Prospective Students

Information Sessions and Facilities Tours for the Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Science majors will be held at 2:30 pm on Fridays, March 1, April 19, and April 26, 2024. Please contact Lisa West at lwest0 [at] umass.edu to make reservations.

The Veterinary Technology Major will hold an Information Session on Friday, March 1 at 2:30pm. Please contact arubin [at] umass.edu (Dr. Amy Rubin) to make reservations.

Campus tours are available through the UMass Undergraduate Admissions office.

Welcome 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.

To learn more about the Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department’s Undergraduate program, please access our FAQ for Prospective Students

Summer Pre-College Programs at UMass 
     Discover pre-college opportunities for high school students

The Pre-Veterinary Medicine program is an immersion experience for high school students seeking to learn about (1) the field of veterinary medicine, (2) the steps involved in successfully completing a pre-veterinary undergraduate program and becoming a competitive candidate for applying to veterinary school, and (3) the time and financial commitments involved in choosing this career path.

The Equine Science Intensive: Horse Pregnancy & Foaling program allows students to learn in depth about the field of equine science, with a focus on horse pregnancy and foaling.

The Veterinary Technology program allows students to work with UMass faculty and learn about the profession of veterinary technician at UMass Mt. Ida Campus in Newton, Massachusetts.

Summer Course Offerings  Choose Animal Science

Information for Prospective Students

Welcome to the Department of Veterinary and 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, communication, and skills in laboratory and animal management.

Our undergraduates experience the best of both worlds - a close-knit college community in a large dynamic university. UMass maintains two facilities where livestock are housed, the Hadley Farm Equine and Livestock Research and Education Center and the South Deerfield Complex as well as partnering with a local dairy farm to provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn about various species. Veterinary & Animal Sciences students at all levels also have the opportunity to work in the laboratories of nationally and internationally recognized scientists studying immunology, reproduction and development, genetics and toxicology. Students also enjoy the culturally exciting benefits of city living- music, theater, art and nightlife - in what was recently rated as the number one college town in North America, a beautiful setting filled with opportunities for local organic farming, hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing and more. It is important that students entering our Department understand that we offer primarily a science-based program that presents the opportunity to gain experience with species relevant to traditional animal science programs. 

Academic Majors - Our undergraduate majors lead to the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Animal Science, the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Pre-Veterinary Science or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Veterinary Technology.

Animal Science Major - This major provides a sound background in the basic sciences to prepare students for a broad range of jobs in agriculture and related biomedical fields. Students must choose one of the following concentrations:

  Animal Management
  Biotechnology
  Equine Science

Pre-Veterinary Science Major - This major is primarily designed to provide pre-professional training to students planning to continue their education in Veterinary, Graduate or Medical school, or who are contemplating joining the teaching profession. All incoming freshmen students enter our program as Animal Science Majors; students must qualify and apply to change to the Pre-Veterinary Major.

Veterinary Technology Major - Students graduating from UMass Amherst’s BS-Vet Tech program will be prepared for a career as a veterinary technologist in veterinary medicine or biomedical research.

 

Admissions - Admission into the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences is administered through the University Undergraduate Admissions Office. Students may enter the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences as freshmen or as external transfer students. Animal Science is an open major; students accepted to the University of Massachusetts Amherst can declare Animal Science as their major.
 

High school students applying to the University of Massachusetts Amherst who want to be considered for the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences should list Animal Science as their intended major on their Common Application to the University.  Please review the Checklist for Freshmen Applicants to assist in the application process. To learn more about the Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department’s Undergraduate program, please access our Frequently Asked Questions.

Transfer student applicants should utilize the Checklist for Transfer Applicants to assist in the application process.  Community College graduates who participated in a Joint Admission or MassTransfer program at a Massachusetts community college should utilize the  UMass Amherst Community College Connection.

Recommended Pre-Requisite Courses   We recommend that students take as many science and math courses as are allowed. These may include: biology, chemistry, physiology & anatomy, physics, algebra, statistics, trigonometry, and calculus. In addition, we recommend courses that provide writing experience and at least three years of one foreign language.  Work experience with a veterinarian - volunteer or paid is an excellent way to determine if veterinary medicine is an appropriate career choice. Veterinary medical schools require this type of work experience prior to application. Other positions working with animals including: wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, and farms may also enhance your veterinary school application.

Research Opportunities - Veterinary Science & Animal Science students at all levels, in either the Pre-Veterinary or Animal Science majors, have the opportunity to work in the laboratories of nationally and internationally recognized scientists studying immunology, reproduction and development, genetics and toxicology. The Department encourages students to expand their knowledge beyond the conventional classroom through 
Independent studies, practica and internships under the guidance of departmental faculty. Projects are graded and students may earn course credits based upon their experience from library research on a specific topic to significant hands-on laboratory research.  The Department recommends you review the research being done by each of our primary investigators, choose a topic that interests you and then make an appointment with the primary investigator to discuss the possibility of working in the primary investigator’s lab.

Student Life - Our large animal population consisting of: goats, horses, poultry, sheep, and Belted Galloway cattle maintained on the Hadley Farm and at the South Deerfield Complex provide the basis for much of the animal experience we offer whether one is interested in applying to veterinary school or seeking employment opportunities after graduation.  VASCI also partners with a local dairy farm where students feed and care for dairy calves seven days per week under the direct supervision of the instructor. Along with our curricular offerings of reproduction, nutrition, diseases, and management, we offer numerous extracurricular activities to all interested students.  These include: Winter Traveling Dairy Tour class, Artificial Insemination Certification class, Service Dog Training class, Peer Advisors, NESA Intercollegiate Animal Science Competition, participation in Regional and National Dairy Challenges, participation in livestock showing and judging at local fairs and regional events. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Bay State Livestock Classic; students organize this event and learn the grooming and showing of cattle, poultry, sheep, goats and horses. The department sponsors a Peer Mentor group and the Pre-Veterinary and Animal Sciences Club. These events all promote positive student to student, student to faculty, and student to industry representative interaction, which can lead to post-baccalaureate internship employment, and graduate school opportunities.

Academic Advising - All students are assigned to a VASCI faculty member who will serve as the student’s Academic Advisor. Since individuals have special interests, the department's faculty members encourage students to interact with the faculty members to develop a program of study that best meets the student's career objectives.  This interaction is an on-going process but formal meetings between faculty members and advisees are scheduled in both the Fall and Spring semesters prior to class registration and students are required to attend these meetings.

Animal Science Majors Residential Academic Plan - RAP provides a unique opportunity for first-year students who have been accepted into the Animal Science major to connect with other motivated Animal Science majors, meet faculty, and learn about opportunities within the Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department. Students enrolled in the Animal Science RAP live together in the Northeast residential area and take a 1-credit seminar course in the fall semester of their first year, taught by a VASCI faculty member and designed to enhance their academic experience and promote a successful transition into the University.

Pre-Veterinary and Animal Sciences Club Members attain both organizational and professional skills through weekly meetings and planned activities. The Club recognizes the importance of integrating the competent care of animals and the ability to work closely with people. Meetings are interactive and topic choices involve the constant input of club members. All UMass undergraduate students are welcome to join.

Peer Mentors Group - The Peer Mentors Group offers tutoring and social events including guest speakers, field trips, group dinners and movie nights.  Meetings are held every other week and focus on various topics including tips on: developing good study habits and good note taking skills, lab courses, “surviving” on campus and campus life, the Commonwealth College, studying abroad, and how to get the best experience with animal management classes. Upper class VASCI students are matched with underclassmen; each mentor guides 3 to 4 mentees.

Helpful Links

FAQS for Prospective Students

So You Think You Want to go to Vet School

Undergraduate Course Catalog

How to Apply - Freshmen

How to Apply - Transfer Students

Power-Up for College Success

Departmental Honors

Commonwealth Honors College

Financial Aid

Residential Life

Learning Resources Center

College of Natural Sciences

CNS Career & Professional Services

UMass Career Development & Professional Services

Five College Interchange

Student Organizations

Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success

"The Academic Veterinarianis a career focused podcast that seeks to educate and support pre-college and undergraduate students pursuing a career in the field of Veterinary and Animal Science. Special guests share insights and expertise within their area of interest with faculty member Dr. Nuno Carreiro, DVM