Program Overview

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Animal Health and Science

Prepare for a Career Giving Animals The Best Care Possible

The Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Science gives students opportunities to work with and on the behalf of animals in a predominantly medical/pre-veterinarian setting. While students will learn introduction-level health and care, the focus is on gaining a breadth of knowledge in natural sciences to prepare students for medical and conservation sciences.

Two pathways are offered for the Animal Health and Science program: a Pre-Veterinary Pathway and a Wildlife Conservation Pathway.

Learn More About This Program

The Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Science (AHS) is a robust science-based interdisciplinary program that prepares students for 1) successful careers within animal care, science and medical fields, 3) graduate school in animal science-based programs, and 3) acceptance into veterinary school. Students pursuing careers in the diverse discipline of animal health and science may choose different individualized pathways to foster their particular interests. These pathways provide students with skills and content knowledge utilized in animal science careers such as companion animal clinics, medical laboratories, zoos, food services, and wildlife medicine and management, but will also prepare students for graduate or veterinary school.

Required Core Courses

All students seeking a degree in animal health are required to complete the following core courses in Animal Health (30 credits):

• AH 101: Introduction to Animal Health and Welfare (3 credits)
• AVS 211: Animal Anatomy & Physiology (3 credits)
• AH 291: Animal Health Literacy Seminar (3 credits)
• AH 301: Ethical Treatment of Animals & Their Environment (3 credits)
• AVS 311: Animal Nutrition (3 credits)
• AH 350: Internship in Animal Health (3 credits)
• AH 390: Careers in Animal Health Seminar (3 credits)
• AVS 411: One Health Approach (3 credits)
• AVS 450: Animal Health Clinical Experience (3 credits)
• AVS 330: Social Behavior of Animals (3 credits)

Pathway Course Requirements

In addition to the core courses, students must choose one of the following pathways for their degree:

• Pre-Veterinary Pathway
• Wildlife Conservation Pathway

Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Requirement

Students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Science are required to successfully complete courses to promote equality, embrace diversity, and foster a more inclusive society. Students may choose 1 course below for a total of 3 credits:

• AAG 101: African American/Global Black Studies (3 credits)
• ENG 287: African American Literature (3 credits)
• ENG 351: African American Women Writers (3 credits)
• ENG 403: Africana Studies (3 credits)
• GLS 101: Introduction to Global Studies (3 credits)
• GWST 301: Theories of Gender (3 credits)
• GWST 320: Interdisciplinary Seminar in Gender and Women’s Studies (3 credits)
• GWST 322: History of Gender in Advertising (3 credits)
• GWST 329: Gender and Women’s Literature (3 credits)
• GWST 425: Psychology, Gender and Culture (3 credits)
• REL 202: Navigating Religious Diversity (3 credits)
• REL 332: Christianity and the African-American Experience (3 credits)
• SOC 312: Social Class and Inequality (3 credits)
• SOC 315: Gender Issues (3 credits)
• SPAN 300: Making Sense: Exploring the World Through Spanish (3 credits)
• SPAN 311: Spanish Civilization and Culture (3 credits)
• SPAN 312: Latin American Civilization and Culture (3 credits)

Pre-Veterinary Pathway Courses

Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Health and Science with a Pre-Veterinary School Pathway are required to complete the following courses (38 credits):

• Biology (two-semester sequence of general biology with laboratories is required)
  • BIO 121: General Biology I (4 credits)
  • BIO 122: General Biology II (4 credits)
• General Chemistry (two-semester sequence with laboratories in general chemistry is required prior to organic chemistry or biochemistry)
  • CHEM 121: General Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 122: General Chemistry II (4 credits)
• Upper Division Chemistry (two semesters of upper division chemistry courses with laboratories)
  • CHEM 301: Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 302: Organic Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHEM 331: Biochemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 302: Biochemistry II (4 credits)
• Math (two-semesters requirement can be met by courses in algebra, pre-calculus, statistics or calculus)
  • MATH 101: College Algebra (3 credits)
  • MATH 102: Precalculus (3 credits)
  • MATH 201: Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4 credits)
  • MATH 202: Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (4 credits)
  • MATH 207: Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)
  • MATH 208: Applied Statistics Concepts and Methods (3 credits)
  • MATH 102: Precalculus (3 credits)
  • MATH 212: Applications of Calculus in the Health Professions (2 credits)
• Physics (two-semester sequence with laboratories in general physics or introductory physics)
  • PHYS 111: College Physics I (4 credits)
  • PHYS 112: College Physics II (4 credits)
  • PHYS 121: General Physics I (4 credits)
  • PHYS 122: General Physics II (4 credits)

Wildlife Conservation Pathway Courses

Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Health and Science with a Wildlife Conservation Pathway are required to complete the following courses (32 credits):

• BIO 121: General Biology I (4 credits)
• BIO 122: General Biology II (4 credits)
• BIO 321: Ecology (4 credits)
• BIO 325: Animal Behavior (4 credits)
• CJ 344: Environmental and Wildlife Crime (3 credits)
• ES 295: Wildlife Ecology and Habitat Management (3 credits)
• ES 300: Geographic Information Systems and Mapping (4 credits)
• ES 452: Applied Conservation Ecology (3 credits)
• WR 350: Professional & Technical Writing (3 credits)

Complementary Programs

Students interested in this program should also look into these other majors and minors:

• Animal Health and Welfare (B.A.)
• Conservation Science and Management
• Environmental Studies
• Environmental And Sustainability Studies
• African American And Global Black Studies Minor
• Animal Care and Wellness Minor

Application Information

Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.

Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.

Application Information

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• Winchester Main Campus

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