The Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Most pre-veterinary students major in Animal Science, Biology or Chemistry because of the number of courses required in these areas but keep in mind that other majors are possible. Pre-veterinary is not a major on its own. Requirements for a declared major and minor must be met to graduate.

Students have the greatest success in applying to a veterinary school in the state in which they reside. For most UWRF students these schools include the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. These schools have similar course requirements for admission. Application to other Schools of Veterinary Medicine is also possible.

Recommended Curriculum

To meet veterinary school course requirements it is suggested that you follow a curriculum similar to that outlined below: (The exact courses and the sequence of courses will vary some with your major, see the Academic Plan for your major for a more detailed description)

 

FRESHMAN YEAR

ENGL 100 (Academic Reading/ Writing)
MATH 146 (College Algebra)
MATH 147 (College Algebra and Trigonometry)
CHEM 121 (General Chemistry I and Lab I)
CHEM 122 (General Chemistry II and Lab II)
BIOL 150 (General Biology)
ANSC 111 (Introduction to Animal Science)
ANSC 121 (Companion Animals) (not required, but recommended)
Work on General Education requirements.

 

SOPHOMORE YEAR

ENGL 200 (Investigating Ideas: Reading, Writing, and the Disciplines)
CHEM 231 & 236 (Organic Chemistry I and Lab I)
CHEM 232 & 237 (Organic Chemistry II and Lab II)
BIOL 230 (General Zoology)
BIOL 240 (Cell and Molecular Biology)
ANSC 231 (Principles of Nutrition)
ANSC 232 (Applied Feeds & Feeding) (not required, but may be appropriate)
Continue with General Education requirements

For those students planning to apply to Veterinary School, prepare and take the GRE during the summer and complete the VMCAS application prior to October 1.

 

JUNIOR YEAR

CHEM 361 (Biochemistry I)
PHYS 151 & 156 (General Physics I and Lab I)
PHYS 152 & 157 (General Physics II and Lab II)
ANSC 257 (Genetics) or Biology 350 (Genetics and Evolution)
ANSC 341 (Biometrics) or Math 216 (Statistics)
BIOL 324 (Microbiology)
ANSC 345 (Animal Health) (not required, but recommended)
Continue with General Education requirements

For those students planning to apply to Veterinary School, prepare and take the GRE during the summer, and complete the VMCAS application prior to October 1st.

 

4th YEAR

Complete senior year at UWRF or first year in veterinary school.
If a senior at UWRF, complete college and major/minor requirements.

 

Other Things to Consider

Explore careers in veterinary medicine. Talk to veterinarians about the nature of their work. Engage in a job or volunteer position at a veterinary clinic or working with animals that demonstrates your interest in the profession. Gain experience working with animals and people.

The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)
The VMCAS (Veterinary Medical College Application Service) application must be completed for most all veterinary schools. You must also take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) during the summer prior to your application year. VMCAS applications are due October 1st for entrance into veterinary school the following fall semester. The VMCAS application is available on-line at http://www.aavmc.org/. GRE information is available online at http://www.gre.org/

Information on Wisconsin and Minnesota Veterinary Schools

UW-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine Office of Academic Affairs 2015 Linden Drive West Madison, WI 53706-1102 Phone: 608.263.2525 http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/

College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Student Affairs and Admissions 460 VTH, 1365 Gortner Avenue St. Paul, MN 55108 Phone: 612.624.4747 http://www.cvm.umn.edu/

For application information on other U.S. and Canadian veterinary schools check the VMCAS web site.

UW-River Falls Pre-Veterinary Club

The UW-River Falls Pre-Veterinary Club is active in disseminating information about veterinary school preparation to students interested in the veterinary profession. This includes speakers, tours of veterinary schools, tours of veterinary technician colleges, attending the National Pre-Veterinary Symposium and many other related activities. Visit the club's website at http://www.uwrf.edu/prevet/

For More Information
Information regarding the pre-veterinary curriculum at UW-River Falls is available through the pre-veterinary advisors:

Dr. Larry Baumann Dept of Animal Science University of Wisconsin-River Falls 410 South Third Street River Falls, WI 54022 Phone: 715.425.3704 Email: larry.baumann@uwrf.edu

Dr. Kim Mogen Department of Biology University of Wisconsin-River Falls 410 South Third Street River Falls, WI 54022 Phone: 715.425.3364 E-mail: kim.l.mogen@uwrf.edu