AVS: Science/Preveterinary

Immerse yourself in the study of animal reproduction, nutrition, growth and health. Learn to identify illnesses in animals and understand courses of treatment.

The science/preveterinary option from the University of Idaho prepares you to become a professional in veterinary health.

Explore animal sciences such as anatomy, nutrition and reproduction, including hands-on sessions in on-campus laboratories and animal centers. Our beef center has more than 50 purebred cows; the dairy center has about 100 milking Holsteins; and the sheep center has over 100 breeding Suffolk ewes.

During your senior year, you will integrate lessons from business and animal science when you evaluate real-world issues. You might determine the efficiency of a cow-calf operation, examine how horses are bred and sold, or develop a plan to market a swine vaccine.

You’ll learn from teachers involved in today’s most pressing issues in animal and veterinary science.

Acquire as much experience working with animals as possible. Complete internships in animal health, and volunteer to care for animals on campus.

Prepare for Success

This major is a good fit if you can see yourself:

• Combining your interests in science, medicine and animals.
• Studying health, nutrition and reproduction in livestock and companion animals.
• Taking the fast track to a doctor’s degree in veterinary medicine.

• Participate in 4-H activities, work for a farm or ranch, or volunteer with animals.
• Practice your leadership skills in student office.
• Pay attention to current issues in the news related to animals.

Your First Year

Your first year, you will hone your communication skills with course work in writing. You will also take the science of animal husbandry, an animal husbandry lab, an orientation to animal and veterinary science, and cellular biology.

More advanced major courses will cover topics such as organic chemistry, microbiology, genetics, physiology of reproduction and animal nutrition.

See the four-year plan.

What You Can Do

With a degree in veterinary medicine (DVM), you may become a:

• Veterinarian: Treat companion animals, farm livestock, horses and other animals. Open your own practice or join an existing practice. You might specialize in surgery or offer advanced care such as insulin injections, hip replacement, cataract extraction or pacemaker insertion.
• Food industry veterinarian: Help ensure the quality, quantity and security of food supplies by maintaining the health of livestock and inspecting meat.

If you choose not to pursue a DVM degree, you may have positions like these:

• Veterinary technician: Assist veterinarians in many medical procedures.
• Research support scientist: Prepare experiments and collect and analyze data.
• Animal keeper: Monitor the health and well-being of animals used for research.
• Sales representative: Work for a pharmaceutical company selling vaccines and other supplies.

Opportunities

With a degree in veterinary medicine (DVM), starting salaries are as high as $60,000. Without a DVM, you will find starting salaries as high as $40,000. Almost all of our graduates receive job offers upon graduation.

You may also want to continue your education in a related field. Pursue an advanced degree in disciplines such as genetics and breeding, nutrition, reproductive physiology or growth physiology.

Current Research

Our faculty members conduct research concurrently with teaching, exploring such topics such as reproduction, growth and lactation physiology.

On-campus research opportunities are plentiful. Track the health status of newborn dairy calves by monitoring blood and fecal samples. Participate in lactation research in an agricultural biotechnology lab. Collect data on the respiratory diseases of bighorn sheep. Care for animals at the beef, dairy and sheep centers. Paid positions are available.

Activities

Prevet Club: Visit humane societies, clinics, horse rescue centers and the Wolf Research Center. Receive guidance on getting into veterinary schools.
Dairy Club, Student Idaho Cattle Association, Block and Bridle: Visit farms, ranches and food processing plants. Show livestock and learn from industry experts.

Hands-On Experience

Intern. Strengthen your credentials for veterinary school with practical experiences like these:

• University of Idaho Caine Veterinary Teaching Center: Gain experience in multiple areas of food animal medicine and surgery.
• University of Idaho Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension And Education Center: Collect data to assess the health and well-being of 400 crossbred mother cows
• Veterinary clinic: Shadow medical staff and help with intake and diagnosis.

Study abroad. Deepen your understanding of your major —and the world—in countries like these:

• Mexico: Tour a family owned ranch.
• Taiwan: Explore livestock care in another country.
• Australia: Visit a country that prizes its cattle and sheep herds.

Facilities

Facilities you will have access to include:

• Beef center with purebred cows
• Dairy center with milking Holsteins
• Sheep center with breeding Suffolk ewes
• Reproductive physiology labs
• Agriculture-biotech labs