PRE-VETERINARY MEDICINE
Pre-Veterinary Medicine Associate of Science Degree
Program Information
The Los Angeles Pierce College Pre-Veterinary Degree is an academically rigorous program that provides a solid foundation to students interested in applying to veterinary college. Over 200 Los Angeles Pierce College students have been accepted into 22 different veterinary colleges. Students should be aware that some veterinary schools, such as UC Davis, require a four-year degree prior to application while some schools do not. It is incumbent upon the student to research the requirements for each individual veterinary school they want to apply to, and plan their academic coursework accordingly. It is highly recommended to meet with the Pre-vet advisor prior to starting the program and every semester until completion of the degree. Clinical work with licensed veterinarians is required for admission to veterinary school, so that students understand the duties and responsibilities of a practitioner. The average student accepted into graduate veterinary schools complete between 2,000-4,000 hours of animal, veterinary and biomedical experience prior to being admitted. Experience should include work with large and small animals and a variety of species. Agriculture classes at Los Angeles Pierce College with corresponding laboratory sections are appropriate ways to gain experience even though many are not UC transferable for credit. We encourage pre-veterinary students to get involved in the laboratory classes with veterinary technology students.
Transfer Students
Completing the Associate Degree does not necessarily meet the university-admission requirements for transfer. An Associate Degree is not a requirement for transfer to either the CSU or UC campuses. Private and out-of-state colleges and universities have unique transfer requirements. However, if you would like to transfer to a university and earn an associate degree, early educational planning can make this goal achievable. You should meet with a counselor early in your studies to develop an Educational Plan that fulfills both transfer requirements and associate degree requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will:
- Students will demonstrate capabilities in the safe restraint of multiple species of animals; in the taking of TPRs, and the recording of animal observations.
- Students will develop and balance appropriate rations for herbivores (grazing animals), carnivores, and omnivores.
- Students will create and demonstrate the use of behavioral enrichment, environmental enrichment and nutritional enrichment to maximize animal welfare considerations in poultry, sheep, goats, cattle and horses.
- Students will differentiate species and breeds of livestock and poultry as to their nutritional and reproductive needs, basic husbandry requirements, genetics, disease control and prevention, and general management of respective herds and flocks.
- Students will demonstrate a clear understanding in using common SOAP protocol in the assessment, observations, diagnosis, treatment of very common disorders in companion animals, livestock and poultry under the direction of a CA licensed veterinarian.
Major - Required Courses
- ANML SC 120*: Ethical Issues of Using Animals (3 units)
- ANML SC 181A: Fieldwork (1 unit)
- ANML SC 401: Orientation to Veterinary Science (1 unit)
- ANML SC 501: Principles of Animal Science (3 units)
- ANML SC 505**: Animal Nutrition (3 units)
- ANML SC 506: Urban Farm Animal Health Techniques (2 units)
- ANML SC 511: Anatomy and Physiology of Animals (3 units)
- ANML SC 512: Anatomy and Physiology of Animals Laboratory (1 unit)
- BIOLOGY 006: General Biology I (Prerequisite college chemistry with lab) (5 units)
- BIOLOGY 007: General Biology II (5 units)
- CHEM 101: General Chemistry I (5 units)
- CHEM 102: General Chemistry II (5 units)
- CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry for Science Majors I (5 units)
- CHEM 221: Biochemistry for Science Majors (5 units)
- ENGLISH 102: College Reading and Composition II (3 units) or ENGLISH 103: Composition and Critical Thinking (3 units)
- MATH 227: Statistics (4 units)
- MICRO 001: Introductory Microbiology (5 units)
- PHYSICS 006: General Physics I (4 units)
- PHYSICS 007: General Physics II (Prerequisite Trigonometry) (4 units)
- PHYSIOL 001: Introduction to Human Physiology (4 units)
Pre-Veterinary Experiential Training
Select at least one course:
- ANML SC 411: Animal Nursing I Laboratory (1 unit)
- ANML SC 421: Clinical Procedures in Animal Care I Laboratory (1 unit)
- ANML SC 431: Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory (1 unit)
- ANML SC 436: Veterinary Radiography Laboratory (1 unit)
- ANML SC 441: Large Animal Nursing Laboratory (2 units)
- ANML SC 516: Artificial Insemination Laboratory (1 unit)
- ANML SC 521: Beef Production Laboratory (1 unit)
- ANML SC 531: Poultry Production Laboratory (2 units)
- ANML SC 537: Sheep Production Laboratory (1 unit)
- ANML SC 540: Livestock Management Techniques (2 units)
- ANML SC 596A: Agricultural Enterprise Projects (1 unit)
- ANML SC 596B: Agricultural Enterprise Projects (2 units)
- ANML SC 596C: Agricultural Enterprise Projects (3 units)
- ANML SC 596D: Agricultural Enterprise Projects (4 units)
- ANML SC 650: Equine Health and First Aid (2 units)
Major - Total Units (72 units)
General Education - Required courses
Students must complete one of the following General Education Plans:
- LACCD GE LACCD General Education Plan (21 units)
- CSU GE CSU GE Breadth Certification Plan (39 units)
- IGETC Intersegmental GE Transfer Curriculum (34-37 units)
*ANML SC 120 Offered Spring semester of even numbered years only.
**ANML SC 505 Offered Fall semester only.
Note: Some colleges of veterinary medicine may require Chem 211, Chem 212, Eng 102 and Eng 103. See the prerequisite courses for the college of veterinary medicine that you intend to apply to.
Pierce College Veterinary Sciences Club
- Pre-veterinary students are expected to become active in our school's Veterinary Sciences Club.
- The Veterinary Sciences Club will be hosting trips to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine for a tour annually.
- Veterinary Speakers will also be featured during meetings that will explore different facets of veterinary medicine (Equine, Companion Animal, Exotic Animal, Poultry, etc.).
- Club meetings will begin in the Fall Semester from 5:30pm-6:30pm in CFS91126.
- Pierce College Veterinary Sciences Club on Facebook