Veterinary Degrees Online

The minimum requirement to participate in the traditional program leading to the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is the successful completion of pre-veterinary program in Universities or colleges.

The required pre-professional and science courses which should be taken and passed during the pre-veterinary program are:

General Chemistry with Laboratory
6 semester credits,

or 8 quarter credits.

Organic Chemistry with Laboratory
6 semester credits

or 8 quarter credits.

Biochemistry

(Emphasis on Animal Biochemistry and Metabolism)
3 semester credits

or 4 quarter credits.

Genetics
3 semester credits

or 4 quarter credits.

Since there are many applicants for a limited number of openings at the professional schools in the health and allied health fields, students are urged to get a strong foundation in the basic sciences in their first two years and work toward a high G.P.A.

A broad background in humanities and social sciences will help students in communicating and relating with people. Students wanting to enter schools of medicine, veterinary science and dentistry need to complete a baccalaureate degree, with a major in biology, chemistry or other appropriate discipline. Students should make choices that meet the requirements of the 2+2 Benedictine University program or the program of study they plan to pursue at the senior college level.

Prerequisites
High school studies should include:
3 years of math, including second year algebra, geometry and trigonometry;
3 years of science, including one each in biology, chemistry and physics;
Other science courses (highly recommended);and
2 years of foreign language (highly recommended)

Stetson University provides the required curricula for students planning careers in veterinary medicine, dentistry, general medicine and allied health fields. Students may work on any major as long as they include in their curriculum the required science core courses.

Stetson’s pre-health program is administered by the University’s Health Professions Advisory Committee, composed of faculty representatives from Biology, Chemistry, Integrative Health Sciences, and the Social Sciences. This committee oversees the student’s curriculum, advising and preparation for the professional school’s admissions process.

Course Information
The required science core courses may vary slightly from one professional school to another, but the prescribed courses include: Calculus, English, general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, general physics, among others. Core courses should be completed by the end of the junior year.

In addition to core courses and those required for the student’s major, academic work should be distributed to include humanities, social science and advanced science courses for a broad academic background.

Since there are many applicants for a limited number of openings at the professional schools in the health and allied health fields, students are urged to get a strong foundation in the basic sciences in their first two years and work toward a high G.P.A.

A broad background in humanities and social sciences will help students in communicating and relating with people. Students wanting to enter schools of medicine, veterinary science and dentistry need to complete a baccalaureate degree, with a major in biology, chemistry or other appropriate discipline. Students should make choices that meet the requirements of the 2+2 Benedictine University program or the program of study they plan to pursue at the senior college level.

Prerequisites
High school studies should include:
3 years of math, including second year algebra, geometry and trigonometry;
3 years of science, including one each in biology, chemistry and physics;
Other science courses (highly recommended);and
2 years of foreign language (highly recommended)

Requirements
All students must General Education core degree requirements (link to page 2 of general education core requirements), and they must complete the following courses specific to the concentration. Courses required for the concentration may also satisfy General Education requirements.
BIO 106 – Cellular Biology;
BIO 107 – Biological Organisms and Ecology;
CHE 111, CHE 112 – General Chemistry I and II;
CHE 223, CHE 224 – Organic Chemistry I and II;
MAT 114 – College Algebra, if needed;
MAT 115 – Trigonometry, if needed;
MAT 122, MAT 125 or MAT 223, – Calculus or Statistics; and
PHY 211, PHY 212 – General Physics I and II

Recommended Additional Courses
Other science courses to consider are BIO 108, BIO 109 – Anatomy and Physiology I and II and BIO 215 – Microbiology.

PRE-VETERINARY CONCENTRATION
Two Year Plan Course Plan

First Year
First Semester
ENG 111 – Comp. & Rhetoric [3]
BIO106 – Cellular Biology [4]
CHE 111 – Gen. Chemistry I [4]
Humanities Elective [3]
MAT 114 – College Algebra [3] OR MAT 223 – Calculus I [5]
Total Hours 17-19

Second Semester
ENG 112 – Comp. & Research [3]
BIO 107 – Biological Organisms & Ecology [4]
CHE 112 – Gen. Chemistry II [4 ]
Social Behavior Elective [3]
MAT 115 – Trigonometry [3] OR MAT 224 – Calculus II [4]
Total Hours 17-18

Second Year
First Semester
CHE 223- Organic Chemistry I [4]
Social Behavior Elective [3]
PHY 211 – General Physics I [4]
Fine Arts elective [3]
Elective [3]
Total Hours 17

Second Semester
CHE 224- Organic Chemistry II [4]
SPH 110 – Fund. of Speech [3]
PHY 212 – General Physics II [4]
Humanities or Fine Arts elective [3]
Social Behavior Elective [3]
Total Hours 17

Recommended Social/Behavioral Science courses
PSC 210: American Government, PSC 210: General Psychology, PSY 215: Growth & Development, SOC 210: Introductory Sociology

Recommended Humanities/Fine Arts
PHI 213: General Ethics, PHI 201: Introduction to Philosophy, REL 230: Contemporary Moral Problems, HUM 183 & 184: Exploration of Human Values I & II.

Saint Mary’s University, in accord with the policy enunciated in the GREP Report of the Association of American Medical Colleges, does not require any particular major for those students interested in applying to dental, medical or veterinary science schools. Diverse majors are acceptable for admission to schools for the healing professions. However, a strong sequence of science courses prepares students for the Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT). Demonstrated proficiency in mathematics, science, and liberal arts courses develops interpretive and critical abilities as well as a broad appreciation and understanding of the humanities. Saint Mary’s additionally emphasizes the necessity for including in the student’s four-year curriculum those courses which allow the student to develop the ability to synthesize knowledge and to arrive at thoughtful reflective decisions in the ethical/moral sphere. Such skills can be achieved through the pursuit of various disciplines as logic, ethics, literature, psychology and theology.

Most students attempt national examinations in the latter part of their junior year. By that time they should have completed a minimum of one year of biology and physics and two years of chemistry. It is recommended that students consult with members of the medical professions committee early in their career at Saint Mary’s and that they work very closely with their academic advisor.

Letters of recommendation are an important part of the student’s medical school application. Students petition a letter from the medical professions committee. The medical professions committee prefaces its recommendations predicated on the premises that medical school preparation should be thoroughly grounded in liberal education and that our medical students should possess an exceptional level of ethical and moral concern to reflect Saint Mary’s nature as a Catholic university.

If you are interested in taking college-level classes and you are neither 18 years of age or older nor a high school graduate, you are considered an Early Admissions student.

Early Admissions acceptance is determined by the College of DuPage Admission and Information office on a case-by-case basis. Your first step is to speak with an admission specialist. Call (630) 942-2380 to schedule a qualifying interview and to discuss the required placement test procedures.

To meet Early Admissions requirements, you must:
Score into Category One on both the C.O.D. reading and writing placement tests. Math and science courses may require math placement test results.
Have a minimum high school GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or 3.75 on a 5.0 scale.
Complete the Early Admissions Application. It is also available at your high school or can be mailed to you by an admission specialist.
Interview with an admission specialist
Please note the following:
Approval from your high school counselor or parent does not guarantee admission.
During your first term at C.O.D., you will be limited to ONE academic course.
The Early Admissions process must be repeated each semester until the student turns 18 or graduates from high school.

All veterinary schools require a minimum of two years of pre-veterinary college study for entrance. One-third of the successful applicants have acquired academic degrees prior to entering veterinary school. Science courses required by most veterinary schools:
BIOL 159/160, 161, 370/371, 430
CHEM 120, 121, 240, 340
MATH 180, 220
PHYS 250, 251

The Veterinary Aptitude Test (VAT) and/or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be required prior to acceptance by some veterinary schools.

The Pre-Professional Program at Millikin University dedicates its energy to preparing individuals for entry into and success in a post-graduate medical sciences program. Each student receives a liberal arts education with a firm foundation in science. Courses in science, social science, arts, and language balance those in biology and/or chemistry.

Individual monitoring of academic and professional goals and one-on-one contact with the program director set our program apart from others. Personalized mentoring invites you to become part of a community of learners and helps you focus on your coursework. Local internships and service opportunities provide hands-on enrichment and education, while an updated health-career library informs students of growing career opportunities.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Millikin offers on-campus admission exam preparation in the form of courses and review sessions. These sessions help you develop the skills needed to test into the post-graduate program of your choice.