Veterinary Sciences
Overview
Veterinary sciences programs focus on ways to prevent and treat animal diseases.Veterinary sciences programs teach people how diseases begin, develop, and transfer to other animals. Students learn how to research the causes of animal diseases.
Veterinary sciences programs include topics such as:
- Statistics
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
- Physiology
- Infectious diseases
- Pharmacology
Concentrations
In veterinary science programs, students may be able to specialize in:
- Small animal surgery and medicine
- Veterinary preventative medicine epidemiology and public health
- Veterinary infectious diseases
- Large animal and equine surgery and medicine
- Veterinary toxicology and pharmacology
- Veterinarian pathology and pathobiology
- Veterinarian physiology
- Veterinarian microbiology and immunology
- Veterinary anatomy
Schools
Several universities offer graduate degrees in veterinary science. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require three or more years or study beyond the master’s degree.
In addition, some schools offer graduate certificate programs in veterinary sciences. These are usually for people who already have their DVM (veterinary medicine degree) or a graduate degree in a related field.
See schools that offer this program.
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Undergraduate degree or significant course work in biology, chemistry, or mathematics
- Undergraduate course work in physics and statistics
Typical Course Work
Graduate Program Courses
This graduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Statistics
- Toxicology
In addition, graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree in veterinary sciences typically include:
- Laboratory research projects
- Thesis (master's degree)
- Preliminary exams (master's and doctoral degrees)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree
Things to Know
Some programs combine DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) programs with graduate study in veterinary sciences.
Schools
East Side Area
Washington State University - Pullman
- Veterinary Science
King-Snohomish Area
University of Washington - Seattle
- Comparative Medicine