BS Veterinary Technology

Courses

VST 219 Outbreak!
Viral structure, mode of infection of human cells, replication and classification are discussed. The DNA and RNA viruses associated with human diseases as well as the resultant clinical syndromes; diagnostic procedures used to collect and detect viral antigens in clinical specimens. A focus on One Health and epidemiology is discussed surrounding common zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease.
Credits: 3

VST 221 Introduction to Veterinary Sciences
A veterinary technician is described by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as a person knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, in the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and in routine and clinical procedures. They are active assistants to veterinarians, biological research workers, and other scientists. This introductory survey course is designed to prepare students for entrance into the field of veterinary science and technology, by introducing them to the terminology of veterinary medicine. This course includes instructional areas of information pertaining to various classifications and breeds of animals, restraint methods, future employment potential, and basic scientific concepts regarding animal health in general. The course is intended to be an overview of the entire veterinary science and technology curriculum by providing basic background and prerequisite knowledge that will be of benefit in other departmental course offerings. Enrollment Limited to Students in the Vet Tech Major
Credits: 3

VST 222 Veterinary Hospital Procedures and Practices
This course will acquaint the student with the principles involved in operating a veterinary practice. The legal aspects of the practice will be discussed, as well as methods of managing the personnel, financial responsibilities, ordering drugs and supplies, keeping inventory, and bookkeeping. Illustrations from actual practices will be used. Students will become familiar with the medical notes format currently in use. The computer and its impact and use in veterinary medicine will be discussed. A demonstration of a sample veterinary software management system will take place.
Prerequisite of VST 221 is required.
Credits: 2
Every Spring

VST 231 Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals I
Basic principles of the structure and function of companion, food, laboratory, and exotic animals are discussed in depth for each of the organ systems. Physiology is presented from both a biochemical and organismal point of view. Basic understanding of chemistry, physics and mathematics is introduced where useful and necessary for understanding these biological phenomena. This course covers the comparative anatomy of and physiology of companion, food, laboratory and exotic animals in a systematic manner. The integumentary, cellular, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and metabolic systems will be covered during the first course. The reproductive, endocrine, neurologic, immune and sensory systems will be covered during the second course of the two-course sequence. The laboratories will involve dissection as well as use of models and online/ software materials. This course is part of a two-semester sequence (2 hours of lecture, 3 hours of laboratory).
Pre or Co requisite: Corequisite(s): VST 221, VST 231L – Lab
Credits: 2 Every Fall

VST 231L Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals I – Lab
Pre or Co requisite: BIO 103
Corequisite(s): VST 221, VST 231 – Lecture
Credits: 1

VST 232 Veterinary Toxicology and Pharmacology
This course is a study of the drugs used in veterinary medicine, pharmacy maintenance, and the storage and proper inventory procedures for these drugs. General pharmacological principles, drugs, and classification of agents used in veterinary medicine, including drug dosage calculation, therapeutic responses to drugs, and common adverse drug reactions will be covered. Toxicology of common OTCs, plants insecticides, and household products are included.
Prerequisite(s): VST 222, VST 233 and VST 233L and BIO 104
Credits: 3

VST 233 Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals II
Basic principles of the structure and function of companion, food, laboratory and exotic animals are discussed in depth for each of the organ systems. Physiology is presented from both a biochemical and organismal point of view. Basic understanding of chemistry, physics and mathematics is introduced where useful and necessary for understanding these biological phenomena. This course covers the comparative anatomy and physiology of companion, food, laboratory and exotic animals in a systematic manner. The integumentary, circulatory, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and metabolic systems will be covered during the first course. The circulatory, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, neurologic, immune and sensory systems will be covered during the second course of the two-course sequence. The laboratories will involve dissection as well as the use of models and online/software materials. This course is part of a two-semester sequence (2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory).
Prerequisite: VST 231
Corequisite: VST 233 L – Lab
Credits: 2

VST 233L Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals II – Lab
Prerequisite: VST 231L
Corequisite: VST 233 – Lecture
Credits: 1
Every Spring

VST 234 Veterinary Nursing I
Veterinary Nursing I is the first in a series of three veterinary nursing courses that will culminate in a broad knowledge and skill base when dealing with small animals, typically dogs and cats. Each course will build on the skills learned in the proceeding course. Topics covered will include handling and restraint of dogs and cats, the application of patient and personal safety measures, the physical exam, venipuncture, nutrition, preventative health, and ophthalmic, optic and urogenital care.
Prerequisite: VST 233 and 233L
Corequisite(s): VST 232, VST 234L – Lab
Credits: 2

VST 271 Veterinary Clinical Laboratory Techniques
Veterinary technicians function as a component of a diagnostic and therapeutic team. This course will explore the diagnostic and therapeutic processes with emphasis placed on the roles that technicians have in these operations. Focus will be given to laboratory analyses; however, it is intended that students gain an appreciation for the manner in which ancillary diagnostics integrate with the entire diagnostic process. Various aspects of veterinary hematology which are important to LVTs. Focus on urology, clinical chemistry, clinical serology, digestive function tests, and laboratory cytology. Laboratory sessions will be focused primarily on the correct collection, storage, handling and analysis of blood and urine as well as other bodily secretions and excretions as they pertain to cytology.
Prerequisite(s): VST 232, VST 234 and VST 234L
Co requisite: VST 271L – Lab
Credits: 2

VST 271L Veterinary Clinical Laboratory Techniques – Lab
Lab to VST 271 Lecture
Corequisite: VST 271 – Lecture
Credits: 1

VST 272 Large Animal Health, Diseases and Nursing
Farm animal nursing provides the student with the knowledge and understanding of basic health principles relating to large farm type animals including dairy and beef cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, llamas and poultry. The course exposes the student to the areas of restraint methodology, clinical techniques utilized in physical examinations for diagnosis, and therapeutics of large animals. In addition, the course is designed to impart a basic understanding of diseases of farm animals, with an emphasis on etiology, pathogenesis, signs, treatment, and prevention. Safety and humane treatment of animals will be emphasized throughout the course.
Prerequisite: VST274, VST274L, VST275, VST275L
Corequisite: VST 212P
Credits: 2

VST 272P Large Animal Health, Diseases and Nursing
Farm animal nursing provides the student with the knowledge and understanding of basic health principles and husbandry relating to large farm type animals including dairy and beef cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, llamas and poultry. The course exposes the student to the areas of restraint methodology, clinical techniques utilized in physical examinations for diagnosis, and therapeutics of large animals. In addition, the course is designed to impart a basic understanding of diseases of farm animals, with an emphasis on etiology, pathogenesis, signs, treatment, and prevention. Safety and humane treatment of animals will be emphasized throughout the course. Note that the practicum involves an additional laboratory fee.
Corequisite: VST 272
Credits: 1

VST 273 Veterinary Externship I
A three-course externship sequence provides the student with supervised applied training in a veterinary hospital/facility. This is the first course in the sequence. Students will experience a minimum of 150 hours of supervised clinical experience. Through this supervised, applied training, the student will develop his/her skills as a veterinary technologist. In addition, there will be a one¬ hour class held on campus each week. Performance in the clinic will be formally evaluated by a program preceptor twice a semester. The on-campus class will cover didactic material as well as reflections on clinical experiences. Registration in the course requires that the student purchase liability insurance through the college. Students are required to provide their own transportation to off campus field experiences.
Prerequisite: VST VST293, VST 293L, VST 275 and VST 275L
Corequisite: VST 273P
Credits: 1

VST 273P Veterinary Externship I - Practicum
A three-course externship sequence provides the student with supervised applied training in a veterinary hospital/facility. This is the first course in the sequence. Students will experience a minimum of 150 hours of supervised clinical experience. Through this supervised, applied training, the student will develop his/her skills as a veterinary technologist. In addition, there will be a one¬ hour class held on campus each week. Performance in the clinic will be formally evaluated by a program preceptor twice a semester. The on-campus class will cover didactic material as well as reflections on clinical experiences. Registration in the course requires that the student purchase liability insurance through the college. Students are required to provide their own transportation to off campus field experiences.
Corequisite of VST 273 is required.
Credits: 2

VST 274 Veterinary Nursing II
Veterinary Nursing II is the second in a series of three veterinary nursing courses that will culminate in a broad knowledge and skill base when dealing with small animals, typically dogs and cats. Each course will build on the skills learned in the preceding course. The topics covered will include basic introduction to radiology, knowledge of surgical instruments, patient surgical preparation, bandaging, suturing, basic ultrasound knowledge, calculations of fluid additives and use of fluid pumps/syringe pumps, continued practice of blood withdrawal and continued experience in well-care. Prerequisite: VST 234, VST232
Corequisite: VST 274 L Lecture
Credits: 2

Veterinary Nursing II – Lab
Lab to VST 274 Lecture
Corequisite: VST 274 – Lecture
Credits: 1 Every Spring

VST 275 Veterinary Diseases and Parasitology
An introduction to the principles of basic parasitology with an emphasis on identification, classification, life history, prevention and control of the internal and external parasites of economic importance to the animal industry. In the laboratory the student develops the routine procedures and techniques necessary to deliver accurate laboratory results in parasite examination. Common diseases that are caused by parasites will be discussed.
Pre or co requisite: VST 271 and VST271L
Corequisite: VST 275L – Lab
Credits: 2

VST 275L Veterinary Diseases and Parasitology
Lab to VST 275 Lecture
Corequisite: VST 275 – Lecture
Credits: 1

VST 234 Exotic Animals
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the wide variety of issues important to husbandry and nursing care for exotic animals. Matters of well-care, nutrition, medical care, and client education will be discussed in the context of the major species of exotic companion animals. Attention will be paid to the inadvisability of keeping some species or breeds as companions.
Prerequisite of VST 293 and VST293Lis required.
Credits: 3

VST 285 Rehabilitation and Wellness
The course builds on the students' understanding of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics for the purpose of learning rehabilitative and wellness principles. Rehabilitative and preventative treatments of common orthopedic, cardiorespiratory and neurologic disorders of the patient as options for care will be discussed. Rehabilitation modalities including traditional physical therapy and integrative therapies are introduced, as well as ways they can be incorporated into veterinary practice.
Prerequisite of VST 293 and VST 293 is required.
Credits: 3

VST 286 Special Topics in Veterinary Science
This course is meant for upper-level students. It is a lecture/discussion class centered around a current topic of interest in the practice of veterinary medicine and science. The topic may change with each semester, based on current events. Sample topics may include Fear Free, RECOVER, Basic and advanced CPR, One Health, corporate medicine, pandemics and animal health, or ethical considerations in everyday veterinary practice.
Prerequisite of VST293 and VST293L
Credits: 1 to 2

VST 287 Animal Behavior
This course is designed to give the student an appreciation of the typical behaviors that will be encountered in working with a variety of animal breeds and species. While there are some commonalities, responses to both positive and negative events can be quite specific to an individual animal, and an understanding of the cues that companion or domestic animals provide for us to interpret a given response to the environment is critical to safe and effective interaction with them. The nature of the human animal bond will be explored as well.
Prerequisite of VST 221 is required.
Credits: 3

VST 291 Laboratory Animal/Non-traditional Pet Technology
The course will focus on the topics of history of animal research, biology of laboratory animals, the choice of species, and the principles of reduce, refine, and replace. The course will cover principles of handling laboratory animals, anesthesia, analgesia and enrichment of their environment, evaluation and quality control of living spaces, health hazards, alternatives to animal models, legislation, ethics and views in society. The course provides an overview of the issues involved in keeping and treating non-traditional pets.
Prerequisite: VST293 and VST293L
Corequisite: VST 291L – Lab
Credits: 2

VST 291L Laboratory Animal/Non-traditional Pet Technology
Lab to VST 291 Lecture. Lab classes will be held off-campus.
Corequisite: VST 291 – Lecture
Credits: 1

VST 292 Veterinary Externship II
A three-course externship sequence provides the student with supervised applied training in a veterinary hospital/facility. This is the second course in the sequence. Students will experience a minimum of 185 hours of supervised clinical experience. Through this supervised applied training, the student will develop his/her skills as a veterinary technologist. In addition, there will be a one-hour class held on campus each week. Performance in the clinic will be formally evaluated twice a semester. The on-campus class will cover didactic material as well as reflections on clinical experiences. Registration in the course requires that the student purchase liability insurance.
Students are required to provide their own transportation to off-campus field experiences.
Prerequisite: VST273, VST273P, VST294, VST286, VST293, VST293L, VST275 and VST 275L
Corequisite: VST292P
Credits: 1

VST 292P Veterinary Externship II – Practicum
A three-course externship sequence provides the student with supervised applied training in a veterinary hospital/facility. This is the second course in the sequence. Students will experience a minimum of 185 hours of supervised clinical experience. Through this supervised applied training, the student will develop his/her skills as a veterinary technologist. In addition, there will be a one-hour class held on campus each week. Performance in the clinic will be formally evaluated twice a semester. The on-campus class will cover didactic material as well as reflections on clinical experiences. Registration in the course requires that the student purchase liability insurance. Students are required to provide their own transportation to off-campus field experiences.
Corequisite of VST 292 is required.
Credits: 3

VST 293 Veterinary Nursing III
Veterinary Nursing III is the third course in a series of three veterinary nursing courses that will culminate in a broad knowledge and skill base when dealing with small animals, typically dogs and cats. This third and final veterinary nursing course will build on the skills learned in the proceeding course. Prepares students for participation in two important areas of diagnostic technology. Cardiology instruction enables students to understand and participate in process of cardiovascular evaluation; emphasis on electrocardiography. . The surgical veterinary nursing instruction prepares students to monitor veterinary patients throughout all aspects of anesthesia and surgery. There are no live animals used in this course. Teaching is accomplished using manikins, models, and computer software. The psychomotor skills will then be applied on externship. Patient monitoring, pre-surgical assessment, and forms and levels of anesthesia are covered. Students will maintain and operate monitoring equipment, surgical instruments, and autoclave. Specific emphasis on patient positioning for radiography, cardiology signs and diagnosis, surgical assisting, preparation of surgical packs, bandaging (on models), and principles of anesthetic monitoring. Continued practice of restraint and handling, phlebotomy and catheter placement (on models).
Prerequisite: VST 274
Corequisite: VST 293 L – Lab
Credits: 3

VST 293L Veterinary Nursing III – Lab
Lab to VST 293 Lecture
Corequisite: VST 293
Credits: 1

VST 294 Veterinary Dentistry and Radiology
This course is intended for upper-level students to provide knowledge in both radiology and dentistry. Dental disease is the leading cause of health problems in domestic and companion animals, and the technician plays a prominent role in the provision of care. A veterinary technician plays a crucial role in dentistry by performing thorough oral examinations, taking dental radiographs, cleaning teeth, assisting the veterinarian during dental procedures, educating clients on proper dental hygiene practices, and providing post-operative care for animals undergoing dental treatments; essentially acting as a vital support system to the veterinarian during all aspects of dental care, often including charting findings and administering local anesthesia when appropriate.
Veterinary technicians also play a pivotal role in the radiographic process within veterinary practices. The fundamentals of basic radiology will be taught in this class to be inclusive of handling animals, positioning them correctly, and ensuring optimal image quality which are essential for accurate diagnoses. The fundamentals will be taught in two parts with the first part being radiographic theory and equipment and the second part being radiographic positioning. This course will be taught by two faculty members who are veterinarians with years of experience in this area.
This class will include a hands-on laboratory lesson both taught in simulation labs and actual veterinary hospitals. During the semester there may be some field trips offsite and different onsite locations to facilitate your learning exposure to taking radiographs and doing dental procedures that may include alternate meeting times. Some of the hands-on skills may be taught using non live mock “simulation” laboratories and others might be live animal experiences at a veterinary hospital.
Prerequisite of VST 274 is required.
Credits: 2

VST 295 Veterinary Externship III
A three-course externship sequence provides the student with supervised applied training in a veterinary hospital/facility. This is the third course in the sequence. Students will experience a minimum of 185 hours of supervised clinical experience. Through this supervised applied training, the student will develop his/her skills as a veterinary technologist. In addition, there will be a one-hour class held on campus each week. Performance in the clinic will be formally evaluated twice a semester. The on-campus class will cover didactic material as well as reflections on clinical experiences. Registration in the course requires that the student purchase liability insurance. Students are required to provide their own transportation to off-campus field experiences.
Prerequisite: VST292, VST 292P, VST 291, VST 291L, VST 293, VST 293L and VST 286
Corequisite: VST295P
Credits: 1

VST 295P Veterinary Externship III – Practicum
A three-course externship sequence provides the student with supervised applied training in a veterinary hospital/facility. This is the third course in the sequence. Students will experience a minimum of 185 hours of supervised clinical experience. Through this supervised applied training, the student will develop his/her skills as a veterinary technologist. In addition, there will be a one-hour class held on campus each week. Performance in the clinic will be formally evaluated twice a semester. The on-campus class will cover didactic material as well as reflections on clinical experiences. Registration in the course requires that the student purchase liability insurance. Students are required to provide their own transportation to off-campus field experiences.
Corequisite of VST295 is required.
Credits: 4

VST 296 Veterinary Capstone Course
A forum for graduating Veterinary Technology Program majors to synthesize and display the knowledge expected after completing all core courses in the program. Emphasis will be placed on group projects, oral presentation of aspects of clinical practice, and preparation for the national professional licensing examination (VTNE).
Prerequisites: VST292, VST 292P, VST 291, VST 291L, VST 293, VST 293L and VST 286
Corequisite
Credits: 2