Jun 08, 2025  
2025-2026 University Catalog 
    
2025-2026 University Catalog

Animal Health Science, B.S.: 120 units


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

The curriculum matrix for the degree program may be found here. The curriculum matrix is the alignment of courses (curriculum) with the desired goals and student learning outcomes of the program. It shows what is taught and how these outcomes are achieved through the completion of the degree program.

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.

Three distinctive externships are required which provide training in animal health services allied to the veterinary profession. The Human-Animal bond is explored through volunteer activities, 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 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: 83 units


All major required courses must be passed with a grade of “C-” or better to receive major credit.

Note(s):


* MAT 1050  may be satisfied with one of the following stretch sequence, which may increase overall units to degree:

** STA 1200  may be satisfied with one of the following stretch sequence, which may increase overall units to degree:

For more information on choosing the best course for you, please visit: https://www.cpp.edu/studentsuccess/new-students/category-placement.shtml.

Unrestricted Electives: 0-7 units


Select a sufficient number of courses so that the total from Major Required, Graduation Requirements, GE, and Unrestricted Electives is at least 120 units.

Graduation Requirements: 9 units


American Institutions: 6 units


The CSU requires all students complete coursework in US History, US Government, and California and local Government. At CPP, this is a 2-course requirement: American Institutions Part A - US History and American Institutions Part B - US and California Government. Part A can be satisfied through the completion of coursework both inside and outside of GE, while Part B can be satisfied through the completion of GE Area 4B or by select courses in 4C. If students satisfy these requirements through GE or have satisfied this requirement at a previous institution, Unrestricted Electives may increase by 6 units.

University Writing Requirement (UWR): 3 units


Students must complete a minimum of 3-units of a writing-intensive course or courses with a grade of C or higher. Students are eligible to take their UWR when they have completed 60 semester units. Writing-intensive courses are marked with a “W” in the catalog.

General Education Requirements: 43 units


Students should view their Degree Progress Report (DPR) for information regarding their General Education requirements. Unless specific GE courses are required for their major, please refer to the list of approved courses in the General Education Program in the University Catalog, https://catalog.cpp.edu. When viewing the catalog, students should select the catalog year associated with the GE requirements listed in their Degree Progress Report.

Area 1. English Communication (9 units)


1A. English Communication (3)
1B. Critical Thinking (3)
1C. Oral Communication (3)

Area 2. Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)


Area 3. Arts and Humanities (9 units)


3A. Arts (3)
3B. Humanities (3)
3C. Upper Division Arts or Humanities (3)

Area 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 units)


4A. Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
4B. Social and Behavioral Sciences - American and California Government (3)
4C. Upper Division Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)

Area 5. Physical and Biological Sciences (10 units)


5A. Physical Science (3)
5B. Biological Science (3)
5C. Laboratory (1)
5D. Upper Division Scientific Inquiry or Quantitative Reasoning (3)

Area 6. Ethnic Studies (3 units)


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