Students in the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences are offered three different majors. The bachelor of science (BS) in agriculture provides the necessary background in agricultural economics, agronomy, breeding, nutrition, pathology, and physiology to prepare for a career in animal, dairy, or poultry production and management. Food sciences courses are available if you are interested in opportunities in food processing related to dairy, poultry, and meat products. The BS in animal and veterinary sciences and the BS in agricultural biochemistry, as pre-professional programs, provide the necessary background in agricultural biochemistry, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and modern concepts of biology in preparation for professional schools of veterinary medicine, human medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, or graduate study in agricultural biochemistry, animal breeding, animal physiology, and nutrition. Each year, the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Pre-Professional Program gives West Virginia residents the opportunity to meet the academic requirements for entry into professional schools or colleges of veterinary medicine. WVU has agreements with Ohio State University and with the Southern Regional Education Board. Applicants for admission to these colleges of veterinary medicine must present at least 78 semester hours of acceptable credit. Majors in the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences Agribusiness Management & Rural Development B Agricultural & Extension Education B, M Agricultural & Resource Economics M Agriculture Education M Agriculture, Forestry, & Consumer Sciences M Agronomy B, M Animal & Food Sciences D Animal & Veterinary Sciences B, M Basic Sciences B Biochemistry B Child Development & Family Studies B, M Entomology M Environmental Microbiology M Environmental & Natural Resource Economics B Environmental Protection B Family & Consumer Sciences M Forest Resources Management B Forest Resources Science D Forestry M Genetics & Developmental Biology M, D Horticulture B, M Human Nutrition & Foods B Interior Design B Landscape Architecture B Natural Resource Economics D Plant Pathology M Plant & Soil Sciences D Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Resources B, M Reproductive Physiology M, D Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising B Wildlife & Fisheries Resources B, M Wood Science & Technology B B = Bachelor's; M = Master's; D = Doctorate For more information, contact Paul E. Lewis at 304-293-2631, ext. 4420, Paul.Lewis@mail.wvu.edu or visit the Web site at: www.caf.wvu.edu/college/ academics/avs.html

The WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences
The Davis College has 18 undergraduate major fields of study that are divided into five academic divisions: Animal and Veterinary Sciences; Family and Consumer Sciences; Forestry; Plant and Soil Sciences; and Resource Management. The excellent instructional facilities of the Davis College offer many learning opportunities. The Agricultural Sciences Building contains most offices, classrooms, and laboratories for agricultural programs. Percival Hall houses the Division of Forestry’s offices, classrooms, and laboratories, including the wood processing facilities. In Allen Hall, Family and Consumer Science classes are held, and the laboratory nursery school is located on the Evansdale Campus. Maintaining eight farms, two campus greenhouses, and more than 8,000 acres of forest land for teaching and research, the Davis College offers students a variety of educational opportunities with hands-on experiences.

Students are offered fields of study that complement various careers. The study of ecology is interwoven throughout courses to offer students the education necessary for careers emphasizing the protection of environmental quality and the management, utilization, and conservation of our soil, water, forests, wildlife, domestic animals, food, and fiber.

Admission
Students who meet University admission requirements may be accepted directly into the Davis College as Animal and Veterinary Sciences majors.

Curriculum
In the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, students take courses such as agricultural biochemistry, animal production, breeding and genetics, food science, nutrition, pathology, and physiology. To prepare for various careers in animal agriculture, the Division requires students to enroll in supporting courses in other divisions of the Davis College and in other colleges. All three degree programs have significant flexibility and permit students to obtain a broad background and to specialize in areas of interest. To earn a bachelor of science in agriculture while following the Animal and Veterinary Sciences curriculum, 136 total credit hours are required.

Course work includes 45 credit hours in agriculture with a minimum of three credit hours each in animal science, plant science, soil science, and agricultural economics. Food sciences courses are available for students interested in preparing for food processing opportunities related to dairy, poultry, and meat products.

The pre-professional programs are also flexible, and their concentration is in biological and natural sciences and mathematics. Included in the requirements for the bachelor of science degree are 40 credit hours in the natural sciences, a minimum of two courses each in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, and 24 credit hours in agriculture.

Course Work

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Career Opportunities
Positions for employment are available in numerous settings, including private industry, education, and federal and state agencies. Career opportunities include animal, dairy, and poultry production; testing and inspecting; technical sales; and basic research.

Graduate School Opportunities
Advanced degrees in animal science, medicine, dentistry, and biological/life sciences prepare graduates for careers in medical and veterinary sciences; research; consulting/marketing for livestock ranchers, dairy farmers, and feedlot managers; nutrition; genetics; animal behavior; and animal management.

Salary Range
Earnings for an entry-level bachelor’s degree holder are reported at $22,381. The average salary for a federal employee is $48,827. The highest salaries go to animal scientists with a doctoral degree who work in research, marketing, or development for industry.