Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Pre‑Veterinary (B.S.)
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
For students who have a strong interest in veterinary medicine, The Department of Agriculture offers a program of study that will provide an abundance of hands-on experience with both large and small animals while fulfilling admission requirements of veterinary schools.
Students in the Pre-Veterinary concentration of Animal and Veterinary Sciences will work directly with a knowledgeable faculty advisor throughout their academic career and the application process. Although Kentucky does not have a veterinary school, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine have seats specifically designated for Kentucky residents.
Admission to Auburn or Tuskegee Colleges of Veterinary Medicine Kentucky is a member of the Southern Regional Educational Board Plan under which legal Kentucky residents attend Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine or Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. The program is funded by an appropriation of the General Assembly to the Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education. A limited number of students who have completed pre-veterinary requirements are selected on a competitive basis by Auburn or Tuskegee each year and are exempt from out-of-state tuition. Both veterinary colleges have similar entrance requirements, including a GRE examination.
Students should have a grade point average of 3.4 to be competitive. Students need to pass all pre-veterinary required courses with a grade of “C” or better. Courses in organic chemistry and physics must have been completed within six years of entry into the college of veterinary medicine. Students applying to Auburn or Tuskegee use the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). Application deadlines for both are September 15. Students are expected to gain veterinary experience by working directly with a D.V.M.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 01.0301
Summary Checklist for General Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Element 1 | ||
| A: Written Communication | 3 | |
| B: Written Communication | 3 | |
| C: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Element 2 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Element 3 | ||
| A: Arts | 3 | |
| B: Humanities | 3 | |
| Element 4 | ||
| Natural Sciences | 6 | |
| Element 5 | ||
| A: Historical Science | 3 | |
| B: Social Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Element 6 | ||
| Diversity of Perspectives Experiences | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Students are expected to complete Elements 1 and 2 within their first 60 hours of college credit.
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Student Success Seminar | ||
| SCO 100 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| Upper division courses (42 hrs. distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| AGR 125 | Principles of Animal Science | 3 |
| AGR 126 | Animal Science Laboratory | 1 |
| AGR 304 | Pest Management | 4 |
| AGR 305 | Professional Skills Seminar | 1 |
| AGR 308 | Agricultural Economics | 3 |
| AGR 321 | Feeds and Feeding | 4 |
| AGR 411 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
| AGR 499 | Agricultural Advocacy and Issues Capstone | 3 |
| or AGR 509 | Agriculture Research Methods and Interpretation | |
| Choose from three hours of the following: | 3 | |
| Directed Work Experience | ||
| Directed Work Experience- Management Practicum | ||
| Applied Learning in Agriculture | ||
| Choose from one of the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Agribusiness Management | ||
| Agricultural Marketing | ||
| Agricultural Financing | ||
| Choose from two of the following production classes: | 6-8 | |
| Companion Animal Management | ||
| Light Horse Production and Management | ||
| Beef Production | ||
| Swine Production | ||
| Small Ruminant Production | ||
| Poultry Production and Management | ||
| Technical Management of Dairy Cattle | ||
| Concentrations | ||
| Students must select one of the following Concentrations: | ||
| Pre-Veterinary | 30-33 | |
Animal Science | ||
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| All Concentrations: | ||
| Cell and Molecular Biology (Element 4) G | ||
| BIO 112 | Ecology and Evolution | 4 |
| General Chemistry and General Chemistry Lab I (Element 4) G | ||
| CHE 112 & 112L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| CHE 361 & 361L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Lab I | 4 |
| Economic Reasoning and Issues (Element 5B) G | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from 4-9 Free Electives | 4-9 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- G
Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the 36 hr. General Education requirement above.
Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| AGR 421 | Animal Nutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| Choose from three animal science courses of the following: | 9 | |
| Ecology and Management of Grasslands and Pastures | ||
| Topics and Laboratories in Animal Sciences | ||
| Animal Diseases | ||
| Genetics of Livestock Improvement | ||
| Reproduction and Artificial Insemination of Domestic Animals | ||
| Domestic Animal Anatomy | ||
| Livestock Behavior and Welfare | ||
| Supporting Course Requirements 1 | ||
| Choose from one of the following: G | ||
| Trigonometry (Element 2) G | ||
| Precalculus Mathematics (Element 2) G | ||
| Applied Calculus (Element 2) G | ||
| Calculus I (Element 2) G | ||
| BIO 331 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| CHE 362 & 362L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Lab II | 4 |
| PHY 131 | College Physics I | 5 |
| Choose from two of the following science electives: | 6-9 | |
| Genetics of Livestock Improvement | ||
or BIO 315 | Genetics | |
| Principles of Microbiology | ||
| Vertebrate Physiology | ||
| Histology | ||
| Biochemistry of Macromolecules | ||
or PHY 132 | College Physics II | |
| Total Hours | 30-33 | |
- G
Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the 36 hr. General Education requirement above.
- 1
Courses listed will meet requirements for Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine for students with a Baccalaureate degree prior to starting veterinary school.