VET*101, Introduction to Veterinary Technology (3 credits)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
This course introduces the role of the Veterinary Technician to employment opportunities and professional development opportunities in the field. Covered topics include breed differentiation, nutrition, reproduction, and animal behavior. Ethics, animal welfare regulations, state and federal laws are reviewed, including controlled substance laws, occupational safety and health regulations and veterinary practice responsibilities. Prerequisite: Eligible for either ENG*101E or ENG*101. (Updated November 2014)
The following courses are available only to students who have been admitted to the Veterinary Technology Program.
VET*100, Introduction to Animal Care (2 credits)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
This course is an introduction to practical experience with various species. Basic biological concepts and normative data of the various species including common husbandry practices and diseases are discussed. Restraint and handling methodologies are discussed and practiced. Prerequisite: Admission to Veterinary Technology Program. (Updated November 2014)
VET*102, Veterinary Office Management & Communication (3 credits)
Gen Ed Competencies: Oral Communication in English, Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
This is a business management course for Veterinary Technology students. Topics include office procedures and practices, staff management, triaging phone calls, recordkeeping, the human- animal bond, stress management, and client relations, including working with members of the public from diverse cultural, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Personnel administration and other administrative procedures common to veterinary medical practices including databases are reviewed. Prerequisite: Admission to Veterinary Technology Program. (Updated December 2019)
VET*151, Small Animal Veterinary Technology with Lab (4 credits/6 contact hrs.)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
Nursing procedures in small animals and laboratory species are discussed. Topics include physical examinations, common medical nursing techniques and emergency care. Long term nursing care of common animal conditions will be discussed including client education. The course includes vaccination protocols, nutritional support and specialized problems encountered in companion animals as well as hands-on work with lab animals. Relevant clinical cases will be utilized in lecture discussions. Prerequisites: VET*100 and VET*101 with a grade of “C” or better for both. (Updated December 2019)
VET*152, Large Animal Veterinary Technology with Lab (4 credits/6 contact hrs.)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
The course focuses on the specifics related to large animal medicine and nursing practices including techniques. Lectures include anatomy and physiology, nutrition and breeding of agricultural species. The etiology of disease, transmission, prevention and disease control are discussed. Topics include nursing care, diagnostic techniques, reproduction, husbandry, and common diseases. Laboratory sessions include restraint, physical exams, specimen collection, drug administration, and principles of husbandry. Supervised field trips are required. Prerequisites: VET*100 and VET*101, with a grade of “C” or better for both. (Updated December 2019)
VET*201, Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (4 credits/6 contact hrs.)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
Veterinary anatomy and physiology of domestic species presented as a two course series. The anatomic structures and physiologic functions of domestic animals including companion species are discussed. The first semester reviews the basic foundations of structure and function of the most common species including the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine and digestive systems in addition to cellular aspects of metabolism. Comparative aspects of canine, feline, and farm species are provided. Lecture and laboratory exercises emphasize the understanding of the organized body state and the relationship of various components including cells, tissues, organs and body systems. Prerequisite: Admission to Veterinary Technology Program. (Updated December 2014)
VET*202, Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (4 credits/6 contact hrs.)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
This course is a continuation of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I, with discussion of the respiratory, circulatory, urinary and reproductive systems. Comparative aspects of canine, feline, avian, reptilian, laboratory, and farm species are provided. Relevant clinical topics are utilized during this course. Prerequisite: VET*201 with a grade of “C” or better. (Updated December 2014)
VET*206, Laboratory Procedures for Vet Techs (2 credits/2 contact hrs.)
This course replaces VET*205.
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
The theory behind clinical sample analysis utilizing clinical laboratory procedures including specimen collection, hematology, cytology, blood chemistry, urinalysis, necropsy technique, and serology. Emphasis is on manual performance of basic laboratory diagnostic procedures and discussion of the relevance of laboratory findings to the veterinary practitioner. Prerequisites: MED*125, VET*151, VET*152, and VET*202, with a grade of “C” or better for all. VET* 206 must be taken concurrently with VET*212 and VET*230. (New course, Fall 2018)
VET*212, Principles of Imaging with Lab (1 credit/2 contact hrs.)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
The theory and principles of radiology and radiation safety are presented. Topics include radiologic and imaging principles and practices and their uses in patient diagnosis. Animal restraint, positioning, special diagnostic techniques and imaging are reviewed. Ultrasonography, Computerized Axial Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography will be discussed. Prerequisites: MED*125, VET*151, VET*152, and VET*202, with a grade of “C” or better for all. VET*212 must be taken concurrently with VET*206 and VET*230. (Updated December 2019)
VET*220, Animal Pathology (3 credits)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
This course is designed for students in the veterinary technology program. The main focus is to discuss select diseases in small and large animals as well as research animals. Diseases will be discussed in a categorized systematic format to include: infectious diseases, hematologic diseases, and diseases affecting various systems including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, integumentary, endocrine, reproductive and nervous. Clinical signs of organ dysfunction, pathophysiology, diagnostic tests, treatment and prevention are reviewed. Students will learn tissue sampling and preparation. Laboratory animal and “pocket pets” (rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and ferrets) husbandry and techniques, including proper restraint, blood drawing and gavaging will be taught through lectures and hands-on activities. These lectures will be in conjunction with the student’s hands-on experiences at the Yale Animal Resource Center. This course will also require each student to perform a complete necropsy of a rat and an offsite field trip to a packing plant facility if time allows. Prerequisite: VET*206 with a grade of “C” or better. (Updated December 2019)
VET*230, Veterinary Anesthesia and Surgical Nursing with Lab (4 credits/6 contact hrs.)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
Lectures and demonstrations in general anesthetic technique, standard surgical procedure, and operating room conduct. The emphasis is on surgical technology including equipment and supply nomenclature, patient monitoring, aseptic, sterile technique, preoperative care of the patient and emergency medicine. Classifications and mechanisms of action for commonly used anesthetics, and analgesics are discussed. Topics include intravenous catheterization techniques, CPR, and oncology therapeutics. Prerequisites: MED*125, VET*151, VET*152, and VET*202, with a grade of “C” or better for all. VET*230 must be taken concurrently with VET*206 and VET*212. (Updated December 2019)
VET*238, Parasitology (3 credits)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
This course is intended to familiarize students with the parasites of importance in the veterinary field with an emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of parasitic diseases of domestic animals. A laboratory component focuses on clinical diagnostic procedures including immunodiagnostic techniques using both living and preserved specimens. Topics include prevention of infection and transmission, and zoonotic disease transmission, control and epidemiological concerns. Prerequisite: VET* 206 with a grade of “C” or better. (Updated December 2019)
VET*240, Periodontology and Oral Radiology (2 credits)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
This course is an introduction to veterinary dentistry which has become a significant part of veterinary practices. Topics include oral anatomy, terminology periodontology oral radiography endodontics, orthodontics and restorative dentistry. Tasks performed by veterinary technicians, including oral radiography will be discussed. Prerequisites: VET*206 and VET*212, with a grade of “C” or better for both. (Updated December 2019)
VET*250, Principles of Pharmacology for Vet Tech (3 credits)
Gen Ed Competency: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
The study of dose and dosage in applied pharmacology is presented. Topics include basic mathematics, conversions, measurements, drug calculations, drug orders and fluid rate calculations. The major classes of drugs used in therapeutics, dose response characteristics, mechanisms of action, major physiological effects, toxicity and drug interactions are discussed. A review of laws applying to licensure and use of controlled substances in veterinary medicine is included. Prerequisite: VET*201 with a grade of “C” or better. (Updated Fall 2016)
VET*280, Veterinary Technology Externship I (1 credit)
Gen Ed Competencies: Oral Communication in English, Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
This externship is a student’s first externship experience. Students must demonstrate competency in the defined learning objectives in order to progress to VET *286, Veterinary Technology Externship II. Students will be responsible for documenting completion of a checklist of activities reflecting these objectives. For further information on Externship requirements students should consult both the MxCC Vet Tech Program Handbook and the MxCC Vet Tech Externship Manual.
The externship will offer a supervised experience under the direction of a licensed veterinarian, certified technician, or animal research technician through placement at an off-site veterinary hospital, private practice, or laboratory facility. Students will refine skills learned in all previous veterinary technology courses. A minimum of 40 hrs. of participation in a position relating to the veterinary technology field in a faculty-approved facility is required. Prerequisites: VET*202, VET*151, and VET*152, each with a grade of “C” or better, and approval of the Vet Tech Program Coordinator. (New course, approved December 2015)
VET*286, Veterinary Technology Externship II (1 credit)
Gen Ed Competencies: Oral Communication in English, Scientific Knowledge & Understanding
This externship is a student’s final course within the Veterinary Technology Program. Students must demonstrate competency in the defined learning objectives in order to meet program completion expectations. Students will be responsible for documenting completion of a checklist of activities reflecting these objectives. For further information on Externship requirements students should consult the MxCC Vet Tech Program Handbook.
The externship will offer a supervised experience under the direction of a licensed veterinarian, certified technician, or animal research technician through placement at an off-site veterinary hospital, private practice, or laboratory facility. Students will refine skills learned in all previous veterinary technology courses. A minimum of 200 hrs. of participation in a position relating to the veterinary technology field in a faculty-approved facility is required. Prerequisites: VET*206, VET*212, VET*230, and VET*280, each with a grade of “C” or better, and approval of the Vet Tech Program Coordinator. (New course, approved December 2019)
