OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120
Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0
Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: C- or higher is required for all AVS courses.
Other GPA requirements to graduate: None.
Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: AVS 401 and AVS 402
Contact Information: Jim Weber, AVS Program Coordinator, 130B Hitchner Hall, (207) 581-2774; jawber@maine.edu
The School of Food and Agriculture offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences. The animal sciences curriculum is designed to provide a solid understanding of biological sciences along with specific expertise in the diseases, breeding, nutrition, and physiology of domestic and laboratory animals. Because a basic knowledge in animal sciences is fundamental to successful work in many job situations, the curriculum offers a wide choice of electives so students may adapt their course of study to meet special professional interests or needs. Through the proper use of options, students can prepare for admission to a college of veterinary medicine or graduate school, to teach science in secondary schools, to pursue technical sales and service work in agriculture, for careers in animal-related research, or to develop animal production enterprises such as dairy, livestock or equine farms.
Program Overview
The degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences is recommended for students who wish to pursue careers in animal agriculture, including the dairy, livestock, or equine industries or the other aspects of animal-related research. Students may also consider continuing their studies at the graduate level after the completion of an undergraduate degree. The school offers the Master of Science degree in Animal Science for programs of study in animal nutrition, pathology, and reproductive physiology. The Doctor of Philosophy degree may be earned in Food and Nutritional Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, or through the Individualized PhD Program.
Equine Science Concentration
This degree includes an undergraduate concentration in Equine Science, which is recommended for careers in a variety of equine-related disciplines, including equine nutrition, equine policy, breeding/boarding farm management, training horses for performance/racing events, and in preparation for graduate studies in Equine Science.
Pre-Veterinary Science Concentration
This degree includes an undergraduate concentration in Pre-Veterinary Science, which is recommended for superior students who seek admission to veterinary college. Obtaining admission to U.S. Colleges of Veterinary Medicine is a competitive process, and minimum GPA’s of 3.2 overall and 3.5 in science and math courses are generally needed to be considered for admission to most DVM programs. Completing coursework at the University of Maine does not guarantee acceptance in any Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program. The suggested courses beyond the basic degree requirements in Animal and Veterinary Sciences are those that are required or recommended for admission to Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in North America. To declare the Pre-Veterinary Science concentration, the student is required to have earned grades of C- or better in BIO 100 and CHY 121, courses which are prerequisites for many of the upper level courses required by colleges of veterinary medicine.
Hands-on Experience
An important aspect of the degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AVS) is the requirement for hands-on experience with economically important domestic species. At the University’s Witter Teaching and Research Farm, AVS majors are given numerous opportunities to increase their competency with, and eventually manage, dairy cattle, and Standardbred horses. We consider the experiential learning at the Witter Center to be a vital part of our students’ education, because it allows them to use their knowledge to solve practical problems on a working farm.
BS in Animal and Veterinary Sciences (120 credits)
Required Animal and Veterinary Science Courses (35 credits)
Student-selected AVS Courses (13 credits)
Science and Mathematics Courses (28 credits)
Economic Course (3 credits)
English/Communication Courses (9 credits)
Human Values and Social Context Courses (9 credits)
Ethics Course (3 credits)
NFA 117 - Issues and Opportunities (1 credit)
General Elective Courses (19 credits)
BS in Animal and Veterinary Sciences with Equine Science concentration (120 credits)
Required Animal and Veterinary Science Courses (55 credits)
Student-selected AVS Courses (6 credits)
Science and Mathematics Courses (28 credits)
Business Course (3 credits)
Economic Course (3 credits)
English/Communication Courses (9 credits)
Human Values and Social Context Courses (9 credits)
Ethics Course (3 credits)
NFA 117 - Issues and Opportunities (1 credit)
General Elective Courses (3 credits)
BS in Animal and Veterinary Sciences with Pre-Veterinary Science concentration (120 credits)
Required Animal and Veterinary Science Courses (33 credits)
Student-selected AVS (3 credits)
Science and Mathematics Courses, including Vet School requirements (56 credits)
Economic Course (3 credits)
English/Communication Courses (9 credits)
Human Values and Social Context Courses (9 credits)
Ethics Course (3 credits)
NFA 117 - Issues and Opportunities (1 credit)
General Elective Courses (3 credits)
The University of Maine The University of Maine
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