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  • Title

    Students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree should major in Biology. Students should review the admissions requirements for the veterinary schools of their choice. We recommend that students complete the following courses (in addition to major requirements) for preparation for admission and success in veterinary school:

    During summers, students should consider internships or volunteer experiences at local veterinary hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience. Most students take the GRE exam (or MCAT for some schools) in April of their junior year and begin to apply to veterinary schools during the summer following their junior year. Early application using the VMCAS application service is strongly recommended.

    Courses Offered
    • BIOL3120Internship in Biological Sciences
      BIOL3120 Internship in Biological Sciences - 1-3 s.h.

      Developed in conjunction with and approved by an appropriate faculty member in the Biological Sciences. This internship will be with professionals who are in career areas relating to majors in the department and may be pursued abroad. The student is responsible for arranging their internship. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 semester hours. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.) Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent.

    • BIOL3310Molecular Genetics with Lab
      BIOL3310 Molecular Genetics with Lab - 4 s.h.

      A study of cellular processes involved in the Central Dogma: DNA replication, transcription and translation. The study will include how gene expression is regulated at various levels, such as at the transcription level and post-translational level. Lastly students will study and perform different molecular genetic techniques used in laboratories today: pipetting, DNA gel electrophoresis, PCR and DNA cloning. Additional fee required. Prerequisite: BIOL2100 (C or better strongly recommended). +This course is only offered every other year.

    • BIOL3420Human Anatomy with Lab
      BIOL3420 Human Anatomy with Lab - 4 s.h.

      A study of gross human anatomy utilizing charts, three dimensional models, computer simulations, and dissection of mammalian animals. The course will discuss regional and surface anatomy to establish the relationships of the various organ systems of the body. Additional fee required. Prerequisites: BIOL2100 or PHED1500.

    • BIOL3440Human Physiology with Lab
      BIOL3440 Human Physiology with Lab - 4 s.h.

      A systems oriented study of the function of the human body on the cellular, tissue, organ, and organ-system levels with an emphasis on medical physiology. Laboratory includes computer simulations and use of Biopac equipment. Additional fee required. Prerequisites: BIOL3420 (grade of C or better strongly recommended) and one semester of chemistry or BIOL2100.

    • BIOL4310Biochemistry with Lab (also CHEM4310)
      BIOL4310 Biochemistry with Lab (also CHEM4310) - 4 s.h.

      An introduction to biologically important molecules and metabolic pathways and the laboratory techniques used to study and characterize them. Additional fee required. Prerequisite: CHEM3420/3421 and BIOL2100. +This course is only offered every other year.

    • BIOL4400Immunology
      BIOL4400 Immunology - 3 s.h.

      Investigation of the innate and adaptive immune system, including inflammation, B and T cell development and function, immunization and its role in human health. Prerequisites: BIOL2100 and BIOL2360 (grade of C or better strongly recommended). +This course is only offered every other year.

    • BIOL4460Cell and Cancer Biology
      BIOL4460 Cell and Cancer Biology - 3 s.h.

      Students will investigate the cellular mechanisms of cancer and then will learn about a few specific cancers. Includes an in-depth study of the multistage model of carcinogenesis, genes involved in cancer, activation of cancer genes, signal transduction pathways that promote carcinogenesis, the mechanism of metastasis, apoptosis, how cancer treatments work, and the new potential cancer treatments. Prerequisite: BIOL2100 (grade of C or better strongly recommended). +This course is only offered every other year.

    • HLTH2560Nutrition
      HLTH2560 Nutrition - 3 s.h.

      A study the principles of nutrition as it relates to health, exercise, sports and disease. Students will be presented with applied content that includes research-based guidelines meant to help students differentiate between nutrition recommendations that are backed by science and the overabundance of false and misleading information.

    • MATH1510Calculus I
      MATH1510 Calculus I - 4 s.h.

      Limits, continuity, differentiation, and applications including exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and inverse functions. Mean value theorem, curve sketching, Riemann sums, and the fundamental theorem of calculus. Prerequisite: 2 years high school algebra. ELO6 Math, GE2B Foundational Skills-Mathematics/Quantitative.

    BIOL3120Internship in Biological Sciences BIOL3310Molecular Genetics with Lab BIOL3420Human Anatomy with Lab BIOL3440Human Physiology with Lab BIOL4310Biochemistry with Lab (also CHEM4310) BIOL4400Immunology BIOL4460Cell and Cancer Biology HLTH2560Nutrition MATH1510Calculus I
    Course Descriptions
    BIOL3120 Internship in Biological Sciences - 1-3 s.h.

    Developed in conjunction with and approved by an appropriate faculty member in the Biological Sciences. This internship will be with professionals who are in career areas relating to majors in the department and may be pursued abroad. The student is responsible for arranging their internship. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 semester hours. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.) Prerequisite: Instructor’s consent.

    BIOL3310 Molecular Genetics with Lab - 4 s.h.

    A study of cellular processes involved in the Central Dogma: DNA replication, transcription and translation. The study will include how gene expression is regulated at various levels, such as at the transcription level and post-translational level. Lastly students will study and perform different molecular genetic techniques used in laboratories today: pipetting, DNA gel electrophoresis, PCR and DNA cloning. Additional fee required. Prerequisite: BIOL2100 (C or better strongly recommended). +This course is only offered every other year.

    BIOL3420 Human Anatomy with Lab - 4 s.h.

    A study of gross human anatomy utilizing charts, three dimensional models, computer simulations, and dissection of mammalian animals. The course will discuss regional and surface anatomy to establish the relationships of the various organ systems of the body. Additional fee required. Prerequisites: BIOL2100 or PHED1500.

    BIOL3440 Human Physiology with Lab - 4 s.h.

    A systems oriented study of the function of the human body on the cellular, tissue, organ, and organ-system levels with an emphasis on medical physiology. Laboratory includes computer simulations and use of Biopac equipment. Additional fee required. Prerequisites: BIOL3420 (grade of C or better strongly recommended) and one semester of chemistry or BIOL2100.

    BIOL4310 Biochemistry with Lab (also CHEM4310) - 4 s.h.

    An introduction to biologically important molecules and metabolic pathways and the laboratory techniques used to study and characterize them. Additional fee required. Prerequisite: CHEM3420/3421 and BIOL2100. +This course is only offered every other year.

    BIOL4400 Immunology - 3 s.h.

    Investigation of the innate and adaptive immune system, including inflammation, B and T cell development and function, immunization and its role in human health. Prerequisites: BIOL2100 and BIOL2360 (grade of C or better strongly recommended). +This course is only offered every other year.

    BIOL4460 Cell and Cancer Biology - 3 s.h.

    Students will investigate the cellular mechanisms of cancer and then will learn about a few specific cancers. Includes an in-depth study of the multistage model of carcinogenesis, genes involved in cancer, activation of cancer genes, signal transduction pathways that promote carcinogenesis, the mechanism of metastasis, apoptosis, how cancer treatments work, and the new potential cancer treatments. Prerequisite: BIOL2100 (grade of C or better strongly recommended). +This course is only offered every other year.

    HLTH2560 Nutrition - 3 s.h.

    A study the principles of nutrition as it relates to health, exercise, sports and disease. Students will be presented with applied content that includes research-based guidelines meant to help students differentiate between nutrition recommendations that are backed by science and the overabundance of false and misleading information.

    MATH1510 Calculus I - 4 s.h.

    Limits, continuity, differentiation, and applications including exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and inverse functions. Mean value theorem, curve sketching, Riemann sums, and the fundamental theorem of calculus. Prerequisite: 2 years high school algebra. ELO6 Math, GE2B Foundational Skills-Mathematics/Quantitative.