MCCCD Program Description

Major: 3015 Catalog Year: 2024-2025 Effective Term: 2023 Fall Last Admit Term: 9999 Award: AAS Total Credits: 83-92.5 CIP Code: 01.8301	Primary College: Mesa Community College Initiating College: Mesa Community College Program Availability: Not Found Program Availability: College-Specific Program Availability: MC Field of Interest: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Instructional Council: Agriculture/Equine Science (02) GPA: 2.00
SOC Code: Upon completion of this degree, students may pursue a career as: 29.2056 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Description: The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Veterinary Technology program prepares students for careers in veterinary technology which require knowledge and skills involving basic medical sciences, animal care and management, veterinary medical care, and client communications and service. Veterinary technicians function as the paraprofessional assistants to veterinarians, biomedical researchers, other scientists, and animal control and humane organizations. Instruction includes practical clinical internship experience in veterinary emergency, large animal, small animal, and specialty practices, as well as in zoos, laboratories, humane societies, and other facilities.

Learning Outcomes
1. Participate in business and facility management by creating, maintaining, and filing appointment schedules, patient/client records, financial records, logs and inventory records, and by demonstrating effective client communication skills. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111, EQS162VT, VET101, VET101LL, VET112, VET132, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, CRE101, (COM), [SB]) 2. Utilize computers and computer software programs to facilitate creation, storage, and retrieval of data files. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111, EQS162VT, VET101, VET101LL, VET112, VET132, VET230, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, BPC110, CIS105) 3. Prepare and perform clinical laboratory specimen analysis, including hematology, urinalysis, blood chemistry, hemostasis, serology, cytology, parasitology, and necropsy. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111, VET112, VET200, VET201, VET210, VET235, VET240, BIO181, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, MAT120, MAT121, MAT122, MAT126) 4. Compare and contrast the anatomy and physiology of common domestic animals, and apply that knowledge to performing common clinical procedures and treatments. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111, EQS105, EQS162VT, VET101, VET101LL, VET112, VET140, VET150, VET150LL, VET151, VET230, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, BIO181, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL) 5. Perform proper techniques of basic husbandry, restraint and handling, physical examination and assessment, medication administration, clinical specimen collection, and medical treatment in a variety of animal species. (EQS105, EQS162VT, VET101, VET101LL, VET112, VET200, VET201, VET210, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, MAT120, MAT121, MAT122, MAT126) 6. Assess the life-stage nutritional requirements for well animals, identify common feeds and feeding practices, and communicate the special nutritional requirements and feeding of diseases animals. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111, EQS105, EQS162VT, VET112, VET201, VET210, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, BIO181, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, (COM), MAT120, MAT121, MAT122, MAT126) 7. Demonstrate proper use and maintenance of veterinary diagnostic, surgical, and therapeutic equipment. (EQS162VT, VET112, VET200, VET201, VET210, VET230, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, BIO181, BIO205) 8. Identify therapeutic drugs, vaccines, and supplements used in veterinary medicine, and effectively communicate their mechanisms, common uses, side effects, and regulatory considerations. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111, EQS162VT, VET112, VET201, VET210, VET220, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, BIO181, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, (COM)) 9. Perform pharmacologic calculations, interpret and follow pharmacy orders, prepare and dispense drug prescriptions, and communicate drug information the diverse client. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111, EQS162VT, VET112, VET220, VET230, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, BIO181, BIO205, CHM130, CHM130LL, (COM), [HU], MAT120, MAT121, MAT122, MAT126) 10. Operate and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment, and safely produce a variety of diagnostic images of animals. (EQS162VT, VET112, VET230, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD) 11. Evaluate common veterinary anesthetic, surgical, and emergency procedures; perform surgical patient preparation, anesthetic monitoring, and surgical assistance. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111, EQS162VT, VET112, VET201, VET210, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, BIO181, BIO205, MAT120, MAT121, MAT122, MAT126) 12. Differentiate common diseases of domestic animals, their agents, and principles of disease prevention and treatment. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111, EQS105, EQS162VT, VET101, VET101LL, VET112, VET140, VET151, VET201, VET210, VET220, VET223, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, BIO181, BIO205) 13. Utilize medical terminology in verbal and written communication and explain the principles of ethics and legal issues in veterinary technology. (ENG101, ENG107, ENG102, ENG108, ENG111,EQS105, EQS162VT, VET101, VET101LL, VET112, VET132, VET140, VET150, VET150LL, VET151, VET200, VET201, VET220, VET223, VET230, VET235, VET240, VET250AA, VET250AB, VET250AC, VET250AD, CRE101, [HU]) 14. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)

Program Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Admission Criteria
High school graduation or G.E.D. equivalency. Formal application and admission to the Veterinary Technology program.

Required Courses

+ BIO181 General Biology (Majors) I 4
+ BIO205 Microbiology 4

BPC110 Computer Usage and Applications (3) OR
CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems (3) 3

+ CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry (3) AND
+ CHM130LL Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory (1) 4

+ CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR
Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0) 0-3

+ ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) OR
+ ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) 3

+ ENG102 First-Year Composition (3) OR
+ ENG108 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) OR
+ ENG111 Technical and Professional Writing (3) 3

+ EQS105 Principles of Equine Science 3

EQS162VT Equine Management for the Veterinary Technician (2) OR
+ VET250AB Veterinary Technician Internship (0.5) 0.5-2

FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) 1-3

+ MAT120 Intermediate Algebra (5) OR
+ MAT121 Intermediate Algebra (4) OR
+ MAT122 Intermediate Algebra (3) OR
MAT126 Intermediate Algebra with Review (6) OR
+ MAT150 College Algebra/Functions (5) OR
Equivalent or higher course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area (3-6) 3-6
Note: MAT14+ is not accepted.

VET101 Introduction to Veterinary Technology 3
+ VET101LL Animal Care Skills I Laboratory 2
+ VET112 Animal Nursing I 2
+ VET132 Veterinary Office Management and Client Communication 3

+ VET140 Animal Care Skills II (2) 4
Note: VET140 must be repeated for 4 credits

+ VET150 Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology I 3
+ VET150LL Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I 1
+ VET151 Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II 3
+ VET200 Veterinary Clinical Pathology Methods 2

+ VET201 Animal Care Skills III (2) 4
Note: VET201 must be repeated for 4 credits

+ VET210 Animal Nursing II 3
+ VET220 Veterinary Pharmacology for the Veterinary Technician 3
+ VET223 Animal Diseases 3
+ VET230 Veterinary Radiology and Imaging for the Veterinary Technician 3
+ VET235 Veterinary Technician Proficiency 2
+ VET240 Veterinary Anesthesia, Surgery, and Emergency Nursing 3
+ VET250AA Veterinary Technician Internship 0.5
+ VET250AC Veterinary Technician Internship 0.5
+ VET250AD Veterinary Technician Internship 0.5

Credits: 74-83.5

Restricted Electives
	Credits: 0

General Electives
	Credits:

General Education Requirements

General Education Requirement	Credits: 9

General Education Core	Credits: 3

First-Year Composition	Credits: 0
Met by any combination of ENG courses in Required Courses

Oral Communication	Credits: 3
Any approved general education course in the Oral Communication area. 3

Critical Reading	Credits: 0
Met by CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment in Required Courses

Mathematics	Credits: 0
Met by MAT12+ or MAT15+ in Required Courses area

General Education Distribution	Credits: 6

Humanities, Arts and Design	Credits: 3
Any approved general education course in the Humanities, Arts and Design area. 3

Social-Behavioral Sciences	Credits: 3
ECN100 Economics in American Society (3) OR ECN211 Macroeconomic Principles (3) OR ECN212 Microeconomic Principles (3) 3

Natural Sciences	Credits: 0
Met by BIO181 in Required Courses

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 28, 2022

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.