Animal Health Science, B.S.: 120 units

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Offered by: College of Agriculture, Animal and Veterinary Science Department

Major Required
Major Electives

Unrestricted Electives
General Education Requirements

www.cpp.edu/~vettech

The Animal Health Science major is a four-year curriculum, which is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Health Science. Students choose a business or science emphasis in their major. Course work includes biology, chemistry, animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, reproduction and computer training with specialized training in radiography, pharmacology, anesthesiology and surgical assisting. The care, nutritional requirements and diseases of companion animals and food animals is covered as well as the care and management of laboratory animals, exotics and animal facilities.

Four distinctive externships are required which provide training in animal health services allied to the veterinary profession. The Human-Animal bond is explored through the Pet Assisted Activities and Therapy Program, providing community service experience and ‘Hands-On” participation.

The program is designed: (1) to train undergraduate students for careers which provide technical and supervisory support to the technological, business and/or educational aspects of animal health care under research and clinical environments such as private veterinary hospitals, laboratory animal facilities, pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, diagnostic facilities, government services, zoos, and meat packing facilities, (2) to provide sufficient education and experience to enable all graduates to pass the California State Board Registered Veterinary Technician examination as well as the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) in order to qualify for employment in the veterinary technology profession, (3) to provide a broad university education by participating in the University’s general education; English, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities, as well as biological and agricultural sciences, (4) to provide opportunities for continuing education for employed veterinary technologists and laboratory animal technicians.

Major Required: 80 units

Major Electives: 9 units

Choose ONE of the two emphasis areas offered.

Science Emphasis - Select 9 units

Select 9 Upper Division course units. Must be approved by an Advisor.

Business Emphasis - Select 9 units

Select 9 Upper Division course units. Must be approved by an Advisor.

Unrestricted Electives: 0-1 unit

Select a sufficient number of courses so that the total from “Major Required”, “GE”, and “Unrestricted Electives” is at least 111 units.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

Students should consult the Academic Programs website https://www.cpp.edu/~academic-programs/general-education-course-listings.shtml for current information regarding this requirement. Unless specific courses are required, please refer to the list of approved courses under General Education Requirements, Areas A through E.

	Course	Term Taken	Grade
Area A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units) At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Oral Communication
2. Written Communication
3. Critical Thinking
Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units) At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Physical Sciences
2. Life Sciences
3. Laboratory Activity
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
5. Science and Technology Synthesis
Area C. Arts and Humanities (12 units) At least 3 units from each sub-area and 3 additional units from sub-areas 1 and/or 2
1. Visual and Performing Arts
2. Literature, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Civilization
3. Arts and Humanities Synthesis
Area D. Social Sciences (12 units) At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. U.S. History and American Ideals
2. U.S. Constitution and California Government
3. Social Sciences: Principles, Methodologies, Value Systems, and Ethics
4. Social Science Synthesis
Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)

For an alternative and interdisciplinary way to complete some of their GE requirements, students may choose the Interdisciplinary General Education program, see below.

Interdisciplinary General Education: 21 units

An alternate pattern for partial fulfillment of GE Areas A, C, and D available for students is the Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) program. Students should see an advisor for specific GE coursework required by their major. Please refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for additional information.

How IGE fulfills General Education Requirements:

GE Area	Courses
A2	IGE 1100 and IGE 1200
C1	IGE 2100 or IGE 2200
C2	IGE 1100, IGE 1200, IGE 2100, or IGE 2200
D1	IGE 2300 or IGE 2400
D3	IGE 2300 or IGE 2400
C3	IGE 3100
D4	IGE 3100

A single course cannot be double-counted across multiple GE Areas.

revised 07/17/2024

American Institutions: 6 units

Courses that satisfy this requirement may also satisfy GE Areas D1 and D2.

American Cultural Perspectives Requirement: 3 units

Refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for a list of courses that satisfy this requirement. Course may also satisfy major, minor, GE, or unrestricted elective requirements.

Graduation Writing Test

All persons who receive undergraduate degrees from Cal Poly Pomona must pass the Graduation Writing Test (GWT). The test must be taken by the semester following completion of 60 units for undergraduates.