VET - Veterinary Courses
VET 101 - Introduction to Veterinary Technology
3 credits/3 contact hours
The course will examine the role of the veterinary technician in the workplace. Students will do an analysis of employment opportunities and areas of specialization as well as related concepts in ethics, professionalism and laws and regulations governing veterinary technicians. Students will get an introductory view of animal handling and husbandry concepts, veterinary clinic management topics and an introduction to veterinary clinical laboratory procedures, animal nutrition and breeding. Students will be expected to complete a four hour job shadow experience at a veterinary clinic of their choice.
VET 110 Animal Nutrition
2 credits/2 contact hours
This course will cover aspects of nutrition for large and small animals. The digestive process will be studied as well as the utilization of nutrients by animals. The importance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fiber and other forms of energy will be covered. Students will study how feed rations are calculated and practiced for large and small animals diets. These concepts will be applied to both animal management and veterinary care environments covering the Essential Skills required by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities for Veterinary Technician students.
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MAT 098 or appropriate Mathematics Placement Exam score
VET 120 - Veterinary Pharmacology
3 credits/3 contact hours
This course will examine the fundamentals of pharmacology as it relates to the veterinary technician. This class looks at the effects of different drugs on the animal body and their uses for combating various ailments. Future veterinary technicians and technologists learn about drug recognition, labeling and packaging, calculating and measuring appropriate dosages for each animal, and administering, storing and inventorying pharmaceuticals. Students will also study normal and abnormal responses to therapeutic agents. This course may involve field work. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in Math 122, BIO 124/125 and VET 101. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program.
VET 125 - Clinical Methods I
4 credits/3 contact hours
This course is an introduction to clinical skills, laboratory equipment and veterinary nursing procedures. Part or all of this course will meet at an off campus location. Topics include the care and handling of small animals, animal restraint, physical examinations, specimen collection, medication administration and other clinical nursing skills. Laboratory procedures include urinalysis, parasitology and cytology as well as any other topics related to essential AVMA skills assigned as course content. Students will practice skills using models and live animals where appropriate. This course must be taken concurrently with VET 126.
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in Math 122, BIO 124/125 and VET 101, as well as permission from Department Chair or designee. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program.
VET 126 - Clinical Methods I Laboratory
0 credits/3 contact hours
Laboratory exercises in this course will relate to the topics covered in VET 125 Clinical Methods I. Part or all of this course will meet at off campus locations and students must provide their own transportation. Using models and live animals where appropriate, students will gain experience in animal handling, basic veterinary nursing and laboratory skills in preparation for their first practicum experience. This course must be taken concurrently with VET 125.
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in Math 122, BIO 124/125 and VET 101, as well as permission from Department Chair or designee. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program.
VET 190 - Veterinary Practicum I
3 credits/3 contact hours
This course provides the veterinary technology student the opportunity to put into practice concepts and techniques learned in program courses as required by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technology Education and Activities. Students must meet the Essential Functions for Veterinary Technicians as defined by the AVMA. Students will be responsible for locating a veterinary practice willing to host the 135 hour practical experience. This Practicum cannot be completed at a current place of employment and students cannot receive compensation for time spent in the Practicum. The student will be required to engage in the collaborative process of negotiating the memorandum of understanding regarding their accountability during the time spent at the practice as it relates to professional behavior and responsibilities. The course instructor will supervise students to witness proficiency in any outstanding essential skills and to facilitate discussions with all students to compare and contrast techniques and learning experiences.
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in Math 122 and a 3.0 average in all program courses including VET 101, VET 110, BIO 124/125, VET 120, VET 125/126 and BIO 134/135. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program and requires permission of the Program Director.
VET 215 - Laboratory Animal Medicine
2 credits/3 contact hours
This course focuses on laboratory and exotic animal husbandry, handling, restraint, and specific problems encountered with laboratory and exotic animals. The student will learn proper feeding and common management practices, including sanitation and disease prevention, in a clinical or zoological setting. The student will also review common diseases of laboratory and exotic animals. This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills required for veterinary technicians Students will get an introductory view of animal handling and husbandry concepts, veterinary clinic management topics and an introduction to veterinary clinical laboratory procedures, animal nutrition and breeding. Students will be expected to complete a four hour job shadow experience at a veterinary clinic of their choice and will require field work.
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in Math 122, VET 101, VET 110, BIO 134/135 and VET 125/126. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program.
VET 220 Large Animal Management
3 credits/2 contact hours
The handling, care and restraint of large animals will be taught in this course. Part or all of this course will meet at an off campus location. Preventative medicine, common medical and surgical procedures, nutritional requirements, veterinary nursing skills, safety and humane issues will be covered as well as any other topics related to essential American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) skills assigned to this course. This course must be taken concurrently with VET 221.
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in VET 101, VET 110, VET 125/126, BIO 134/135. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program.
VET 221 Large Animal Management Laboratory
0 credits/2 contact hours
This laboratory provides experience with the concepts and principles covered in VET 220. Part or all of this course will meet at an off-campus location. The laboratory sessions will take place at local farms. This course must be taken concurrently with VET 220.
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in VET 101, VET 110, VET 125/126, BIO 134/135. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program.
VET 224 Clinical Methods II
4 credits/3 contact hours
The student will study surgical nursing and anesthesiology in this course. They will learn the administering and monitoring of anesthesia, surgical assisting, record keeping and preparation/maintenance of the surgery room and instruments as well as any other topics related to essential American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) skills assigned to this course. Part or all of this course will meet at an off campus location. Technician utilization and team concepts of health care delivery will be covered. This course must be taken concurrently with VET 225.
Prerequisites: VET 190. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program.
VET 225 Clinical Methods II Laboratory
0 credits/3 contact hours
Laboratory exercises will relate to the topics covered in VET 225 Veterinary Clinical Methods II. Students will gain advanced animal handling and laboratory skills in order to prepare for final practicum experience. Part or all of this course will meet at an off-campus location. This course must be taken concurrently with VET 224. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program.
Prerequisite: VET 190
VET 226 Veterinary Imaging and Dental
3 credits/3 contact hours
This course will provide the student with the principles and practice of veterinary medical radiology, handling animals for a radiologic exam, radiographic exposure and developing techniques as well as any other topics related to essential American Veterinary Medical Association skills assigned to this course. Part or all of this course will meet at an off-campus location. The use of ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in veterinary medicine will be introduced. Dental care of dogs and cats will be covered including dental charting, prophylactic dental care and dental disease. Labs will allow the student to perform anesthesia and dental prophylaxis in the clinical setting.
Prerequisites: VET 190. VET 224 must either be completed or taken concurrently. This course is only available to students in the Veterinary Technology program.
VET 230 Veterinary Clinical Pathology
4 credits/3 contact hours
Students will study laboratory techniques and procedures used in evaluating veterinary clinical samples. This will include hematology, urinalysis, parasitology, cytology, serology, microbiology, blood coagulation, blood biochemistry, and immunologic tests as well as any other topics related to essential American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) skills assigned to this course. The veterinary technician’s role in sample collection, sample storage and handling and performance of analytic procedures will be emphasized. Skills are developed in the use of laboratory equipment, laboratory safety and quality control. Part or all of this course will meet at an off-campus location. This course must be taken concurrently with VET 231.
Prerequisite: VET 190
VET 231 Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory
0 credits/2 contact hours
Laboratory exercises will relate to the topics covered in VET 230 Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Students will gain experience in handling and evaluating veterinary clinical samples, testing kits and equipment. Part or all of this course will meet at an off-campus location. This course must be taken concurrently with VET 230.
Prerequisite: VET 190
VET 240 Animal Medicine
3 credits/3 contact hours
Diseases of large and small animals will be presented and will include infectious and noninfectious 2017/2018 Catalog | 171 diseases. Transmission, clinical signs, treatment and prevention will be covered as well as any other topics related to essential American Veterinary Medical Association skills assigned to this course. Students will be expected to develop an understanding of disease control and effective client education communication techniques.
Prerequisites: VET 190
VET 290 Veterinary Practicum II
4 Credits/Contact hours 165 - 185 required
This course provides the veterinary technology student the opportunity to put into practice concepts and techniques learned in program courses as required by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technology Education and Activities. Students must meet the Essential Functions for Veterinary Technicians as defined by the AVMA. This is a continuation of the applied practicum experience. Students are required to complete a maximum of 185 hours at a clinical site with up to 20 hours reduced if the student has completed essential skills prior to start of practicum. Under the supervision of veterinarians, the student will increase skill level and confidence as a veterinary technician and complete the remaining essential skills required by the AVMA in order for the successful student to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam.
Prerequisites: Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in program courses and no grade lower than a C in VET 190, VET 215, VET 220/221, VET 224/225 and VET 230/231 as well as permission of the Department Chair or designee. VET 226 and VET 240 must be completed or taken concurrently.