Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences , BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Pennsylvania State University University Park

Program Overview

The Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Penn State provides a science-intensive foundation in animal and human health, combining biological and physical sciences with veterinary and biomedical applications. It is particularly suited to students interested in veterinary medicine, biomedical research, health sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or other science-based careers.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:

Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as CHEM 110: Chemical Principles I, CHEM 111: Experimental Chemistry I, and MATH 140: Calculus With Analytic Geometry I, alongside general education coursework. The first-year plan also introduces students to the field through VBSC 50: Mechanisms of Disease, which connects disease concepts with veterinary and biomedical careers.

Second Year:

Students build deeper knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and animal science through courses such as BIOL 114: Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity, PHYS 250: Introductory Physics I, and ANSC 201: Animal Science. Organic chemistry and laboratory-based biology courses further strengthen the scientific preparation needed for veterinary and biomedical study.

Third Year:

Students move into more specialized biomedical subjects through BMB 401: General Biochemistry, VBSC 211: The Immune System and Disease, and MICRB 201: Introductory Microbiology, developing an understanding of biochemical processes, immunity, infectious disease, and microorganisms. Students also study genetics and animal nutrition through courses such as BIOL 222: Genetics and ANSC 301: Principles of Animal Nutrition.

Fourth Year:

The final year emphasizes advanced veterinary and biomedical knowledge through VBSC/BIOL 421: Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, VBSC 403: Principles of Animal Disease Control, and ANSC 423: Comparative Physiology of Domestic Animals or BIOL 472: Human Physiology. Students also select 400-level supporting courses, allowing them to develop greater depth in areas such as animal health, immunology, toxicology, neurobiology, or wildlife science.

Focus Areas:

Animal Health, Veterinary Science, Human and Comparative Health, Biomedical Research, Immunology, Infectious Disease, Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiology, Toxicology, Wildlife Science, Biotechnology.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop competency in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, and immunology; learn to critically evaluate scientific literature; apply research data to animal health and disease management; communicate scientific information effectively; and prepare for postgraduate study or science-related careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences B.S. is an academic science degree designed to prepare students for veterinary school, graduate programs, and biomedical careers rather than a separately licensed professional veterinary degree. Penn State states that the program includes the required coursework for admission to most veterinary schools, while students seeking veterinary practice must subsequently complete an accredited veterinary medicine program.

Reputation (Employability & Outcomes):

Penn State describes the program as preparing graduates for veterinary, medical, and biomedical graduate programs, as well as careers in biomedical research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, government, public health, and animal health. The university also highlights alumni working with organizations and sectors including FDA, USDA, CDC, Merck, and Zoetis.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Penn State, students get practical exposure through hands-on, science-focused coursework and access to research opportunities in animal health, diagnostics, immunology, infectious disease, molecular toxicology, and biomedical science. The program provides opportunities to participate in faculty research through VBSC 496 Independent Study, where students can work in research laboratories and develop skills in experimental techniques, data analysis, experimental design, troubleshooting, scientific communication, and collaboration.

Students also benefit from Penn State’s Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building, which includes research laboratories, a vivarium, instructional spaces, and shared equipment such as qPCR machines, microscopes, imaging systems, cell-culture facilities, thermocyclers, and histology equipment. The university’s Animal Diagnostic Laboratory provides an additional research and diagnostic environment covering areas such as molecular diagnostics, bacteriology, pathology, virology, parasitology, and serology/immunology.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

VBSC 496 Independent Study: Third- and fourth-year students can participate in ongoing faculty research projects, gaining hands-on and team-oriented research experience.
Undergraduate Research: Students can join research projects involving techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, molecular cloning, and laboratory assays, while developing experimental design and data-analysis skills.
Animal Diagnostic Laboratory: Students can pursue independent-study opportunities connected with the university’s full-service animal health diagnostic laboratory, subject to available positions.
Laboratory Facilities: The Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building provides access to qPCR, microscopy, imaging, cell culture, thermocyclers, histology equipment, freezers, and a vivarium supporting research and teaching.
Diagnostic Research: The Animal Diagnostic Laboratory includes specialized sections covering molecular diagnostics, histology, bacteriology, parasitology, virology, pathology, and serology/immunology.
Research Areas: Students can connect their interests with faculty research in animal diagnostics, immunology and infectious disease, molecular toxicology and carcinogenesis, and veterinary extension.
Penn State Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences: The department specifically directs undergraduate students toward researchers within the Huck Institutes when exploring potential research opportunities.
Animal Resource Program: Penn State’s Animal Resource Program provides animal-care facilities, veterinary clinical and diagnostic services, research support, and training for personnel involved in animal research and teaching.
Collaborative Research Environment: The new 105,000-square-foot Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building was designed with open laboratory spaces and areas that encourage collaboration among faculty, staff, and students.

Facilities and Resources:

Students in the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Penn State have access to the Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building, which includes research and teaching laboratories, a vivarium, instructional spaces, and equipment such as qPCR machines, microscopes, imaging systems, cell-culture facilities, thermocyclers, and histology equipment. Students can also benefit from the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, with facilities supporting molecular diagnostics, bacteriology, pathology, virology, parasitology, and serology/immunology, as well as research opportunities through the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and Penn State’s Animal Resource Program.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Penn State prepares graduates for veterinary, medical, graduate, and biomedical pathways, while also providing a foundation for employment in research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, animal health, public health, and laboratory science. The program’s curriculum is designed to support both postgraduate study and direct entry into science-related careers, giving students flexibility as their interests develop.

Typical job roles include: Biomedical Researcher, Pharmaceutical Professional, Animal Health Sales Professional, Laboratory Research Professional.

Career development and professional opportunities include:

Career Services: Penn State Career Services provides career counseling and coaching, résumé and interview support, internship and job-search guidance, career fairs, employer events, and access to Nittany Lion Careers, the university’s career management system with employer opportunities.
Internships and employer experience: Recent opportunities listed by Penn State include internships with Merck Animal Health, a USDA APHIS Fellowship at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, veterinary hospitals, zoos and aquariums, and the Penn State–Mars preveterinary student internship.
University–industry and research connections: Students benefit from the department’s connections with organizations and sectors including FDA, USDA, CDC, Merck, and Zoetis, while the department also works with the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State Cancer Institute, and Clinical and Translational Science Institute on interdisciplinary research.
Veterinary-school preparation: The program includes the minimum requirements of nearly all U.S. veterinary schools in its eight-semester plan, and dedicated advisers help students with course selection and experiences relevant to veterinary-school applications.
Employment and salary figures: Penn State’s official program and career pages identify employment areas and employers but do not provide a program-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure on the sources reviewed, so no unsupported sa.lary estimate is included here.
Accreditation and long-term value: The B.S. is an academic preparation for veterinary and biomedical pathways rather than a professional veterinary degree. For students pursuing veterinary practice, Penn State states that the major prepares them for admission to veterinary schools, after which they complete an accredited veterinary medicine program.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates move into veterinary, medical, and other graduate programs or into biomedical research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, animal health, public health, government, and related science careers.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can continue into veterinary school, medical school, graduate programs, or other advanced biomedical and health-related programs. Penn State’s Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences also offers graduate study, with opportunities to pursue advanced work connected to areas such as biomedical science, animal health, immunology and infectious disease, and molecular toxicology