Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Major
Animal health, up close and personal.
Penn State Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences is hands-on, science-heavy preparation for veterinary school. Grads thrive at top veterinary, medical, and other biomedical programs, and work, teach, and conduct biomedical research.
Don’t just go to veterinary, medical, or other professional schools. Thrive there.
The Penn State Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences major is a small, tight-knit community united by a fascination with animal health and well-being.
Faculty and staff are committed to ensuring you get the personalized attention you need to meet your goals. If that goal is veterinary school, we strive to put you in the best possible position to not only get an acceptance letter but excel once you get there.
Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences is the right major if you’re:
- an aspiring veterinarian, doctor, or other biomedical professional
- passionate about caring for animals
- a solid science student
- fascinated with applying scientific principles to real-life situations
- focused on issues like emerging diseases, food safety, and control and prevention of animal diseases
See the University Bulletin for details on program requirements, suggested academic plan, and more.
Ag Journeys
“I’ve known I wanted to be a vet since I was a kid. But I always saw myself taking care of dogs or cats—you know, the classic veterinarian. Until now.”
–Luke Trimble
The classroom is only the beginning.
You’ll study with best-in-class faculty with years of experience teaching and practicing animal medicine, but they’ll be the first to tell you that the classroom and lab are just the beginning of your Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences experience. You bring the interest, and we’ll help you find a faculty-guided club, internship, externship, or hands-on research opportunity for that.
Craft your experience.
Related clubs and teams
- Pre-Vet Club
- Dairy Science Club
- Livestock Judging Team
- Poultry Science Club
- Small and Exotic Animal Club
- See all clubs and teams
Recent internships
- Assistant at large and small animal veterinarian clinics
- Caretaker at city zoos and aquariums
- Farm hand
Recent workshops and professional demonstrations
- Avian dissection
- Bandaging
- Chemical immobilization
- Suturing
- Ultrasound
A practical, workforce-ready degree—and a college experience you’ll love.
Penn State Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences grads walk off the stage at graduation, and walk into world-class veterinary programs, biomedical research positions, and stellar careers all over the world. You can harness the awesome power of a truly unique education at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Our alumni out in the world
- Animal food producers
- Biotechnology companies
- Government agencies
- Graduate or veterinary school
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Public health
- Private practices
- Private research laboratories
- University research laboratories
Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Career Options
A Penn State Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences degree paves the way to a career you want in agriculture, business, and more. Here's food for thought—a few jobs our alumni work in now:
Practitioner veterinarian (upon completion of veterinary school)
A practitioner veterinarian is a medical doctor who diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent diseases and injuries in animals. Depending on the practice, practitioner vets treat either individual animals or care for herd health.
What will I do?
- Perform surgeries, vaccinate, diagnose, and medicate animals
- Advise owners on how to best take care of their animals
- Vaccinate against diseases like distemper and rabies
- Train and supervise veterinary technicians
Military veterinarian (upon completion of veterinary school)
A military veterinarian is an animal doctor and military officer who treats diseases, disorders, and injuries in animals.
What will I do?
- Serve as an officer in the U.S. Army within the United States and around the world
- Diagnose animal illnesses using tests such as X-rays, EKGs, and blood samples
- Perform minor to complex surgery, depending on training
- Make recommendations on animal feeding, behavior, and breeding
Biomedical researcher
A biomedical researcher is a scientist who investigates aspects of human and animal health with the aim of finding new ways to improve well-being.
What will I do?
- Use advanced medical equipment and systems to perform experiments
- Study the effects of various drugs and treatments
- Make recommendations to the medical community on possible treatments
Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences students in the news
June 28, 2023
Alumnus commits estate gift to Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences research fund
Jay Hreiz, owner and veterinarian at the Queen City Animal Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, has committed $100,000 from his future estate to the research fund in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.
Read MoreDecember 5, 2022
College of Ag Sciences minority alumni return to campus, discuss their journeys
Four graduates of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently returned to campus to discuss success in class to success in life as guest speakers on a minority alumni panel, hosted by the college’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Read MoreJanuary 7, 2022
International agriculture minor helps put Penn State grad on path to vet school
During her senior capstone class in international agriculture, Penn State alumna Abigail Seeley worked on a grant proposal that has proved valuable as she works to become a veterinarian.
Read MoreMay 18, 2021
College of Ag Sciences students recognized in Diversity Essay Contest
Three students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have been recognized for their commitment to diversity as winners of the second annual Undergraduate Diversity Essay Contest, which is sponsored by the college’s Diversity Coordinating Council.
Read More