This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2023-2024 VCU Bulletin. This edition includes all programs
and courses approved by the publication deadline; however we may receive notification of additional program
approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available
in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Important general information
Students interested in the pre-veterinary medicine career advising track must obtain a bachelor’s degree and complete the necessary prerequisites in order to apply for veterinary school. Those interested in veterinary school should consult with a pre-professional health career adviser to learn about requirements that are specific to the schools of veterinary medicine to which they hope to apply.
Declaration of the pre-veterinary medicine career advising track through VCU Career Services - Pre-Professional Health Career Advising does not constitute or guarantee admission to any veterinary school. Students must apply separately to a veterinary medicine program of their choice at the appropriate time.
If interested in preparing for veterinary school, students must declare an academic major and should declare and maintain their pre-veterinary career advising track. Students do not earn a pre-veterinary medicine degree. Those unsure of their academic majors initially should clarify their academic interests through regular conversations with their academic adviser and pre-professional health career adviser. Pre-veterinary medicine students are encouraged to major in fields of greatest interest to them. To declare a pre-veterinary medicine career advising track, see the Pre-Professional Health Hub.
Prerequisites for veterinary school
The Graduate Record Examination is taken prior to application to veterinary school and those scores are weighed heavily in admissions decisions. Students are strongly advised to prepare thoroughly through self-directed study or through a prep course prior to registering to take the GRE.
Science and non-science courses required for veterinary school
Students must complete general biology, cell biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics courses as science prerequisites for admission to veterinary school.
Other science courses, including genetics, animal physiology, comparative vertebrate anatomy and microbiology are strongly recommended for pre-veterinary students.
Students should consult with a pre-professional health career adviser and academic adviser for additional guidance.
General prerequisites for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs
Course | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIOL 151 & BIOZ 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I | 4 |
BIOL 152 & BIOZ 152 | Introduction to Biological Sciences II and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory II | 4 |
CHEM 101 & CHEZ 101 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | 4 |
CHEM 102 & CHEZ 102 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | 4 |
CHEM 301 & CHEZ 301 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 5 |
CHEM 302 & CHEZ 302 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 5 |
CHEM 403 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
MATH 151 | Precalculus Mathematics 1 | 3-4 |
or MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | |
or STAT 210 | Basic Practice of Statistics | |
PHYS 201 | General Physics I | 4-5 |
or PHYS 207 | University Physics I | |
PHYS 202 | General Physics II | 4-5 |
or PHYS 208 | University Physics II | |
UNIV 111 ![]() | Focused Inquiry I | 3 |
UNIV 112 ![]() | Focused Inquiry II | 3 |
UNIV 200 | Inquiry and the Craft of Argument | 3 |
Total Hours | 49-52 |
At least six credits in mathematics is required for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
Additional recommended prerequisites for veterinary medicine programs nationwide
Students are encouraged to review admissions requirements for the specific institution(s) that they are considering applying to as well as VCU course descriptions for prerequisite courses. Students should meet with a pre-professional health career adviser and academic adviser after declaring the track to develop their curriculum plan.
Course | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIOL 300 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BIOL 303 | Microbiology | 3 |
BIOL 310 | Genetics | 3 |
BIOL 402 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | 5 |
BIOL 411 | Physiology | 3 |
Students should also consult with their academic adviser and pre-professional health career adviser to discuss an individual plan of study in parallel with their academic majors.