge  and Room 314 Paige Lab.  Tutoring is available at the Learning Commons in W.B. DuBois Library

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CAREER PLACEMENT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The Campus Career Network maintains an office directly associated with the College of Natural Resources and the Environment (545-6011) to advise students in our major as well as other majors in the College. The Career Services office is located at 511 Goodell. This office seeks to directly aid students in the process of applying for jobs. Workshops are held at various locations on campus. Interviewing skills, resume writing, and job search strategies are emphasized. Students seeking aid in self-assessment and career goal changes are also encouraged to visit. See the Practical Experience and Research section of this handbook, or for more information. click on the above link for the Campus Career Network.

Internships and co-op opportunities are additional services of the Campus Career Network. The office staff can aid students in locating and organizing an internship or co-op experience. Veterinary & Animal Sciences awards credit for these activities. Your advisor can help arrange internships, co-op and summer practicum contracts in conjunction with the Campus Career network that offers a "field experience survival kit" to help first time participants with this opportunity. Advisors and other faculty members may also be aware of jobs that are available and can sometimes help students with job placement. Most advisors are also willing to review letters of application and resumes for you. Faculty members are very interested in your career success and are willing to write letters of recommendation for students they know from class work and/or advising. In recent years about 20% of our graduates have entered veterinary, graduate or professional schools. Others develop careers in a variety of diverse occupations that include technicians in the biotechnology field, veterinary assistants, equitation instructors, stable managers, teachers, extension agents, agribusiness sales and service, government agencies and farming. Most students graduating from veterinary schools enter veterinary practice, and most graduate students develop professional careers as university faculty members, industry professionals and research program leaders.
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GRADES

The following are a few comments on the University’s grading system. For more detailed information the student should consult the most recent edition of Academic Regulations. The University's official grading system is: A (4.0), A- (3.7), B+ (3.3), B (3.0),B- (2.7) , C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C- (1.7), D+ (1.3), D (1.0), F (0.0), IF (incomplete failure calculates as an F for students without graduate standing), INC (Incomplete calculates as an F for students without graduate standing until final grade is received), P (Pass: No effect on cumulative average, but is added to graduation credits).  Courses marked F, INC, W, Y, NR, blank or AUD do not earn graduation credit. Courses below the 100-level earn semester credit but not degree credit. They are factored into the semester and cumulative grade point averages.  Students who are unable to complete course requirements within the allotted time because of severe medical or personal problems may request a grade of Incomplete from the Instructor. Grades of Incomplete will be converted to an F if not resolved by the end of the following semester.

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REPEATED COURSES
Effective for courses repeated during or after the Fall 1993 semester, students may repeat up to five courses for which they have received grades of C- or lower beginning Fall 2004 and only the last grade received in the course is included in the computation of the cumulative grade point average.  The grades received in both the original course and the repeated enrollment remains on the students record.   Students may not enroll in a course more than twice without the approval of their academic advisor or undergraduate dean.  This repeat policy applies only to courses taken at University of Massachusetts-Amherst.  Successful repetition of a course originally graded F will yield credit toward graduation.  For the first five courses repeated, the grade substitution will be made automatically regardless of the grade unless the student informs the Registrar's Office before the end of the Add/Drop period in the semester in which they are repeating the course that they do not wish to have the grade received in the repetition substituted for the original grade.  Beyond the fifth course, both the original and repeated grade will calculate in the GPA.

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PASS/FAIL POLICY
The Department concurs with the UMass Pass/Fail policy, which provides that any full-time undergraduate shall be eligible to use a pass/fail option in one course each semester except for courses taken to satisfy the General Education requirements. We emphasize that the established purpose of the pass/fail program is “to encourage full-time students to be usefully venturesome in the choice of their elective courses.” We require, however, that all Animal Science majors take Departmental requirements on a graded basis. Because of the reluctance or refusal of some veterinary school and graduate school admission boards to evaluate transcripts with pass/fail courses, students who anticipate applying for admission to professional or graduate schools are encouraged to take all Departmental courses and all math or science courses on a graded basis.

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ACADEMIC STATUS
The Academic Status may be confusing because of the many categories in which a student may be placed. The following is a brief description of the common academic status categories; for more details consult the most recent edition of Academic Regulations

        Good Standing – Students are in good academic standing when their cumulative grade point average is 2.00 or above. The number of credits per semester is not used to determine good academic status. However, the Registrar’s Office will issue a credit alert to students who have earned less than 12 credits per semester. If 48 degree credits have not been earned by the end of four semesters, the student must obtain approval of an academic plan for graduation.

        Academic Warning – Students with a cumulative average of 2.00 or above but whose semester average is less than 2.00, will be sent a warning stating that they should consult their academic advisor.

        Academic Probation – Students whose cumulative average falls below 2.00 will be placed on Academic Probation. Students who have been placed on Academic Probation or who have received a second consecutive Academic Warning should contact their undergraduate dean.

        Academic Suspension – Students who have been on Academic Probation and who fail to achieve or maintain good standing in any subsequent semester will be placed on Academic Suspension unless they meet requirements for a successful appeal of their academic status. Suspension means that the student may not be enrolled in the succeeding semester; it is a one-semester separation from the University.

        Probation Continued – Students subject to Academic Suspension or Dismissal whose semester’s work shows substantial improvement, may, at the discretion of the Academic Dean, be placed on Probation continued instead of being suspended or dismissed.

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DEGREE REQUIREMENTS & ELECTIVE COURSES

         UNIVERSITY GENERAL EDUCATION (GenEd) REQUIREMENTS
To assure a well-rounded education, the University requires each student, regardless of major, to take courses in several curriculum areas. The following check-off sheets provide a guide. Consult the General Education Requirements page for details. The schedule booklet published during pre-registration contains lists of the approved courses found in each category.

         Writing
         College Writing ENGWLP 112, (or 113 taught on word processors)
         Junior Writing Requirement (Satisfied for AnSci majors by ANIML SCI 300)

         Biological/Physical World

        Students are required to take three Biological and physical World courses.  They must take one course in Biological Sciences (BS) and one course in Physical Sciences (PS).  The third science requirement can be satisfied with a BS, PS or Science Interdisciplinary (SI) course.  They cannot be satisfied with an "I".  The biology and chemistry courses that we require our majors to take satisfy these requirements. 

        Analytical Reasoning (includes Math)
        Students must meet or test out of the basic math skills (R1) taught in MATH 101/102 or MATH 104. The R2 requirement is met by REC EC 211 in the Basic Science Core.
   

       *Social World
        Arts/Literature (AL), one class
        Historical Studies (HS), one class
        Social/Behavioral Sciences (SB), one class
        Plus one additional course in the following: Arts (AL, AT, I or SI), Social and

        Behavioral Sciences (SB, I or SI), Social World (AL, AT,HS,SB,I or SI)

        *Interdisciplinary Courses

A student may substitute up to three interdisciplinary (I) and/or Science Interdisciplinary (SI) courses for some General Education requirements, except for CW, R1 and R2.  Up to three "I" courses may be substituted in the other areas, subject to the restriction that all students must take at least one course each in AL,HS, SB, BS and PS.  An "I" course which has a Social and Cultural Diversity designation (ID) may also be used to fulfill a Diversity component.

       *Social and Cultural Diversity

Students must take two Diversity courses, designated by U or G.  The U and G designations may be combined with Social World courses with designations like ALU, ALG, ATU, ATG, HSU, HGS, SBU, SBG, IU or IG.

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MAJOR COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students are encouraged to evaluate their academic abilities and consider upgrading the basic requirements to more advanced levels, which are required for entrance into professional and graduate schools. These advanced levels are presented in the Pre-Veterinary below.

  BASIC SCIENCE CORE

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  ANIMAL SCIENCE CORE

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ANIMAL SCIENCE ELECTIVES

  (selected list)

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MONITORING YOUR DEGREE PROGRESS IN SPIRE

Students monitor their degree progress by logging on to Spire  with their i.d. and password.  This gives a current transcript of all courses completed, all transfer courses accepted and what they were applied towards, grades and credit hours earned as well as indicating outstanding University requirements in BOLD.  Before meeting with your departmental academic advisor, students should print out a copy of their degree progress and have noted all University Gen Ed requirements that are still outstanding.

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COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS & WAIVERS

Students must meet all requirements unless they have been granted a waiver for a course by the Departmental Curriculum Committee.  There is an established process for this that must be followed.  If a course is missing and a waiver has not been granted, the student will not be cleared for graduation.  To APPLY for a waiver, the student must fill out a Waiver Request form along with their academic advisor stating the circumstances and the Committee will consider these once per semester.     Some substitutions are automatic:

       Biochem 285 for AnimlSci 200

       Biol 564 or 567 for AnimlSci 220      

       Biology 283 for AnimlSci 311

       Biochem 523 for Biochem 420

       Micro 540 or Animl Sci 597A for Animl Sci 472

       Stats 111, Res Ec 212 or Psych 240 for Res Ec 211

Other substitutions or waivers are rigorously evaluated and no guarantee is made that they will be granted.  Thus, get waivers BEFORE the event.  Students are responsible for planning and taking required courses in a timely manner.  Often, basic science courses can be taken at other colleges in the summer.  Students need to check with the Undergraduate Registrar's office and get prior approval for a transfer BEFORE they take the course elsewhere.  Some courses are already on the books there.  Students should check the catalog in the Registrar's office to see, for example, if Chemistry 111 at UMass can be fulfilled by taking Chem XYZ at AnyName university or college.  If a course is not on the books, students need to take a copy of the course description of the course they propose to substitute to their advisor along with the pre-approval transfer form for approval and signature and return same to Registrar's office.

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SUGGESTED SEQUENCE OF COURSES

The Animal Science major provides a sound background in the basic sciences but requires fewer credits in chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology than the Pre-Veterinary major and none in physics, thus, freeing students to take more applied electives.  Thus, Animal Science majors can complete an Emphasis in Animal Biotechnology& Research, Livestock Studies or Equine Studies.  Alternatively, students may develop a unique curriculum by choosing courses from the different areas of emphasis or from outside of the department in consultation with their academic advisor.

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ANIMAL SCIENCE MAJOR

Choose appropriate electives to fulfill a Biotechnology/Research, Livestock Studies, or Equine Studies emphasis.

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PRE-VETERINARY MAJOR

This sequence meets requirements of most veterinary, graduate and professional schools. Note: Students need to have completed their math R1 requirement (completed Math 104 or received a score of 20 or better on "Part A" of the math placement test.

*Consider BIOCHEM 523 as a replacement for BIOCHEM 420

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PRE-VETERINARY MAJOR WHEN DEFERRING MATH/CHEMISTRY

This sequence meets requirements of most veterinary, graduate and professional schools.

*Consider BIOCHEM 523 as a replacement for BIOCHEM 420

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PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH

The Department encourages students to pursue work outside the conventional classroom and to undertake independent academic work under the direction of a faculty member. Credits are graded and projects vary from 1 to 6 credits varying from library research on a topic to significant hands-on laboratory research projects. These experiences may include independent studies, practica and internships.   NOTE:  During their undergraduate career, students cannot take more than 15 credits total for combined courses numbered 298, 398 and 498Y.

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INTERNSHIPS
The Department encourages qualified students to seek experiences off campus that may enrich and further their career goals. Internships may be conducted during a regular semester or summertime, but do not substitute for required University or Departmental courses. Extensive experience with a variety of large and small animal species, and a summer's work (or equivalent) with a veterinary practitioner, is desirable prior to application to veterinary school. Graduate school applicants in the animal sciences should have some practical farm experience if they anticipate applying for faculty positions in animal science Departments or professional positions in the research industry.

Students may earn up to 12 credits for internships with credits determined by the nature, scope and duration of the proposed experience. Students sign up for ANIML SCI 298, which is graded on a mandatory pass/fail basis. Students may find that an internship taken during a regular fall or spring semester may increase the time needed to meet graduation requirements.  Students may find internship possibilities on their own, seek help from advisors, other faculty and the Campus Career Network. Some planning and coordination is required to set up a successful internship. The following are the minimum requirements.

Internship Requirements-

1. The student must be an Animal Science student in good academic standing.
2. The student must find a faculty sponsor who agrees to supervise and evaluate the internship.
3. Prior to the internship experience, the student must develop a proposal, which is mutually satisfactory to both the student and the faculty sponsor. A contract is developed and signed by both the student and the faculty sponsor.
4. The student must demonstrate that the internship will be an academically valuable experience and will supplement or complement some part of the student’s Animal Science curriculum. Work experiences such as working in a veterinary clinic, at a farm, summer horse camp or zoo would not ordinarily qualify for an internship, but would be a work experience best handled as a practicum. The inclusion of a research component, the development of a teaching curriculum or establishment and implementation of a farm management plan are examples that would be more appropriate for an internship.
5. Internships of greater than 6 credits require a pre-course and a post-course, which with the internship, will constitute a coherent program of study. No credit will be awarded until the post-course has been completed.
6. Following the completion of the internship the student must present to the faculty sponsor a journal and summary report that can serve as a major indicator of what was learned and how the internship related to the pre- and post-courses taken.

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PRACTICA
The Department encourages the development of practical skills working with animals in some way such as farms and veterinary clinics, working in research laboratories, or by engaging in animal related government, banking and educational experiences with private and public agencies.  All students are encouraged to gain added animal experience by working off-campus in some phase of animal agriculture. Veterinary schools favor applicants who have experience working with a veterinarian; the equine industry highly values practical farm experiences, as do dairy and livestock farms and related industries. It is essential that students interested in research animal management gain practical experience as well.  Practica are common in the animal agricultural support industries with opportunities ranging from pharmaceutical sales and feed manufacturers to farm stores and financial institutions. We like to encourage both the student and the employer to consider a broad range of experiences rather than narrowly focused ones such as only feeding calves, or milking cows, or surgical assistant or a fixed research laboratory methodology. Practica become an excellent means of developing future job contacts.

Summer Practicum (298) - A summer practicum is normally awarded 4 pass/fail credits. Maximum of 15 credits is allowed for practica. The requirements are:

1. The student's advisor or another faculty member acts as a sponsor. The student and faculty member agree on the experience and develop a practicum contract (available from your faculty sponsor) which both sign.

2. The contract cannot be developed and signed prior to the semester involved. Students must register for practicum credits during pre-registration and/or early in the semester in which the practicum takes place. If the practicum takes place during the summer, students must register for credits through the Division of Continuing Education .
3. Normally, a summer practicum of 4 credits consists of working 8 – 10 weeks, 40 hour/week.
4. The student submits a written report to the faculty sponsor. Most faculty sponsors require that a journal of activities be kept and that the final report integrates both the work and learning experiences into an overall evaluation.
5. Students may wish to undertake some type of on-campus practicum under the guidance of a faculty member for credit. The procedures are similar to the summer off-campus practicum described above except that the student registers for 398, which is also graded on a pass/fail basis. Veterinary& Animal Sciences practica are limited to 3 credits per semester. Departmental practica are limited to 3 credits per semester. Contract forms are available from your faculty sponsor.

Year Long Practicum (498Y) - To register for a year-long practicum use 498Y (1-15 credits) for the 1st semester and you will receive a Y for a grade; then at the end of the 2nd semester, a grade for the course of pass/fail will be assigned for both semesters.  Practicum forms are available online or at 309 Stockbridge Hall.

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INDEPENDENT STUDY
Students wanting to undertake research directed by a faculty member can develop proposals for academic credit under the Independent Study course numbers ANIML SCI 196, 296, 396, 496 and 596. The number of students that can be accommodated is limited by faculty availability. Either laboratory or library research may be emphasized, but must be agreed to in advance by the student and faculty sponsor. Results are shared with the faculty and other students during "Science Day" which is held on the Reading Day at the end of the Spring semester.  An Independent Study Contract must be completed and signed prior to initiation of the project and before registration for the course is authorized. This usually means that the contract is developed and signed either during pre-registration or during the add-drop periods.

Independent study is offered on a letter-graded basis only and should not be used as the vehicle for an internship (use 298) or practicum (use 298, 398 or 498Y). As a guide for determining the appropriate number of credits, the total commitment should be estimated and credits allotted at the rate of one credit for every 30-35 hours of effort. Credits may vary from 1 to 6. Normally, 1-2 credits are used for library research investigating a topic of interest in detail and 2-4 credits used for laboratory or other creative learning experience. Independent Study forms are available online or at 309 Stockbridge Hall.  

Some projects a student may wish to undertake could have both practicum and independent study components to it. The student and faculty advisor might consider dividing the project and registering part as an independent study (ANIML SCI 196-596) and part as a practicum (ANIML SCI 298 or 398 or 498Y).

Selection of Independent Study Course Numbers - The following is a suggested guide for the selection of the appropriate Independent Study number:

1. Choose ANIML SCI 196 and 296 at the freshman and sophomore levels for projects that are primarily a technical experience. As examples, they may involve learning a specific set of laboratory techniques in a research field used to address a specific research problem, or perhaps providing some teaching and leadership experience to other students in animal care and management. The care and management experience itself is normally a pass/fail practicum experience using ANIML SCI 298.
2. Choose ANIML SCI 396 at the junior and senior levels for a research independent study that contains an introduction to methods of problem solving. There may be a significant technical component with some opportunity for independent research. Alternatively, being responsible for the teaching of an introductory lab or the development and teaching of an animal related summer camp instructional program would also be excellent projects.
3. Choose ANIML SCI 496 at the junior and senior levels for a research project where the student is expected to become proficient at some technique and spend a significant amount of time on a problem solving activity. This activity may involve research project design and execution or other creative activity. These research projects and creative activities are at an advanced level and develop data or accomplishment that would result in an abstract or poster that could be presented at the Spring university wide research fair held in Boston.
4. Choose ANIML SCI 596 at the advanced senior level for a project where the student would have some technical proficiency and would focus primarily on problem solving or other creative component. This work would be at the level expected in honors research, and like ANIML SCI 496 be of the caliber worthy of presentation at the State sponsored Undergraduate Research Conference held annually in Boston (coordinated on this campus by the Commonwealth College).

Reporting Requirements for Independent Study - Depending on the level of the project or creative experience, the following are minimum requirements. Individual faculty may require additional reports, presentations, or exams in addition to the minimal reporting requirements. The requirements for the independent study should be clearly established when filling out the Independent Study Contract.

Minimal Reporting for Independent Study - Reports may take the form of abstracts, posters, or oral presentations.

1. Freshmen-Seniors enrolled in ANIML SCI 196 and 296 and Sophomores-Juniors enrolled in ANIML SCI 396 submit an abstract of their project (about 500 words). The abstracts are posted during Science Day. Students are expected to attend Science Day.
2. Seniors enrolled in ANIML SCI 396 or 496 present a poster at Science Day outlining the pro