Connecting Learning, Life and Aloha
‘O ka ‘imi na‘auao, ke ola a me ke aloha kā kākou e huliāmahi ai

College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, Koleke Mahiʻai, Kālaiululāʻau, a Hoʻokele Kumuwaiwai Kūlohelohe

Animal Science Specialty - Pre-Veterinary Medicine Track

General Information

The undergraduate Animal Science specialty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has existed since 1975. In 1990, The Animal Science Pre-Veterinary Medicine curriculum was developed for students interested in pursuing post-graduate studies in Veterinary Medicine or Animal Science. CAFNRM has small class sizes which allows for more faculty-student interaction and individual attention. Animal Science classes are both technical and practical. To help translate classroom instruction into real life situations, hands-on exercises are practiced during most lab periods at the 110-acre farm with cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and swine.

Animal Science Pre-Veterinary Medicine students are required to take many of the same courses as Biology students. Because of this, it is possible for students to receive a B.S. in Agriculture and a B.S. in Biology. Another feature of this curriculum is that it meets the entrance course requirements of many Veterinary Colleges and graduate Animal Science programs. Students that enter these post-graduate programs are pursuing degrees in Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) or Animal Science (M.S., Ph.D.).

Why Study Pre-Veterinary Medicine?

This premier Pre-Veterinary Medicine curriculum meets the pre-professional course of many veterinary schools in the U.S.: i.e., Colorado State University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, Washington State University. With a D.V.M. degree, a wide range of employment opportunities exist such as private veterinary practice, representative for drug and pharmaceutical companies, university teaching and research, federal inspection, governmental research, animal care. After completing a M.S. or PH.D. degree in Animal Science, graduates can take positions as geneticists, meat scientists, nutritionists, researchers, teachers, technicians or extension livestock agents

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will achieve a working knowledge of biology, chemistry, and mathematics as a foundation for further studies.
  • Students will achieve a basic understanding in the different animal science disciplines and be able to apply this knowledge to effectively manage and care for livestock.
  • Students will have experiential learning opportunities with farm animals through routine hands-on laboratories held at the UH Hilo Agricultural Farm Laboratory. When available, field trips to local farms and ranches will also provide learning opportunities with farm animals. Students will gain hands-on experience with livestock to help enhance their competitiveness in future studies and careers.
  • Students will use and refine their communication skills in various classes.
  • Students will develop and apply their computer skills to agricultural examples.

Requirements for Graduation

This specialization is no longer accepting new students into the program, effective Fall 2020. If you are interested in these subjects, you may pursue a specialty in Animal Health and Management.

To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with a specialization in Animal Science - Pre-Veterinary Medicine, a student must complete a minimum of 123 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0. See the B.S. in Agriculture: Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Specialty Requirements in the UH Hilo Catalog. Also see the Curriculum sheet effective Fall 2016 (PDF).