B.S.,
Biology,
Pre-Veterinary Track
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
What You’ll Do
While future physicians learn how to heal the human body, aspiring veterinarians must learn how to apply medical science to many kinds of animals. As a Biology major pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the Pre-Veterinary track at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, you’ll gain the strong educational foundation you’ll need for veterinary school.
Among the courses you’ll take are Botany, General Zoology, Microbiology, Genetics, Physics, Organic Chemistry, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Animal Developmental Biology, and Comparative Animal Physiology. This degree automatically qualifies you for a minor in chemistry.
IUP’s Biology professors take pride in offering you the best of both worlds—the opportunities found at larger research institutions, combined with the kind of more personal learning community found at smaller colleges. They also offer excellence on both sides of the academic experience—encouraging your intellectual growth in the classroom while promoting field experiences and hands-on learning.
What You’ll Become
The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Pre-Veterinary track will prepare you for veterinary school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for veterinarians is bright, with employment expected to increase 35 percent over the 2006-2016 decade, much faster than the average for all jobs.
Most veterinarians work with pets in animal hospitals, specialized retail stores, or clinics, the report notes. Some work with farm animals or for government agencies. A few factors that may spark employment growth, according to the report, are the increasing popularity of cats as pets and the trend toward nontraditional veterinary care, such as cancer treatment, preventative dental care, and hip replacement.
There are only twenty-eight accredited schools of veterinary medicine in the United States. Although this leads to a less competitive job market, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report, there can be strong competition for admission to veterinary schools.
