/ Center for Community and Global Health/ Veterinary School

Veterinary School

Pre-Requisite Coursework for Veterinary School

Interested to find out more about a career in veterinary medicine? Check out this website here.

Students can enter veterinary school with any undergraduate major. However, many courses required for admission to health-professional schools are sequential, so good planning is key.

We have found that most veterinary schools require or recommend the below courses, however, pre-requisites can vary from school to school. It is a good idea to check directly with the schools you plan to apply to.

Pre-Requisite	LC Course
1-year of Introductory Biology w/ lab	BIO 202 (4 credits): Biological Core Concepts: Mechanisms (Pre-req: Bio 110 and Chem 120) and An upper-level Biology course with lab such as: BIO 361 (5 credits): Cell Biology (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 201, Bio 202, and Chem 120. Math 131, Math 255, or CS 171) or BIO 369 (5 credits): Developmental Biology (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 201, Bio 202, Chem 120. Math 131, Math 255, or CS 171)
1-year Advanced Science courses (300 level or higher)	May include: BIO 311 (4 credits): Molecular Biology (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 202, Chem 120, and Math 131, 255 or CS 171. Recommended pre-req: Chem 220) with Lab component BIO 312 (1 credit): Molecular Biology Lab (Pre-reqs: BIO 311 taken concurrently) or BIO 317 (5 credits): Invertebrate Zoology (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 201, and Bio 202) or BIO 352 (5 credits): Animal Behavior (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 201, Bio 202, Chem 120, and Math 131, 255 or CS 171) or BIO 361 (5 credits): Cell Biology (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 201, Bio 202, Chem 120, and Math 131, 255 or CS 171) or BIO 375 (5 credits): Physiology (Pre-reqs: Bio 11, Bio 202, and Math 131, CS 171, or Phys 141) or BIO 343 (5 credits): Microbiology ((Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 201, Bio 202, Chem 120, and either Math 131, 255, or CS 171) or Immunology or Virology: Offered through the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities. See your pre-health advisor for options. May also be offered as a BIO 491 Special Topics in Biology with Lab course.
1 semester Genetics	Bio 380 (5 credits): Behavioral Genetics (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 202, Chem 120, and Math 131, 255 or CS 171. Recommended pre-reqs: Bio 252, Bio 320, or Bio 361)
1-year Introductory Chemistry w/ lab	CHEM 110 (5 credits): General Chemistry I (Pre-req: QR 101) and CHEM 120 (5 credits): General Chemistry II (Pre-req: Chem 110)
1-year Introductory Physics w/ lab	PHYS 141 (5 credits): Introductory General Physics I (Pre-req: Math 131) and PHYS 142 (5 credits): Introductory General Physics II (Pre-req: Phys 141 or Phys 151, and Math 131)
1-year Organic Chemistry	CHEM 210 (5 credits): Organic Chemistry I (Pre-req: Chem 120) and CHEM 220 (5 credits): Organic Chemistry II (Pre-req: Chem 210)
1-year Biochemistry	CHEM 330 (4 credits): Structural Biochemistry (Pre-req: Chem 220. Recommended pre-req: Bio 202) CHEM 335 (4 credits): Metabolic Biochemistry (Pre-req: Chem 220. Recommended pre-req: Bio 202)
1 semester College Math	MATH 131 (4 credits): Calculus I (Pre-req: MATH 115)
1 semester Public Speaking	RHMS 210 (4 credits): Public Discourse (Pre-req: None)
1 semester English Composition	CORE 120 (4 credits): Words
2 years Humanities/Social Sciences	Options are plentiful, but it is strongly encouraged to take: PSY 100 (4 credits): Introduction to Psychology (Pre-req: None) or SOAN 100 (4 credits): Introduction to Sociology (Pre-req: None)

Below is a list of experiences to make oneself a competitive applicant for veterinary school.

Other Experiences	Hours
Job Shadowing	100-200 hours recommended
Animal Experience	500 hours recommended, big and small animals
CASPer test	May be required by some schools. More information can be found here
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)	May be required for some schools. More information can be found here

Recommended Timeline for Veterinary School

Here is a recommended timeline to help you navigate the application process for veterinary school. Although student-classification years are listed, you can start working towards this program at any time – while this timeline is designed as a helpful template, it can be adjusted based on your personal journey.

Please note that all veterinary schools are different and may have varying application cycles and requirements, so be sure to research each program you’re interested in.

Fall of Junior Year
Recommended time for applicants to take the GRE	Recommended 2-3 months of studying prior to taking the exam Some programs do not require the GRE GRE is valid for 5 years Can be retaken every 21 days, up to 5 times in a 12-month period
Winter of Junior Year
January VMCAS application opens	If applying to schools in Texas, you will use the TMDSAS application, which opens May 1st
Fall of Senior Year
September 15th VMCAS application closes	Recommended to submit application no later than two weeks before application deadline
Fall - Spring of Senior Year
October - February Interviews	You may be contacted to conduct interviews by the schools
Fall after Senior Year
August Start Veterinary School