Course

Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 1

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Course code
VTEC 1102
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall

Overview

Course description
This course introduces students to veterinary laboratory procedures. Topics include the care and maintenance of laboratory equipment and the materials and methods used in veterinary parasitology and hematology.
Course content

Introduction to laboratory equipment:

  • function, care and maintenance of compound microscope, refractometer and centrifuge
  • calibration of instruments

Sample handling:

  • sample collection, preparation and analysis
  • accurate record keeping
  • laboratory requisition forms

Parasitology:

  • life cycles of internal and external parasites common in veterinary medicine and their zoonotic potential
  • diagnostic techniques, gross and microscopic identification

Hematology:

  • function and formation of blood cells
  • diseases and abnormalities of blood
  • hemostasis
  • packed cell volumes and serum protein measurement
  • Complete blood counts:
    • blood films
    • hemacytometer techniques
    • red blood cell indices 
    • differential white blood cell count
Learning activities

This course may involve lectures, hands-on laboratory tasks, demonstrations, case studies, group work, classroom presentations, flipped classroom, simulations and/or online quizzes.

 

Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.

In order to achieve a grade of C (or higher) in the course, students must:

  • demonstrate competency (a performance of 60% or higher) in an evaluation of each of the assigned essential skills
  • attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled labs
  • achieve a final minimum grade of 60% in each of the lecture and lab components of the course

Evaluation will be based on:

Lab evaluations: 10-30% (no single evaluation worth more than 10%)

Assignments: 10-30% (no single assignment worth more than 20%)

Quizzes: 10-20% (no single quiz worth more than 10%)

Term test(s): 10-20%

Final examination(s): 30-40%

Total: 100%

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • set up and safely maintain a veterinary hospital laboratory;
  • implement quality control methods for a veterinary hospital laboratory;
  • use common laboratory equipment, including refractometers and centrifuges;
  • use equipment and instrumentation used in parasitology and hematology;
  • calibrate and maintain a compound microscope;
  • identify the major parasites of small and large animals;
  • describe the life cycles, zoonotic potential and control methods for common veterinary parasites;
  • perform diagnostic tests routinely used in veterinary parasitology;
  • use standard laboratory techniques to collect laboratory samples;
  • describe the function, formation and abnormalities of components of blood;
  • perform routine testing used in hematology, such as complete blood count;
  • prepare samples for submission and complete laboratory submission forms.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

  • Sirois, M. (Current Edition). Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier.

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of a C in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

(VTEC 1302 and VTEC 1307) = VTEC 1102

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for VTEC 1102
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
30
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2190
Times:
Start Time
9:00
-
End Time
11:50
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A1230
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

VTEC 1102 001 is restricted to the Full-time VTEC cohort only.