Veterinary medicine is an exciting, but
demanding field which offers a variety of career opportunities for
individuals interested in animal health and well-being. There are 27
colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., accredited by the
American Veterinary Medical Association, which offer professional
programs leading to the doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree.
The curriculum prepares graduates for professional careers in
private practice emphasizing large, small, mixed, and specialty
animals, government inspection and regulatory medicine, zoo and
exotic animal medicine, research, education, etc.
The preprofessional academic (preveterinary)
requirements for veterinary school are similar to those for medical
school. Because these requirements do not lead to a degree in
preveterinary medicine, students should pursue a formal degree
program in a selected major, such as biology, chemistry, or
agriculture, while completing the preveterinary course requirements.
The following curriculum guide provides a
suggested coursework sequence for completion of the preveterinary
course requirements for the Colorado State University College of
Veterinary Medicine. Complete information about the program is
available on the CSU website,
www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/cvmbs/pvmpro.html .
This coursework is typical of that required by
the other 26 colleges, but you should consult the particular school
catalog to identify specific entrance requirements.
| Colorado
State University Course Requirements |
Required
Minimum Credits |
Fort Lewis
College Course Equivalents |
Credits |
| Biological
Sciences |
1 |
Bio 113-
Intro Biology II |
4 |
| SC330
Principles of Genetics |
3 |
Bio
371/372 General Genetics/Evolutionary Genetics |
3
(2, 1) |
| Physical
Sciences |
1 |
Chem 150 |
5.5 |
| BC 351
Principles of Biochemistry |
4 |
Chem 311
General Biochemistry I |
3 |
| Ph121
General Physics I |
5 |
Phys 201
College Physics I |
5 |
| PH122
General Physics II |
5 |
Phys 202
College Physics II |
5 |
| ST301
Intro to Statistical Methods OR ST307/EH307 Intro to
Biostatistics |
3
3 |
Math 201
Elementary Statistics OR BA 253 Business Statistics |
4
4 |
| CO150
College Composition |
3 |
Comp 150
Reading and Writing in College |
4 |
|
Arts/Humanities and Behavioral and Social Sciences |
12 |
General Education Classes in groups A, C, D, E |
12 |
Obviously, successful admission into a
professional veterinary program is dependent on a variety of
factors, including college grade point average, participation in
extracurricular activities, community service, and practical
experience working with animals. It is imperative that you work for
a veterinarian, or in a similar setting, prior to submission of an
application to veterinary school. This experience can be gained from
either a paid or volunteer position. Of course, more experience
improves your chances of admission. Veterinary schools usually
require a letter of recommendation from a practicing veterinarian
for whom you have worked.
Some veterinary schools require that
applicants take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Veterinary
Aptitude Test (VAT) prior to submission of an application for
admission (CSU requires the GRE only). Check the application
information for more details.
