Academics

Academics

Most veterinary schools in the United States and Canada require similar prerequisite coursework for admissions. Pre-vet students should work with a PMHSC advisor to include the courses that meet prerequisite requirements. The courses listed below do not constitute a major or minor. If you are looking for suggestions in choosing a major or minor, you might find this blog article, "Students: How do I pick a major?" or list of minors helpful. For a complete list of veterinary education programs (and program websites) in the US and Canada, please visit the link for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges


Biology

One year of basic biology with lab.

BIO 1500/1501 - Basic Life Diversity + Lab 4 cr.
BIO 1510/1511 - Basic Life Mechanisms + Lab 4 cr.

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

BIO 2270/2271 - Microbiology + Lab 5 cr.
OR  
BIO 2600 - Cell Biology 4 cr.
OR  
BIO 3070 - Genetics 4 cr.
OR  
BIO 3250/3251 - Molecular Mechanisms of Microbiology + Lab 5 cr.

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 have a minimum of three credits and must focus on animal or human physiology. The approved WSU courses for the Physiology prerequisite are: BIO 3200 - Physiology, BIO 4120 - Comparative Physiology, and BIO 2870 - Anatomy and Physiology. 

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

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

Chemistry

Two semesters of general chemistry with lab and two semesters of organic chemistry with lab.

CHM 1100/1130 - General Chemistry I + Lab 5 cr.
CHM 1140/1150 - General Chemistry II + Lab 5 cr.
CHM 1240/1250 - Organic Chemistry I + Lab 5 cr.
CHM 2220/2230 - Organic Chemistry II + Lab 5 cr.

*MSU College of Veterinary Medicine does not require General Chemistry 2, but other vet schools do require this course. 

Biochemistry

One semester of biochemistry. 

BIO 3100 - Cellular Biochemistry 3 cr.
OR  
CHM 5600 - Survey of Biochemistry 3 cr.

Physics

Two semesters of physics with lab.

PHY 2130/2131 - Physics for the Life Sciences I + Lab 5 cr.
PHY 2140/2141 - Physics for the Life Sciences II + Lab 5 cr.
OR  
PHY 2170/2171 - University Physics for Scientists I + Lab 5 cr.
PHY 2180/2181 - University Physics for Scientists II + Lab 5 cr.

Mathematics

One semester of Pre-Calculus. 

MAT 1800 - Elementary Functions  4 cr.

English 

One semester of English (Composition). 

ENG 1020 - Introductory College Writing  3 cr.

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.