Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program Advice

Preparing for veterinary school requires careful course selection to ensure that all prerequisites are met while completing a biology degree at Columbus State University. The exact requirements vary by veterinary school, so it is essential to research the specific schools you are interested in and plan accordingly. Fortunately, the Biology curriculum already overlaps with most of the standard prerequisites. With thoughtful planning and by consulting your adviser, you can meet both your degree requirements and the expectations of veterinary committees. Many vet schools require that science courses (especially labs) be taken in person rather than online.

Core Prerequisites (Required by Most U.S. Veterinary Schools)

English Composition I and II (ENGL 1101 and 1102)

Principles of Biology I & II (BIOL 1107K and 1108K) – foundational courses required for all majors and vet schools.

General Chemistry I & II with labs (CHEM 1211/1211L and 1212/1212L)

Organic Chemistry I & II with labs (CHEM 3111/331 and 3112/3312)

Introductory Physics I & II (PHYS 1111/1311 and 1112/1312) – algebra-based sequence is sufficient for most vet schools.

Mathematics – often including Pre-Calculus (MATH 1113) and/or Statistics (STAT 1407)

Additional Prerequisites (Required by Some U.S. Vet Schools)

Cell Biology (BIOL 3215K) – recommended for a stronger molecular background.

Genetics (BIOL 3216K) – required for the Biology major and often strongly recommended (sometimes required) for vet schools.

Biochemistry I (CHEM 3141/3345) – one semester with or without the lab required by some vet schools.

Microbiology (BIOL 2260K or as a senior elective) – many vet schools specifically require microbiology with lab.

Animal Nutrition – taken elsewhere and transferred back to CSU