Veterinary Science (VET)

David Zeman, Head
Department of Veterinary Science
Animal Disease Research 105
605-688-5172
www.vetsci.sdstate.edu

Faculty

Professor Zeman, Head; Professors Chase, Erickson, Francis, Hamilton, Hildreth, Holler, Miskimins, Neiger, Nelson; Associate Professors Christopher-Hennings, Graham, Knudsen, Young; Assistant Professors Kaushik, Leslie-Steen; Instructor Pillatzki; Adjunct Professors Benfield, Harland, Ode, Robl, Rowland, Sathiyaseelan.

Programs

The Veterinary Science Department provides advising services for students in the pre-veterinary medicine curriculum and offers courses in the biomedical sciences for undergraduate and graduate majors in related sciences. Graduate training is supported by active research programs in natural diseases of food-producing animals and zoonotic diseases.

South Dakota does not have a professional college of veterinary medicine. A pre-veterinary medicine curriculum is offered which allows students to obtain prerequisites for application to Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in other states. Students may meet requirements in three years of pre-veterinary study, but most take four years. Many students complete a major for the Bachelor of Science Degree before entering the professional curriculum of Veterinary Medicine. Many degree options are available to students in the pre-veterinary medicine curriculum, but popular choices include Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, Dairy Science, Wildlife and Fisheries, or others. Students typically select a B.S. option late in their freshman year or during their sophomore year.

Entrance into the professional curriculum in a College of Veterinary Medicine rests with the individual applicant, and is based upon many factors including their academic record and experiences. The applicant should be aware of the challenges involved in being accepted to a College of Veterinary Medicine. Keen competition should be anticipated.

The Veterinary Science Department is home to the SD Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, the Olson Biochemistry Laboratory (SDAES), and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Vaccinology.