Course Descriptions
VET TECH INSTITUTE'S VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
AR104 Math
The student will be introduced to basic math skills, including dosage calculations that are an important part of their career. Prerequisite: None (60 Clock Hours/3 Semester Credits)
AR105 Terminology
The student will be introduced to basic terminology used in veterinary practice. Emphasis is placed on the understanding of composition of terms including the use of prefixes and suffixes. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
AR108 Pharmacology I
This course concerns all aspects of medications according to their clinical usage and method of administration. Emphasis is placed on the veterinary technician’s role in the veterinary pharmacy. This course also focuses on drug dosage calculations. Prerequisite: AR104 Math (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
AR109 Pharmacology II
This course continues its focus on all aspects of medications according to their clinical usage and method of administration. Students practice additional pharmacological dosage calculations. Prerequisite: AR108 Pharmacology I (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
AR110 General Biology
This course focuses on the biology and chemistry of the animal body including cell structure and function, metabolism, genetic composition, tissues, and basic genetic principles. This course also focuses on the understanding of the chemical elements and how they compose the body. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
AR202 Professional Development
This course focuses on the student learning effective job search techniques, resume/cover letter preparation, essential interview skills, and expected work ethics for career success. Communication skills and professionalism standards are honed via classroom lectures and discussions, instructor-prepared handouts, and textbook study. Internet job search techniques as well as relocation and program-specific information and opportunities will be discussed. Prerequisite: None (20 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
AR203 Veterinary Office Procedures
This course focuses on aspects of veterinary practice operations. Topics such as appointment scheduling, general office and billing procedures, client relations, OSHA, client education, teamwork, the veterinary technician’s role in euthanasia, and ethical situations are discussed. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
CO201 Introduction to Computers
This course introduces students to the hardware and functions of a computer. Students will be using Keyboarding Pro software to build basic typing skills. Correct keyboarding techniques are emphasized. Proper keystroking form, control of computer operations, and development of speed and accuracy are taught. Students build competence through specific drills, creation of word documents, and practice. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
EN201 Business English
Business English provides a traditional basic overview of the language skills necessary to write complete and accurate sentences, well-structured paragraphs, memos, and letters. Focus is on grammar, sentence structure, mechanics, and spelling. Additionally, students will apply basic language and research skills to prepare a written and oral presentation. Prerequisite: None (60 Clock Hours/3 Semester Credits)
GE205 Psychology of Human Relations
This course provides a general overview of foundational psychology as well as the areas of psychology that most influence the dynamic of human relationships in personal life and the workplace. The course moves from an introductory historical overview to the various schools of thought in psychology into the basics of human development, motivation, and emotion; mental health and wellness; personality/self-concept; and goal setting. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT101 Clinical Medicine I
This course focuses on animal nutrition and presents detailed information on a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals emphasizing the role nutrition plays in an animal’s overall health. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT102 Clinical Medicine II
This course builds upon Clinical Medicine I, focusing on recognition of different canine and feline breeds, dog laws, concepts of canine and feline behavior, and vaccine types and protocols for both canines and felines. Prerequisite: VT101 Clinical Medicine I (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT103 Animal Technology I
Through theory and practical application, this course teaches the student aspects of kennel care and management. Additionally, basic grooming, restraint techniques, common abbreviations, and physical exams are included. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT104 Animal Technology II
This course builds upon Animal Technology I and is focused on oral medications and procedure, eye medications and procedure, Schirmer tear test, corneal stains, glaucoma, fecal equipment and tests, and parasitology. Prerequisite: VT103 Animal Technology I (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT107 Clinical Laboratory I
This course reviews basic laboratory equipment and glassware. The student is then introduced to basic veterinary hematology with emphasis placed on normal test values of individual animal species. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT108 Clinical Laboratory II
This course builds upon Clinical Laboratory I with a more in-depth study of hematology. White blood cell components, blood transfusions, and morphology are covered. Prerequisite: VT107 Clinical Laboratory I (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT109 Surgical Nursing I
This course is designed to prepare the student to assist in all aspects of veterinary surgery. Students are introduced to aseptic surgery techniques, surgical instrumentation identification and use, patient preparation, positioning for various surgical procedures, and common veterinary suture materials and patterns. Prerequisite: AR109 Pharmacology II (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT111 Clinical Medicine III
This course is an in-depth study of canine and feline diseases. Specifically students will focus on pathology of disease, necropsy, viruses, bacteria, protozoal and vector-borne diseases, zoonosis, dermatology, and the endocrine system. Prerequisite: VT102 Clinical Medicine II (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT112 Clinical Medicine IV
This course is a continuation of Clinical Medicine III. Diseases of the reproductive system, neurological system, musculoskeletal system, and cardiorespiratory system are presented. Prerequisite: VT111 Clinical Medicine III (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT113 Animal Technology III
This course builds upon Animal Technology II with an emphasis on sample collection. Instruction will cover sample collection of both urine and blood specimens through various routes as well as giving injections through various routes. Prerequisite: VT104 Animal Technology II (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT114 Animal Technology IV
This course focuses on more advanced techniques such as laboratory animal research, including care and maintenance, disease process, blood collection procedures, anesthesia administration, and regulatory requirements for rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and ferrets. Prerequisite: VT113 Animal Technology III (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT115 Clinical Laboratory III
This course builds upon Clinical Laboratory II, with emphasis placed on further individual animal species testing to include: Felv/Fiv testing, brucellosis testing, heartworm testing, urinalysis, and blood analyzers. Prerequisite: VT108 Clinical Laboratory II (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT116 Clinical Laboratory IV
This course builds upon Clinical Laboratory III. Students will learn the principles of cytology, as well as types of testing for diseases. Students will also learn the principles and perform basic microbiology techniques as well as collect, culture, stain, identify, and perform sensitivity testing on bacterial specimens, as well as fluid therapy, electrocardiograms, and dentistry. Prerequisite: VT115 Clinical Laboratory III (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT117 Anesthesia I
This course concerns all aspects of the anesthetic process, anesthetic agents used in veterinary medicine and their effects, including the anesthetic equipments functions and use. The student will apply mathematical skills to practice dosage calculations using common anesthetics. The veterinary technician’s role in relationship to the veterinarian is a key point of study. Prerequisite: AR104 Math (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT118 Anesthesia II
This course provides a more in-depth approach to all phases of the administration of anesthesia in both the pre- and post-operative phases of treatment as well as fluid therapy, electrocardiograms, and dentistry. Prerequisite: VT117 Anesthesia I (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT119 Animal Anatomy & Physiology I
This course concerns the structure and function of the animal body and its parts. Instruction is geared toward tissues, skeletal system, nervous system, endocrine system, and sense organs. Prerequisite: None (60 Clock Hours/3 Semester Credits)
VT120 Animal Anatomy & Physiology II
This course builds on Animal Anatomy & Physiology I. In this course the structure and function of the circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, excretory/renal, reproductive, and integumentary systems are studied. Emphasis is placed on the clinical use of anatomy and physiology in veterinary medicine. Prerequisite: VT119 Animal Anatomy & Physiology I (60 Clock Hours/3 Semester Credits)
VT201 Clinical Medicine V
This course is a continuation of Clinical Medicine IV. Diseases of the digestive system and renal system will be discussed. The focus in the remainder of the course is emergency management and the veterinary technician’s role in emergency situations. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: proper methods of evaluating an animal in an emergency situation, how disease processes manifest as emergencies, and the equipment and medications used during emergencies. Prerequisite: VT112 Clinical Medicine IV (60 Clock Hours/3 Semester Credits)
VT202 Animal Technology V
This course focuses on more advanced techniques, including care and maintenance, disease process, blood collection procedures, anesthesia administration, and regulatory requirements for exotics, primates, avians, reptiles, amphibians, chinchillas, and hedgehogs. Prerequisite: VT114 Animal Technology IV (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT203 Animal Technology VI
This course builds upon Animal Technology V with an emphasis placed on more advanced techniques, such as advanced surgical procedures, bandaging and wound management, orthopedics, and special procedures including feeding tubes. Prerequisite: VT202 Animal Technology V (40 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT204 Surgical Nursing II
This course is designed to permit the students to apply all skills and the knowledge acquired in Pharmacology, Anesthesia, and Surgical Nursing I to perform actual surgical assisting roles. Students will gain experience in anesthesia administration, sterile and non-sterile assisting, patient preparation, surgical clean up, and recovery of their patient. These duties will be performed as part of a student team under the supervision of the staff veterinarian and licensed instructor. Prerequisite: VT118 Anesthesia II, AR109 Pharmacology, and VT109 Surgical Nursing I (32 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT205 Radiography I
This course includes the theory of radiography, methods for exposing and developing films, animal restraint, proper positioning, radiation safety, film reading and error identification, correction, and prevention. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT206 Radiography II
This course builds upon the first radiography course with students beginning their practical hands-on repetitions to achieve competency in taking and developing radiographs. This course also focuses on the theory and application of ultrasonography, endoscopy, and fluroscopy. Prerequisite: VT205 Radiography I (32 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT207 Large Animal Theory I
This course will introduce the student to farm animal medicine. The student will become acquainted with anatomy, breed identification, management, restraint methods, physical exams, reproduction, nutrition, and husbandry. Prerequisite: None (20 Clock Hours/1 Semester Credit)
VT208 Large Animal Theory II
This course continues theories introduced in Large Animal Theory I to include more in- depth information on diseases for farm animal species such as horses, pigs, and cattle. Herd health maintenance measures are also discussed. Prerequisite: VT207 Large Animal Theory I (45 Clock Hours/3 Semester Credits)
VT209 Large Animal Practicum
The large animal practicum introduces students to interactions with large animals in offsite hands-on settings. Students gain experience with and exposure to a wide variety of farm animals. Emphasis is placed on the basic skills of large animal care, handling, restraint, physical exams, and blood collection. Radiographic positioning relevant to large animal practice is also demonstrated. Students are evaluated primarily by their participation and ability to execute practical skills introduced and developed during this course. Prerequisite: VT207 Large Animal Theory I (45 Clock Hours/1 Semester)
VT210 VTNE Preparation
This course is a comprehensive review of both theory and practical application. It is designed to prepare the student to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam. Discussions will be followed by exams formatted and timed using parameters similar to the actual test. Prerequisite: None (40 Clock Hours/2 Semester Credits)
VT211 Vet Tech Externship
This unpaid externship is scheduled in the last 8 instructional weeks of the program. Externships are served in a veterinarian’s office, a veterinarian clinic or hospital, or other animal facility. The externship experience provides the student with the opportunity to build upon the clinical and practical skills learned in the classroom. Prerequisites: VT203 Animal Technology VI, VT116 Clinical Laboratory IV, VT204 Surgical Nursing II, and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 prior to start of externship. (270 Clock Hours/6 Semester Credits)