<p>I am currently a sophmore at a community college majoring in pre-veterinary medicine. I am about to apply to schools that I will transfer to to finish my bachelors degree (and then, hopefully, continue on to veterinary school).</p>
<p>I just recently learned about the animal science major. Before, I had intended on pursuing a degree in biology. But the Animal Sciences major really sounds interesting.</p>
<p>My plan "B," if I do not get into veterinary school is to try for "human" medical school or to go on to graduate school. </p>
<p>My question is, can you have a different undergraduate degree than the graduate school you apply to? For example, could I major in Animal Sciences now, and then apply to a graduate school in the biology disciplne?</p>
<p>well, i don’t think it’s a good idea to major in animal science for medical school. i’m not sure about grad school in biology, though. as long as you make sure the curriculum includes classes in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, etc. then you should be fine. it might not be a good thing if all your classes were about animals or whatever.</p>
<p>and people from all sorts of backgrounds can definitely go to biology grad school. i’m a physics/math major and i’m going to be applying to a biosciences phd. my advisors are physicists and mathematicians. it’s definitely possible.</p>
<p>My ultimate goal is to go to vet school. But, I realize the odds of acceptance are slim. So, I am just mapping out my plan “B.” As far as graduate school in the biological sciences - what are the typical pre-reqs? I looked at the websites of some of the schools that I would be interested in and I did not find any mention of pre-req courses. I am interested in staying in the midwest/illinois region for now. So, I briefly looked at some of the Illinois and Wisconsin schools.</p>
<p>For grad school there aren’t strict pre-requisite courses. I don’t know what the animal science curriculum is like, but it probably satisfies most of the classes you’d need. Harvard BBS says: “to qualify for admission, applicants must demonstrate strong enthusiasm and ability for the vigorous pursuit of scientific knowledge. Minimal requirements include a bachelor’s degree and undergraduate preparation in calculus, physics, biology, and chemistry, both physical and organic.” That’s pretty typical, sans maybe the p-chem. Also, a semester or two of biochemistry is a good idea. I imagine the biology part is probably cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, and a couple of others like developmental or microbiology or stuff like that. It’s really dependent on your research interests.</p>
<p>I live in Illinois and would like to go to the University of Illinois Veterinary School. Should I go there for my undergraduate degree? I have heard that you should do your undergraduate work at a university with a veterinary school (networking, resources, etc.). But, wouldn’t there also be alot more competition there?</p>
<p>Also, is Animal Sciences or Biology a better major? At UIUC, the Animal Sciences seems to be geared more towards to pre-vet students. But, if I didn’t get into veterinary school I am not sure where that degree could lead me to. What could I do with an advanced degree in animal science?</p>
<p>If you mean how far will a BS degree in Animal Science take you: not very far–but neither will a BS in Biology. If you go the “Science, biotechnology, and pre-veterinary medicine” concentration route within the Animal Science degree and choose your electives wisely (eg, don’t take “meat science”), it will probably get you just as far as a Biology degree for med/grad school (provided you take the pre-reqs and do research and all that). It looks like Animal Science is easier than a standard Biology degree, so that could play in your favor for vet/med school admissions (though if you add in the med school pre-reqs it’s probably about the same).</p>
<p>Study the pre-reqs for both of those advanced degrees, and make sure you fulfill them. To get in med school (and I assume vet school), you don’t have to major in the sciences as long as you take the proper science courses and do well in them. I’ve known two English majors who have gone on to med school.</p>
<p>I LOVE biology and animals! I don’t really like to study plants that much So, I think that I would like the Animal Sciences degree more. Also, it would definately provide me with more experience with animals. But, if for some horrible reason I can’t get into vet school, or I am totally burned out at the end of school, or something catastrophic happens, etc. would the animal sciences degree be about the same as the biology degree? Or, is one more advantageous than the other?</p>
<p>I work in the biology lab (mostly microbiology) at my college, and I really love working there! Do you think I could still major in Animal Sciences, and as sarbruis said “choose electives wisely” and I could still be qualified for lab jobs (in comparison to a general biology degree)? Do employers care more about what your degree title is (e.g. Biology, Public Health, Animal Science, etc.), what classes you have taken (immunology, microbiology, cell biology, organic chemistry, etc.), or what experience you have?</p>
<p>I really like the curriculum for the Animal Science degree. But, if I don’t get into vet school, would I still be qualified to work in biotechnology or in other areas? I don’t mind working in the agriculture industry, I just don’t personally want to be a farmer.</p>
<p>When I did the job search between undergrad and grad, I put the titles of courses that were relevant to the job I was applying for right on my resume. My undergrad major was Bacteriology and that might have seemed a bit narrow to potential employers. FWIW I think you should fulfill the requirements for whatever major you like but pay attention to required courses for grad school, vet school, public health and medical programs. They are all pretty similar in their requirements and shouldn’t present much of a challenge to fit in and they will maximize the options you have for post graduate work in a few years.</p>
<p>You do not have to study plants in biology! I would stick with bio or molecular bio either way. Some PIs will throw a fit with animal science. As a grad student I get comments about my other “weird” major all of the time, but I also have the classical biology degree to go along with it. </p>
<p>For both grad school and med school you will probably be better off with strait bio or molecular bio. Both of them will not be happy to take non-successful vet applicants, so you need to decrease anything that would suggest that is why they have your app (animal science may be indicative of this).</p>
So, I think that I would like the Animal Sciences degree more. Also, it would definately provide me with more experience with animals. But, if for some horrible reason I can’t get into vet school, or I am totally burned out at the end of school, or something catastrophic happens, etc. would the animal sciences degree be about the same as the biology degree? Or, is one more advantageous than the other?</p>