Small Animal Science (B.S.)

A focus on small and companion animals opens the door to a wide range of goals from veterinary school to careers in wildlife biology, conservation, game management, zoo and aquarium management, biomedical and pharmaceutical research, wildlife rehabilitation, and more.


Our small animal science program provides students with comprehensive liberal arts and science education that focuses on the study of companion and small animal species. The program combines a broad background in life sciences with classes that focus specifically on small animals and biotechnology.

Our unique blend of education and experience will prepare you for graduate school including veterinary school or a variety of careers in animal science. In our hands-on program you will learn about:

  • small animal handling and care
  • disease
  • behavior
  • nutrition
  • training
  • husbandry
  • management
100%
real-world experience
Four college-aged students walking together under some trees.
College-aged students in a classroom.
$28,000
average scholarship and grant amount awarded to freshmen in 2023-24
14:1
student to faculty ratio
College-aged students in a classroom.

DelVal Influencers: Our Faculty

Not all influencers have thousands of media followers. But, some influencers work diligently every day to help young people pursue their passions and find their career path. At DelVal, they're our faculty!

Here are a few of our DelVal influencers who teach in the small animal science program:

Dr. Melissa Langston, Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Joanne Powell, Instructor, Co-Chair of the Animal and Dairy Science Department

Dr. Kimberly Reichner, VMD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Conservation

Juliet shares her success with DelVal’s small animal science program.

Juliet Campbell key frame
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The Veterinary Technology Blog
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4. Delaware Valley University – Elmwood Park Zoo

Many veterinary potentials are intrigued by the care, biology, and future of animals like zebras, ocelots, and lemurs. And, while many colleges provide excellent veterinary courses that define and familiarize students with these creatures, only a small number of schools provide on-site zoo animal experience.


"Students of the program benefit from working directly with the Elmwood Park Zoo, an AZA-accredited facility. They gain both didactic and hands-on learning experiences through working with either zoo or marine animals in a variety of zoo science areas. These include exotic animal husbandry, handling, care, nutrition, disease, and psychology."

SMALL ANIMAL SCIENCE AT-A-GLANCE

Our small animal science program can prepare you for a wide variety of careers. You will find opportunities including wildlife biology, conservation, game management, zoo or aquarium management, biomedical research, pharmaceutical research, wildlife rehabilitation, and much more.

Core Small Animal Science Courses:

  • Animal Behavior
  • People and Animals
  • Canine Behavior and Training
  • Clinical Pathology
  • Pathology and Disease of Small Animals
  • Introduction to Small Animal Management
  • Animal Nutrition
  • Companion Animals
  • Small Animal Research Techniques
  • Student Research

Possible minors:

  • Biochemistry or Chemistry
  • Business Administration
  • Communication
  • Large Animal (Production) Science
  • One Health Communication
  • Policy Studies
  • Psychology
  • Writing
Brian Lutz with students
NEW! One Health Communication Minor

The One Health Communication minor provides students with the opportunity to bridge the study of writing and rhetoric with the sciences. Students who complete this minor will enhance their analytical and communication skills related to sciences including the University’s pre-veterinary, pre-health, STEM and science programs. They will gain skills for effectively communicating science topics to non-scientists and the general public.

Our courses and organziations help students gain the knowledge they need to be successful in their goals.

Anthony Rago title key frame
An experiential learner holdeing a pigglet.
Related Programs
Pre-Veterinary and Other Pre-Professional Programs

The pre-professional program is designed for students interested in careers in veterinary medicine, human health care (medicine, dentistry or optometry) or allied health care (physical therapy or occupational therapy).

Career Paths

With 100 percent of our students having real-world, hands-on experience, graduates with a degree in small animal science are able to pursue:

  • Veterinary medicine
  • Wildlife biology
  • Conservation
  • Game management 
  • Wildlife rehabilitation
  • Zoo or aquarium management
  • Biomedical research
  • Pharmaceutical research
  • Veterinary or graduate school
Three students birdwatching with binoculars
Get Involved
Student Clubs & Organizations
A professor and a small group of students wearing lab coats examine a rabbit.
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The Experience360 Program gives you the opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real-world activities like internships, career exploration experiences, student research, study abroad, leadership development and more.

Contact
Reg Hoyt, Co-Chair, Department of Animal Biotechnology and Conservation, Associate Professor

Office Location: Mandell 123A

Dr. Kimberly Kovath, Co-Chair, Department of Animal Biotechnology and Conservation, Professor

Office Location: Feldman Hall

Maria Cabrera, Admission counselor

OFFICE LOCATION: Admission Cottage

a professor and a student working with a chicken to train it listen to commands and go over the ramp for a reward
Small Animal Science
Small Animal Science
Small Animal Science
Small Animal Science