Veterinary Technology (VET)

VET 101 Veterinary Medical Terminology

Credits: 2

Term: (F)

This course is designed to provide students with the foundation in the language of veterinary medicine, focusing on prefixes, suffixes, word roots and their combining forms.

VET 111 Veterinary Nursing I

Credits: 2

Term: (F)

An entry-level course designed to introduce students to basic nursing skills utilized by veterinary technicians and to act as a foundation of learning for subsequent nursing technique courses. It is strongly encouraged that students take BIOB 101 prior to taking this course.

VET 113 Veterinary Nursing II

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: After formal acceptance into the Veterinary Technician program.

Upon completion of this intermediate level course, students will practice various nursing techniques such as obtaining patient history, obtaining nutrition plans, medication administration, and sample collection.

VET 115 Veterinary Nursing Clinical I

Credits: 1

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: After formal acceptance into the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

A summative course designed to equip students with the knowledge of animal husbandry and nursing skills per AVMA-CVTEA standards relevant to veterinary medicine.

VET 121 Animal Disease I

Credits: 3

Term: (F)

Prerequisite: Completion of the second semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

This entry-level course provides an introduction to basic mammalian diseases. There is a focus on canine and feline safety, diseases and disease development, common microorganisms found in canines and felines, infections diseases, immunology, and vaccinations.

VET 123 Animal Diseases II

Credits: 3

Term: (F)

Prerequisite: Completion of the second semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Animal Diseases II is the final course in the Animal Diseases series. Animal Diseases II will continue with a foundational knowledge of diseases and disease processes that began in Animal Diseases I.

VET 131 Veterinary Pharmacology I

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: After formal acceptance into the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

This entry-level course covers the fundamental concepts of pharmacology, including pharmacy procedures, pharmaceutical calculations, major drug classifications, pharmacological chemistry, and relevant federal and state regulations.

VET 141 Veterinary Office Procedures I

Credits: 2

Term: (F)

This course provides an overview of veterinary office procedures and practice. It focuses on computer skills, managing patient records, legalities within veterinary offices, and appropriate interpersonal and public relations skills. This is an entry level course designed to introduce learners to veterinary medicine as a business and profession.

VET 143 Veterinary Office Procedures II

Credits: 2

Term: (F)

Prerequisite: VET 141 with a C (not C-)

This course introduces the learner to common veterinary office business operations. It focuses on inventory control, sanitation methods, keeping medical records, patient communication strategies, research, and creating a healthy work environment. The topics covered build on the knowledge and skills introduced in Veterinary Office Procedures I.

VET 151 Veterinary Anesthesia & Surgical Nursing I

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: After formal acceptance into the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Assisting I is an entry-level course designed to help develop a strong foundation in anesthetic skills, surgical assisting skills, and perioperative procedures. The course will also teach emergency and critical care nursing skills to assist students in preparing for their credentialing examinations.

VET 161 Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging I

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: After formal acceptance into the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

This is an entry-level course on the basic principles of radiology, radiological safety, and the basic concepts of image generation. Students will be instructed on quality control measures, proper documentation and image labeling, images, and equipment maintenance.

VET 163 Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging II

Credits: 2

Term: (Su)

Prerequisite: Completion of the first semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

This is the second course in veterinary diagnostic imaging designed for students to learn how to expose diagnostic images in a veterinary practice. This course will build on concepts introduced in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging I. Students in this course will focus on safe radiographic techniques to produce quality diagnostic images. Students will learn about contrast media and will be introduced to specialized radiographic procedures.

VET 171 Veterinary Laboratory Procedures I

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: After formal acceptance into the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

This course introduces students to laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and the fundamentals of hematology within a veterinary technology context. Students will develop proficiency in proper sample collection and handling techniques, explore clinical hematologic pathology, and gain an understanding of hemostasis.

VET 173 Veterinary Laboratory Procedures II

Credits: 2

Term: (Su)

Prerequisite: Completion of the first semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

This is an intermediate course builds on foundational skills and focuses on immunology, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and necropsies withing veterinary technology context. Students will enhance their laboratory proficiency through advanced techniques, including immunologic diagnostics, urine evaluation, and clinical chemistry assays for organ function, electrolytes, and acid-base balance. Students will also refine their diagnostic skills by mastering microbial identification techniques.

VET 201 Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology I

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: After formal acceptance into the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have approved work-based learning location.

Students in this course will learn the fundamentals of comparative anatomy in domestic animal species with an emphasis on identifying anatomical regions and landmarks. General physiology of major body systems in domestic animals will also be discussed.

VET 203 Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology II

Credits: 2

Term: (Su)

Prerequisite: Completion of the first semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

Students in this course will build on the fundamentals learned in VET 201 of comparative anatomy in domestic animal species. This course will also emphasize identifying anatomical regions and landmarks. General physiology of other major body systems in domestic animals will also be discussed.

VET 213 Veterinary Nursing III

Credits: 2

Term: (F)

Prerequisite: Completion of the second semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Upon completion of this clinical experience students will understand patient oral health, all aspects of patient therapeutic husbandry and nutrition, and will execute various nursing techniques.

VET 215 Veterinary Nursing Clinical II

Credits: 1

Term: (F)

Prerequisite: Completion of the second semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

A cumulative course designed to allow students to demonstrate proficiency of the essential nursing skills dictated by the AVMA-CVTEA necessary to function within the scope of practice of a licensed veterinary technician (LVT).

VET 231 Veterinary Pharmacology II

Credits: 2

Term: (F)

Prerequisite: Completion of the second semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

This is an intermediate pharmacology course for veterinary technicians designed to teach students how drugs interact and affect the various systems of the body.

VET 233 Veterinary Pharmacology III

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: Completion of the third semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

This is the final pharmacology course for veterinary technicians, designed to teach students how drugs interact and affect the various systems of the body.

VET 241 Laboratory & Exotic Animals

Credits: 2

Term: (F)

Prerequisite: Completion of the second semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

Upon completion of this intermediate level course students will safely and effectively handle common laboratory animals; become familiar with the basic principles of animal research; gain knowledge of federal, state, and local animal welfare regulations; provide safe and effective care for exotic and small mammal procedures; and safely obtain subjective and objective data to evaluate exotic and small mammals.

VET 251 Veterinary Anesthesia & Surgical Nursing II

Credits: 2

Term: (F)

Prerequisite: Completion of the second semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Nursing II is an intermediate course designed to instruct students in the preanesthetic evaluation of patients, the induction of anesthesia, and the monitoring of anesthetized and post-anesthetic patients. This course will also teach emergency and critical care nursing skills to assist students in preparing for their credentialing examinations.

VET 253 Veterinary Anesthesia & Surgical Nursing III

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: Completion of the third semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Nursing III is an advanced course designed to instruct students in advanced and interactive preanesthetic evaluations, induction of anesthesia, and the monitoring of anesthesia and postanesthetic patients.

VET 255 Veterinary Anesthesia & Surgical Nursing Clinical

Credits: 1

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: Completion of the third semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Nursing Clinical is an advanced level course specifically designed to instruct students in the performing the required hand-on clinical tasks for veterinary anesthesia and technical surgical assistance. Students will be required to demonstrate specific veterinary surgical assistance and perianesthetic tasks. This is a requirement for all veterinary technology program students based on ACMA/CVTEA accreditation criteria.

VET 261 Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging III

Credits: 1

Term: (F)

Prerequisite: Completion of the second semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

This is the final course in veterinary diagnostic imaging culminating with a clinical assessment. It focuses on advanced radiographic procedures. Students will also discuss patient positions for large animal imaging. Other diagnostic imaging modalities, including those used on exotic species, will be reviewed.

VET 271 Veterinary Laboratory Procedures III

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: Completion of the third semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

This advanced course focuses on microbiology, cytology, and parasitology within a veterinary technology context. Students will refine their diagnostic skills by mastering cytological evaluation, and parasitological analyses. Emphasis is placed on integrating advanced laboratory methods into veterinary diagnostic and clinical practices to ensure proficiency in real-world applications.

VET 275 Veterinary Laboratory Procedures Clinical

Credits: 1

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: Completion of the third semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

This advanced clinical course evaluates students' proficiency in performing essential hands-on tasks in veterinary clinical laboratory procedures. Students must document and demonstrate competency in specific clinical pathology procedures, as mandated by AVMA/CVTEA accreditation standards. This course is a capstone requirement for all Veterinary Technology program students, emphasizing the application of advanced laboratory skills in clinical settings.

VET 280 Large Animal Nursing

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: Completion of the third semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

Upon completion of this intermediate level course students will be able to determine sanitation and disease prevention techniques; correct use, administration, and documentation of medication; and husbandry, nutrition, and dentistry techniques appropriate for large animals. Students will also be able to understand the pathophysiology of common diseases of large animals.

VET 284 Large Animal Nursing Clinical

Credits: 2

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: Completion of the third semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

Corequisite: Must have an approved work-based learning location.

Upon completion of this clinical students will have worked closely with a veterinarian on large animals (cows, horses, and goats/sheep) to demonstrate appropriate sanitation and disease prevention techniques; carry out and perform the appropriate prescribed dental health techniques, create and explain optimal dietary plans; use suitable therapeutic techniques, and provide all aspects of patient care for common surgical procedures.

VET 288 Veterinary Technician National Examination Review

Credits: 1

Term: (S)

Prerequisite: Completion of the third semester of the Veterinary Technician program.

This course provides a forum for students to prepare for the veterinary technician national board association.