The School of Life · biology, medicine & health
Veterinary & Animal Science
The health of animals, from the family dog to the working herd — anatomy, care, and comparative medicine.
How different animals are built and how their bodies work — the shared plans and clever variations across species.
Syllabus · 4 units · ~28 hours
Unit I — Body Plans
Comparing vertebrate skeletons · Symmetry and organization · Homology across species · Reading a comparative chart
Unit II — Systems Compared
Digestive systems and diet · Circulation and respiration · Nervous and endocrine control · Reproduction across species
Unit III — Form and Function
Adaptations for movement · Adaptations for feeding · Water balance across environments · Temperature regulation
Unit IV — Special Cases
The ruminant digestive system · Flight in birds · Aquatic adaptations · Domestic versus wild
The principles of diagnosing and treating animal patients — clinical medicine when the patient cannot speak.
Syllabus · 4 units · ~30 hours
Unit I — The Veterinary Patient
The clinical approach to animals · Restraint and handling · History from the owner · The physical examination
Unit II — Diagnosis
Common diagnostic tests · Imaging in veterinary practice · Recognizing pain in animals · Building a differential
Unit III — Treatment Principles
Veterinary pharmacology basics · Fluid therapy · Surgery and anesthesia in outline · Nursing the animal patient
Unit IV — Prevention and Welfare
Vaccination and parasite control · Nutrition and preventive care · Zoonoses and public health · Animal welfare and ethics
What animals need to eat and why — feeding for health, growth, and production across species.
Syllabus · 4 units · ~22 hours
Unit I — Nutrients and Digestion
The nutrients animals need · Monogastric digestion · Ruminant digestion · Comparing digestive strategies
Unit II — Feeds and Rations
Common feedstuffs · Evaluating feed quality · Balancing a ration · Feeding for life stage
Unit III — Feeding by Species
Feeding dogs and cats · Feeding horses · Feeding cattle and sheep · Feeding poultry
Unit IV — Nutrition and Health
Nutritional disorders · Body condition scoring · Feeding the sick animal · Nutrition and production
How to keep dogs, cats, and other pets healthy — everyday care, warning signs, and the vet visit.
Syllabus · 3 units · ~14 hours
Unit I — Living With Animals
Choosing a pet responsibly · Basic needs and housing · Reading animal body language · Handling safely
Unit II — Everyday Health
Feeding and weight · Grooming and dental care · Exercise and enrichment · Preventive vet visits
Unit III — When Something's Wrong
Common signs of illness · First aid for pets · Parasites and prevention · When to call the vet
The science of raising farm animals well — breeding, feeding, housing, and health for the working herd.
Syllabus · 4 units · ~24 hours
Unit I — Animals and Agriculture
The major livestock species · Breeds and their purposes · The livestock industry · Animal welfare on the farm
Unit II — Breeding and Genetics
Reproduction in farm animals · Selection and breeding programs · Genetics of production traits · Records and improvement
Unit III — Feeding and Housing
Ration basics for livestock · Pasture and grazing · Housing and environment · Water and waste
Unit IV — Herd Health
Preventing disease in the herd · Vaccination and biosecurity · Recognizing sick animals · Sustainable production