University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) Bachelor Degree Program in Agricultural and Veterinary Medicine
University & College Info April 2, 2013Agricultural and Veterinary Medicine is a dual degree program offered to students who have taken courses with the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources and have completed at least 90 hours in the necessary requirements for students interested in veterinarian medicine. Students may also gain admission to veterinary school prior to completing their Bachelor degree and may want to supplement their work experience with an official degree.
About the Program
The UMCP College of Agricultural and Natural Resources is one of the most popular choices for students who want to pursue veterinary medicine. The math and science include course work in general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, calculus and genetics. Other courses may include an introduction to wildlife diseases, animal physiology and applied animal behavior.
The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinarians admission advisors will assist students preparing for applications to the veterinary schools. The UMCP campus grounds incorporate a number of convenient facilities for students in veterinarian medicine. The facilities entail modern laboratories, a surgical suite, animal rooms and a teaching farm. Internships are available through the US Department of Agriculture, the National Institutes of Health and the National Zoo, among others.
Research Projects
The perspective of the animal and avian sciences located at University of Maryland (UMD) is that its programs should extend beyond the traditional level, and enter areas that examine molecular and cellular details of animal reproduction. The Agricultural and Veterinarian Medicine program offer a number of exciting research projects. The Genetics and Cells Biology Group seek to define the genetic basis for animal growth, stem cell specification, embryonic development and nutrient deficiency.
The goals of the Pathobiology and Infectious Disease Group are to define host epigenetic modifications during infections, identify new pathways in host response and develop vaccines against animal infectious diseases using integrated strategies.
There are a number of other research groups available to students of Agricultural and Veterinary Medicine. Students can join the group Reproduction and Development, which studies wildlife preservation, embryonic animal science, the biology of growing and various effects of animal life on the environment. Nutrients and metabolism of animal life is also discussed, in order to teach students how to minimize nutrient loss to the environment.
The University of Maryland College Park Farm
The University of Maryland College Park is located in the center of a highly urbanized society, with modern buildings and facilities the dominant feature. The UMCP farm seems quaint in its peaceful setting on the college campus, but its degree programs are progressive and challenging. UMCP is one of a mere few land grant universities that actually has a fully functioning farm located on the college campus.
The University invests vigorously into the resource development of the farm. Proposed improvements include expanding and renovating current structures, creating indoor teaching spaces and streamlining the layout to move animals more efficiently throughout the farm.
The degree program is an asset for students who have chosen a course of studies in Agricultural and Natural Resources and for those who are pursuing a veterinarian career. The knowledge gained in nutritional needs, genetic structure, environmental factors and infectious animal diseases will help preserve our natural renewable resources in livestock, as well as wild animal populations. Scholarships and grants are widely available in this respected field that gives assurance to healthy animal populations.