Undergraduate Program Overview

A. Reilly  K. McGarvey 2017Welcome to Veterinary & Animal Sciences at UMass Amherst where we prepare students to become contributing members and leaders in the fields of veterinary and human health, animal biotechnology, and production agriculture.

Our undergraduate curriculum is designed to develop scientific awareness of cell and molecular biology, critical and ethical thinking, and skills in laboratory and animal management and communication. Our graduate curriculum and research programs help talented and focused students achieve creative excellence, technical mastery, intellectual independence, and recognition within the field of molecular and cellular biology as it is applied to immunology, infectious disease, developmental biology, reproductive biology, and toxicology. Our research mission is to understand the basic processes that regulate animal and human health, fertility and productivity, and to apply this knowledge to benefit companion and food animals as well as people. The Department values an open and inclusive environment that celebrates the diversity of our students and staff.

The undergraduate program offers three specialty majors that lead to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree -  BS-Pre-Veterinary Science, BS-Animal Science, and BS-Veterinary Technology.

Incoming freshmen can choose the Animal Science major or Veterinary Technology major. Animal Science majors must also choose one of three concentrations: Animal ManagementBiotechnology or Equine Science Concentration.

Students must qualify to change to the Pre-Veterinary Science major. Both the Animal Science major and the Pre-Veterinary Science major offer       research opportunities. The Pre-Veterinary Science major provides pre-professional training for students planning to continue their education in Veterinary, Graduate or Medical school, or who are contemplating joining the teaching profession. The Animal Science major covers the basic sciences and prepares students for a wide range of jobs in agriculture and related biomedical fields.

The UMass Amherst Veterinary Technology program at the Amherst and Mt. Ida campuses is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and trains future Veterinary Technologists by offering a science degree that offers depth in a basic science and veterinary medicine curriculum combined with a breadth of general education classes across disciplines.

Qualifying undergraduate students may elect to participate in the Departmental Honors program. Students interested in  Sustainable Food and Farming can find additional classes offered through the Stockbridge School of Agriculture.

To learn more about the Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department's Undergraduate program, please access our Frequently Asked Questions.

Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department Undergraduate Student Learning Objectives.