This undergraduate handbook has been prepared to introduce prospective students to the majors 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 and the requirements of our specific majors. Our program includes a combination of courses that meet general education requirements, writing, and basic physical and biological sciences. The curriculum in the pre-veterinary major meets the requirements of veterinary colleges, medical colleges, and graduate schools (for DVM, master's, and PhD programs). The curriculum in the animal science major offers a variety of specialized courses that prepare students for careers in the biotechnology, health sciences, and livestock industries and broadens the educational experience of students.
Because individuals have special interests, the departmental faculty encourages students to interact with the faculty to develop a program of study that meets their career objectives. This interaction is an ongoing process in addition to the formal meetings between faculty members and advisees that are required in both the Fall and Spring semesters for registration of courses for the next semester. We offer a curriculum that combines basic science and experience in handling multiple animal species, ranging from small animals to large domesticated livestock, beginning from the student’s first day on campus. The curriculum is designed to prepare our students for success in careers in healthcare, biotechnology, agriculture, and other animal-related businesses and to give them a firm grounding on the critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills needed to adapt to change in the workplace.
Student learning objectives
Animal science and pre-veterinary science majors
- Learning objective one: cellular and animal biology: Students will identify and define the role of the molecules that build cells, the foundations of cellular organization and communication, and the cellular assemblies that create the organs adapted to perform highly defined and required functions.
- Learning objective two: cellular and animal anatomy and physiology: Students will recognize the anatomy of a variety of species including limbs and organs and the function of these organs that is required to establish and maintain homeostasis of living animals. Students will learn and perform basic reactions catalyzed by enzymes that make possible cellular function and homeostasis.
- Learning objective three: animal husbandry: Students will identify different animal species, strains, and breeds, the physiological and behavioral requirements for these species to thrive as well as how to feed them including formulation of rations, and how to breed and manage them to ensure their well-being and productivity. Students will gain knowledge of the principles of immunization and will practice immunization along with other routine mgmt. procedures. Students will perform physical exams of a variety of species.
- Learning objective four: laboratory techniques and biotechnology: Besides learning the basis of laboratory techniques used in clinics and common microbiological and biotechnology procedures, students will run these procedures and clinical tests.
- Learning objective five: scientific awareness: Students will receive broad training in basic biological and physical sciences including upper-level coursework in genetics, immunology, reproduction, and nutrition providing an emphasis on health-related technologies.
- Learning objective six: analytical skills: Students will acquire basic knowledge in mathematics and statistics. Students will design trials to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of treatment and procedures. Students will catalog and analyze information.
- Learning objective seven: critical and ethical thinking/problem solving: In addition to standard knowledge (fact-based), students are expected to develop abilities to gather information needed to address broad questions. Students will learn the ethical use of animals for research and production.
- Learning objective eight: communication: Students will write a cover letter such as those required for a job application or for applying to professional schools, will prepare a professional CV, write a lab report; summarize the main points of a manuscript, and prepare a professional presentation either from data in the literature or from their own collected information.