Veterinary Technology (Diploma)
Curriculum Guideline
Effective Date:
Program code
DPVTEC
Discontinued
No
Program
Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Credential type
Diploma
Transcript title
Veterinary Technology Diploma
Date of first offering
Start term
202430
End term
Not Specified
Credential
Diploma in Veterinary Technology
Length of program
Two years
Credits
65.00
Admissions requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
- General College Admission Requirements
- Government regulations and program policy require students to be a minimum age of 18 years by December 31 of year of program start
- Completion of the following courses (or equivalents) by the application deadline (exception for secondary school students). Official transcripts are required (photocopies or electronic copies are not accepted):
- Chemistry 11 with a minimum of C+ (Chemistry 12 with a minimum of C+ fulfills this requirement)
- Biology 11 with a minimum of C+ (Biology 12 with a minimum of C+ fulfils this requirement)
- One grade 12 Science course with a minimum of C+ (Chemistry 12, Biology 12, Geology 12, Physics 12)
- Foundations of Math 11, Pre-Calculus 11 or Pre-calculus 12 with a minimum of C
After official transcripts have been reviewed by Enrolment Services determining that you have met the program academic prerequisites, the following additional program documents are required:
- A short Veterinary Technology Entrance Questionnaire
- A Task Observation Form (this will detail your minimum 80 hours of veterinary experience).
- Structured Reference Letters (2)
All of the above documentation must be received by the program application deadline date. It is then reviewed and ranked.
Accepted applicants will be admitted into one of two cohorts: the full time cohort will complete the Veterinary Technology diploma in 2 years (4 semesters) and the part time cohort will complete the program in 3 years (9 semesters). Applicants can indicate their preference at the time of application.
Curriculum framework
Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of 65 credits
- A minimum of 50% (33 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- A minimum grade of "C" is required in all courses
- Good academic standing
- Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 7 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.
Notes on Program Delivery (i.e. cohorts):
- Students in the full-time in-person student cohort will complete the courses listed in the first table below for graduation. The allocation of specific courses to specific semesters in the tables below is provided for information only and is subject to change.
- Students in the part-time hybrid student cohort will complete the courses listed in the second table below for graduation. The allocation of specific courses to specific semesters in the tables below is provided for information only and is subject to change.
Course requirements for full-time in-person cohort (see note)
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| Semester 1 |
||
| VTEC 1101 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1102 | Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1103 | Veterinary Nursing 1 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1112 | Veterinary Administrative Procedures | 3.00 |
| CMNS 1111 | Workplace Communications for Veterinary Technology | 3.00 |
| MATH 1183 | Mathematics for Veterinary Technology | 2.00 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| VTEC 1201 | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1202 | Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 2 | 4.00 |
| VTEC 1203 | Veterinary Nursing 2 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1204 | Veterinary Pharmacology | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1205 | Veterinary Diseases | 3.00 |
| Semester 3 |
||
| VTEC 2112 | Veterinary Elective Procedures | 3.00 |
| VTEC 2107 | Large Animal Clinics | 3.00 |
| VTEC 2108 | Veterinary Anesthesia | 3.00 |
| VTEC 2109 | Veterinary Radiography | 3.00 |
| VTEC 2110 | Animal Behavior and Welfare | 2.00 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| VTEC 2311 | Veterinary Nutrition | 2.00 |
| VTEC 2313 | Veterinary Nursing 3 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 2304 | Veterinary Surgical Assistance | 4.00 |
| VTEC 2315 | Veterinary Genetics and Reproduction | 2.00 |
| VTEC 2307 | Lab Animal and Exotics | 3.00 |
| VTEC 2309 | Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging | 2.00 |
| VTEC 2312 | VTEC Practicum 3 | 2.00 |
| Total Credits | 65.00 | |
Note: Courses are listed in their recommended order, but the order may change according to the available course offerings.
Course requirements for part-time hybrid cohort (see note 1)
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| Semester 1 |
||
| VTEC 1301 (see note 2) |
Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology Basics | 3.00 |
| CMNS 1111 (see note 2) | Workplace Communications for Veterinary Technology | 3.00 |
| Math 1183 (see note 2) | Mathematics for Veterinary Technology | 2.00 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| VTEC 1302 (see note 2) | Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1 Theory | 2.00 |
| VTEC 1303 (see note 3) |
Veterinary Nursing Skills | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1112 (see note 2) | Veterinary Administrative Procedures | 3.00 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| VTEC 1304 (see note 2) | Pharmacology Basics | 2.00 |
| VTEC 1305 (see note 2) | Systems 1 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1306 (see note 4) |
Veterinary Nursing Skills Lab | 1.00 |
| VTEC 1307 (see note 4) |
Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1 Lab | 1.00 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| VTEC 1311 (see note 5) |
Clinical Placement 1 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1313 (see note 2) | Veterinary Nursing & Animal Behaviour | 2.00 |
| VTEC 1315 (see note 2) | Systems 2 | 3.00 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| VTEC 2411 (see note 5) | Clinical Placement 2 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 1312 (see note 2) | Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 2 Theory | 2.00 |
| VTEC 2408 (see note 2) | Veterinary Anesthesia Theory | 2.00 |
| Semester 6 |
||
| VTEC 1314 (see note 4) |
Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 2 Lab | 1.00 |
| VTEC 2406 (see note 4) |
Veterinary Anesthesia Lab | 1.00 |
| VTEC 2109 (see note 3) |
Veterinary Radiography | 3.00 |
| VTEC 2112 (see note 3) |
Veterinary Elective Procedures | 3.00 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| VTEC 2401 (see note 5) | Clinical Placement 3 | 3.00 |
| VTEC 2405 (see note 2) | Systems 3 | 3.00 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| VTEC 2402 (see note 5) |
Clinical Placement 4 | 2.00 |
| VTEC 2407 (see note 2) | Large Animal Clinics Theory | 2.00 |
| VTEC 2404 (see note 2) | Lab Animal and Exotics Theory | 2.00 |
| Semester 9 | ||
| VTEC 2403 (see note 3) |
Veterinary Nursing & Career Planning | 3.00 |
| VTEC 2309 (see note 3) |
Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging | 2.00 |
| VTEC 2417 (see note 4) |
Large Animal Clinics Lab | 1.00 |
| VTEC 2414 (see note 4) |
Lab Animal & Exotics Lab | 1.00 |
| Total Credits | 65.00 | |
NOTES:
1. Courses are listed in their recommended order, but the order may change according to the available course offerings. Hybrid and in-person condensed courses will typically be offered in semesters 2, 3, 6 and 9. Students should expect to spend 1-3 weeks on-campus during these semesters.
2. This course will be fully online.
3. This course will be hybrid with a mix of in-person and online classes.
4. This is a condensed in-person course with 2-3 weeks on campus.
5. This is a work placement/practicum course.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- describe the fundamental concepts, principles, theories and terminology used in the field of Veterinary Technology;
- assess the health care and husbandry needs of different animal species and breeds;
- apply the principles and practices of Veterinary Technology in all Veterinary Industry settings, for example: mobile practice, general and specialty hospitals, shelter & rescue organisations, research, teaching and laboratories;
- collaborate and communicate effectively as part of a veterinary hospital team;
- implement and execute patient care plans as determined by the attending veterinarian;
- apply effective oral and written communication skills with animal-owning clients and the general public;
- successfully complete the Veterinary Technology National Examination in order to register in any North American jurisdiction as a Veterinary Technology professional;
- demonstrate adherence to professional and ethical frameworks in veterinary patient care service delivery;
- describe and implement legal frameworks for veterinary care.