Academics

Academics

Most veterinary schools in the United States and Canada require similar prerequisite coursework for admissions. Pre-vet students should work with aPMHSCadvisor to include the courses that both meet prerequisite requirements. The courses listed below do not constitute a major nor minor.If you are looking for suggestions while choosing a major or minor, you might findthis blog article, "Students: How do I pick a major?" or list of minors.  For a full list of veterinary education programs(and program websites)inthe US and Canada, please visit the link for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges

Biology

One year of basic biology with laboratory. 

  • BIO 1500 and 1501 Basic Life Diversity 4 credits 

  • BIO 1510 and 1511 Basic Life Mechanisms 4 credits 

One upper-level/advanced biology course from the following list:

  • BIO 2270/2271 Microbiology 5 credits OR BIO 3250/3251 Molecular Mechanisms of Microbiology 5 credits

  • BIO 3070 Genetics 4 credits 

  • BIO 2600 Cell Biology 4 credits 

There is now a Physiology prerequisite for the MSU Veterinary program that can be fulfilled with an upper or lower-level Physiology course from a regionally accredited institution. This Physiology course must be a minimum of three credits and must focus on animal or human physiology. The approved WSU courses for the Physiology prerequisite are the following: BIO 3200 - Physiology, BIO 4120 - Comparative Physiology and BIO 2870 - Anatomy and Physiology. 

Separate courses must be used to fulfill both the Physiology requirement and the Upper-Level Biology requirement. 

Please see a Pre-Vet Advisor if you have questions about satisfying these course requirements.

Chemistry

Two semesters of general chemistry with lab; two semesters or organic chemistry with lab; MSU College of Veterinary Medicine does not require General Chemistry 2 but other vet schools do require this course. 

  • CHM 1100 and 1130 General Chemistry 1 5 credits 

  • CHM 1140 and 1150 General Chemistry 2 5 credits 

  • CHM 1240 and 1250 Organic Chemistry 1 5 credits 

  • CHM 2220 and 2230 Organic Chemistry 2 5 credits 

Biochemistry

One semester of biochemistry 

  • BIO 3100 Cellular Biochemistry 3 credits 

  • CHM 5600 Survey of Biochemistry 3 credits 

Physics

Two semesters of physics with lab 

  • PHY 2130 and 2131 Physics for the Life Sciences 1 5 credits 

  • PHY 2140 and 2141 Physics for the Life Sciences 2 5 credits 

  • Please note: PHY 2170/71 and PHY 2180/81 are also acceptable 

Math

One semester of Pre-Calculus 

  • MAT 1800 4 credits 

English (Composition)

One semester 

  • ENG 1020 Basic Composition 3 credits 

General Education Requirements

Two Arts & Humanities courses (history, literature, art, music, and theater history or appreciation, philosophy or religion). Two Social Science courses (cultural anthropology, economics, human geography, political science, psychology or sociology) 

 

Additional classes may be required depending on the particular veterinary program. Please check with a Pre-Vet Advisor for more details on these classes.