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Overview of Veterinary Science
Veterinary science is the study of animals’ reproduction, welfare, health and diseases management.
Veterinary science courses will impart application skills and scientific knowledge needed to fulfill the roles of a veterinarian, animal researcher or as a veterinary assistant. |
Studying Veterinary Science
Universities generally expect its students to undertake a three-year Bachelor of Science programme, with a specialisation in veterinary sciences or veterinary bioscience in your final year.
Some universities offer guaranteed postgraduate pathways to its Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programmes once the first relevant degree is completed.
The duration of the first veterinary science undergraduate degree to the postgraduate degree is estimated to take about six years to complete. Similar to a medical course, students are expected to undertake housemanship in farms, veterinary hospitals or clinics. Students can also be posted to animals’ shelters.
Students keen to undertake veterinary science as a technical pathway can study veterinary science courses at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes.
The basic entry requirements for Bachelor of Science (Veterinary science) programmes are passes in English, Mathematics, and Sciences (either biology, chemistry or physics). Students keen to pursue postgraduate pathways in veterinary medicine are encouraged to undertake chemistry as a main science subject in their junior high, as this subject is a prerequisite for enrolment into several core bioscience and biology majors.
Postgraduates are expected to complete a first relevant degree for further education in veterinary sciences. Veterinary sciences graduates can also specialise in a specific animal study such as horses, or in animal ophthalmology studies.
Careers in Veterinary Sciences
Veterinary science graduates find employment in government veterinary departments and clinics, private veterinary services or hospitals, consultancies to private organisations or farms, and research sectors. They can work as researchers in disease diagnosis, food safety, animal management and urban animal welfare; surgeons aneasthetists, or radiologists.
Skills needed in Veterinary Science
Compassion and empathy towards animals are essential qualities.
More information
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