Pre-Veterinary Medicine

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General Information:

Kenny Garrison, advisor

The suggested Pre-Veterinary Medicine curriculum is based on those courses that fulfill or exceed the 60 core hours required to enter the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine. If alternate choices of Veterinary schools are to be considered, students should individually tailor their program to fit that school’s requirements. In addition to these hours, it is recommended that students should include a major(s) in Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture. Pre-Veterinary students should expect to take courses beyond the minimum needed to graduate. It is recommended that the student take very high course loads, since this is highly considered as a criterion for admission to veterinary school. Students need a minimum of 40 hours (more hours are suggested) observing one or more veterinarians actively engaged in their normal work environments through at least one credit hour of internship. Admission to veterinary school is very competitive, and the student should prepare for another career in case he or she is not admitted to veterinary school.

Required courses for Pre-Veterinary medicine:

Mathematics:

English or Communication courses: 6 hours from the following or more advanced courses

Inorganic Chemistry:

Organic Chemistry:

Biochemistry:

CHE 424 - Biochemistry

Physics:

Biological Sciences:

BIO 114 - General Zoology
BIO 124 - General Botany
One or more additional courses for science majors

Social Sciences: 10 credit hours

Can include courses from history, economics, political science, geography, literature, mythology, psychology, and philosophy

Internship: 1 credit hour (more hours are desirable)

Observing one or more veterinarians actively engaged in their normal work environments. It is recommended that students engage in a minimum of 40 hours observing veterinary practice in each of the following areas: Equine, Food Animal, Exotics/Pocket Pets (i.e. Birds, Zoo Animals, Reptiles, Hamsters, Gerbils, Mice, etc.), Small Animal.

Electives: 10 credit hours

Recommended courses for Pre-Veterinary Medicine:

Chemistry:

Biology:

Agriculture:

English:

ENG 333 - Technical Writing

Mathematics:

MAT 175 - Calculus I

Note:

A minor in Animal Science is an excellent option for the Pre-Veterinary student allowing an opportunity for the students to be involved with College of the Ozarks farm through the work study program. If the Animal Science minor is not viable, then any or all of the listed courses are recommended.

Students should contact the University of Missouri College’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or Admission Advisor for advisement during the fall semester preceding the application to the veterinary medicine program.