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At Utah Career College, veterinary technology courses provide both hands-on training and medical knowledge. Instructors are experienced veterinary professionals who impart both the concepts behind veterinary work and the day-to-day skills necessary for success.
The following courses, core requirements of the Associate in Veterinary Technology degree program, are offered at campuses in West Jordan (15 miles south of Salt Lake City Center), Layton and Orem. General education requirements can be completed on any campus or through our Online Education Department.
Please call or e-mail us for more information. A representative will be happy to answer any questions about our veterinary technology program or our school.
Veterinary Technology Course Descriptions
VT100 Veterinary Medical Terminology - 4 Credits
This course is designed to help the student develop verbal and written vocabularies of the veterinary medical language. Instruction is based on the structure of medical words, including prefixes, suffixes, roots, combining forms, and plurals. Emphasis is on directional terms as well as the different body systems.
VT105 Introduction to Veterinary Technology - 3 Credits
This course is an introductory study of various aspects of veterinary medicine, including animal breeds and behavior, veterinary office paperwork and physical exams.
VT115 Introduction to Veterinary Clinical Skills - 4 Credits
Prerequisites: VT100, VT105
As a general introduction to the clinical laboratory sciences, this course serves to acquaint students with laboratory safety, OSHA regulations, medical asepsis, infection control, zoonotic diseases, glassware, specimen collection, laboratory calculations and microscopy. This course introduces the theory and practice of basic clinical skills.
VT150 Animal Anatomy & Physiology - 5 Credits
Prerequisites: VT100, VT105, NS101
This course explores the body systems of small animals. A systems approach is used to study basic anatomy, physiology and common diseases of dogs and cats.
VT175 Veterinary Pharmacology - 5 Credits
Prerequisites: VT115, VT150
Using a body systems approach, this course covers the common drugs and vaccines used in veterinary medicine. Medication administration to feline and canine patients is also covered. Calculation of drug dosages and fluid therapy is emphasized.
VT180 Imaging - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: VT115, VT150
This course covers imaging techniques of veterinary medicine including radiology and ultrasonography.
VT190 Lab Animals, Exotics, Pocket Pets - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: VT115, VT150
In this course, students study non-traditional pets relative to their nutritional requirements, reproductive cycles, preventative medicine, and common veterinary problems as well as animal husbandry.
VT200 Basic Hematology - 4 Credits
Prerequisites: VT11, VT150
This course is an introduction to veterinary hematology and immunology. Components of mammalian blood are discussed using the cat and dog as models.
VT210 Parasitology - 4 Credits
Prerequisites: VT115, VT150
Students study parasites in terms of life cycles, identification procedures, control methods, immune response and public health implications.
VT225 Vet. Urinalysis & Microbiology - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: VT115, VT150
The course covers anatomical structures of urinary systems as well as principles used for urinalysis.
VT235 Small Animal Nutrition & Nursing - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: VT115, VT150
This course discusses small animal husbandry, dealing with topics in nutrition, reproduction, housing and medical treatment as they relate to dogs and cats.
VT245 Comparative Hematology & Cytology - 4 Credits
Prerequisites: VT200
This advanced course in veterinary hematology and immunology deals with comparisons between dog and cat models and the unique variations found in other species. Specific blood borne pathogens, parasites, and immunologic diseases are also discussed.
VT250 Anesthesiology - 4 Credits
Prerequisites: VT175, VT235
This course covers veterinary anesthesia along with drug protocols and anesthetic monitoring as they relate to specific procedures.
VT255 Small Animal Surgery - 4 Credits
Prerequisite: VT25
This course covers surgical preparation, assisting, and operating room management as it pertains to veterinary medicine.
VT270 Production Animals - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: VT11, VT150
This course examines husbandry, nutrition, medicine and surgery pertaining to animals used for food production.
VT280 Equine - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: VT175, VT245
This course covers veterinary medicine, surgery, prevention medicine and husbandry as they pertain to horses.
VT290 Special Procedures in Vet. Medicine - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: VT180, VT245
This is a study of special procedures performed in veterinary medicine.
VT295 VTNE Review - 2 Credits
Prerequisite: All core courses
The purpose of this course is to prepare the student for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). The course covers strategies and tips for taking standardized tests. Students review material from all VT courses with the goal of preparing for successful completion of the VTNE.
VT299 Veterinary Externship - 10 Credits
Prerequisites: All core courses
In this course students apply skill and knowledge learned throughout the program to use in an actual veterinary setting. Each student performs a 300-hour clinical rotation in a veterinary clinic selected by the Program Director or the Extern Coordinator. A student is supervised by the veterinary office staff, evaluated by the Externship Coordinator and is not paid for this experience (since it is an extension of classroom training). Successful completion of the clinical training is required for graduation from the Veterinary Technician Program.
To find out which courses are available at which times, see the current course schedule on our students site.
Focused on Employment Opportunities in Veterinary Technology
In creating and maintaining UCC’s Veterinary Technology courses, we focus on preparing graduates for the many employment opportunities available to them as vet techs. We work closely with individual students to help them realize their career goals. Contact our Admissions Office for program information or with any other questions.