Universities and colleges do not offer online
degrees specifically in veterinary science, but in rare instances,
topics that fall under the umbrella of veterinary science, such as food
safety or laboratory animal science, are available online as master's
degree programs. Working professionals in the food industry and in
medical research who want to advance their careers are good candidates
to pursue these degrees.
Overview of an Online Master's Degree in Food Safety
An online master's degree in food safety conveys a big picture view
of the U.S. food production and distribution system and provides
specific training in foodborne pathogens, food microbiology and food
chemistry. Food safety programs offered through a school's veterinary
science department give special emphasis to food animals and food
producing animals. Students develop their abilities to conduct risk
analysis and hone their research skills. Applicants to a master's level
program need to have earned a bachelor's degree or graduate degree in
the biological sciences with completed course work in microbiology and
maintained a 3.0 grade point average. Schools may give preference to
applicants with food industry service experience.
Students access course content in an online food safety program
through the school's website and submit finished assignments and exams
through the same portal. Content is available on a 24-hour basis.
Coursework can be completed entirely online. A master's degree is
typically earned in two years.
Students need a newer Windows or Mac personal computer, Internet
access and Web browser to take part in an online course. Schools may use
content management systems, such as ANGEL.
List of Common Food Safety Online Courses
Food safety master's degree programs follow a standard organizational
structure of core courses and electives. Elective courses allow
students to focus on production, processing, packaging or public health.
Food Safety Introductory Course
This course provides a broad review of the regulatory infrastructure
and food industry processes and procedures aimed at keeping the U.S.
food supply safe. Topics covered include risk assessment and management,
genetically modified organisms, HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control
Point) guidelines and bioethics.
Foodborne Pathogens Course
Students in this course examine the relationship between pathogens
and their hosts and the adaptations foodborne pathogens make throughout
the food production cycle. Food storage and processing, major pathogens,
pathogen management and emergency management are among the topics
covered.
Food Safety Research
Students design, write and conduct food safety research projects in
this course. Course work moves through the process of formulating
research problems, constructing hypotheses, gathering data, performing
statistical analysis and presenting conclusions.
Graduates of an online master's degree program in food safety are
qualified to become food scientists and pursue a range of career paths
related to basic food research, food preservation and inspection.
Positions are available with food and pharmaceutical manufacturers,
university labs, commercial labs and government agencies. According to
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of food scientists is
projected to grow 16% from 2008-2018. As of May 2009, the median yearly
salary of food scientists was $59,630 (
www.bls.gov).
People who earn a master's degree in food safety can consider pursuing a doctoral degree in
food science,
particularly if they want to teach at the postsecondary level or
conduct advanced research. As of 2010, schools were not offering food
science doctoral programs online.
Overview of an Online Master's Degree in Laboratory Animal Science
An online master's degree program in laboratory animal science
provides training in the care of lab animals and the management of lab
facilities. The curriculum covers a broad range of subject matter,
including lab procedures, standard business management practices and the
anatomy and disease profiles of lab animals - which has direct
applications to veterinary science. Admission to a master's degree
program requires a bachelor's degree, preferably in the life sciences
and a 3.0 or better grade point average. Applicants must have also
worked in a field related to laboratory animal science for two years at a
minimum.
Online master's degree programs in laboratory animal science are
structured so students have maximum flexibility in accessing course
materials and completing assignments. Course content is the same as for a
traditional program, and programs may be completed entirely online. A
student must find a veterinary science professional who will act as a
mentor and counselor. A master's degree is typically earned in two
years.
Participation in an online program requires a relatively new
computer, current operating system, high speed Internet access and
headset with microphone. Schools may use a proprietary course management
system.
List of Common Laboratory Animal Science Online Courses
Laboratory animal science master's degree programs are commonly
divided into a small core set of basic science courses and a larger
group of subject-specific courses. A thesis project is generally not
part of the program.
Animal Anatomy Introductory Course
Students in this course receive a broad review of the
anatomy and physiology
of animals commonly used in laboratory experiments. Topics covered
include mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, ferrets, swine, sheep,
horses and cattle.
Care of Lab Animals Course
This course examines established processes and procedures for
monitoring the health and maintaining the well-being and safety of
laboratory animals before, during and after experiments. Animal
pathologies, disease symptoms and lab ethics are among the topics
covered.
Animal Research Models Course
Principles and concepts supporting the use of lab animals as
substitutes for human subjects in biomedical research are the focus of
this course. Students learn specific taxonomic equivalencies of various
lab animals to humans as well as their shared disease profiles.
Graduates of a master's degree program in laboratory animal science
are qualified for supervisory, managerial and educator positions at
research labs that use animals. Graduates may also become consultants or
sales representatives. Universities, pharmaceutical companies and
government agencies are among the institutions that may employ their
services. According to
Payscale.com, as of August 2010 for
workers with 1-4 years of experience, medical lab supervisors earned
median salaries of $41,077-$61,378 and university lab supervisors earned
median salaries of $30,701-$42,729.
