Courses Required

Applicants must complete a series of undergraduate prerequisite courses. They include courses in Science, Math, General Education (English, Humanities and Social Sciences) and Advanced Electives. We strongly recommend having no more than three Science or Math prerequisite courses missing prior to the VMCAS application deadline in September.

Introductory pre-professional courses may be taken at any regionally accredited two-year or four-year college or university. All upper-division prerequisite courses: Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology with lab must be completed at a four-year institution offering a Biology degree. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or above by the end of the spring semester prior to the start of veterinary school in August. If a “C-” grade or below is earned, the course must be retaken.

For those students attending a quarter unit institution, use the following formula to determine prerequisite course equivalency. Quarter Units divided by 1.5 equals the number of semester hours. For example, 5 quarter units of Genetics equals 3.3 semester hours.

You may compare your institution’s course descriptions by using our self-audit Undergraduate Course Requirements handout and visiting the UF Undergraduate Catalog for verification.

Undergraduate students should periodically consult with their academic or pre-health advisors for any questions related to undergraduate courses offered at their institution.

Science and Math Prerequisites

Biology 1 with lab

Minimum credits: 4 semester hours or 6 quarter units. Can be fulfilled with zoology or other biology courses.

Biology 2 with lab

Minimum credits: 4 semester hours or 6 quarter units. Can be fulfilled with zoology or other biology courses.

Microbiology with Lab

Minimum credits: 4 semester hours or 6 quarter units. Must be an upper-level microbiology course not intended for allied health programs such as Nursing.

Genetics

Minimum credits: 3 semester hours or 5 quarter units. Must be an upper-level genetics course intended for science majors.

Chemistry 1 with Lab

Minimum credits: 4 semester hours or 6 quarter units. Also known as “inorganic chemistry.”

Chemistry 2 with Lab

Minimum credits: 4 semester hours or 6 quarter units. Also known as “inorganic chemistry.”

Organic Chemistry 1 with Lab

Minimum credits: 4 semester hours or 6 quarter units.

Organic Chemistry 2 with Lab

Minimum credits: 4 semester hours or 6 quarter units.

Biochemistry

Minimum credits: 3 semester hours or 5 quarter units. Must be an upper-level biochemistry course.

Physics 1 with Lab

Minimum credits: 4 semester hours or 6 quarter units.

Physics 2 with Lab

Minimum credits: 4 semester hours or 6 quarter units.

Statistics

Minimum credits: 3 semester hours or 5 quarter units. A college introductory statistics course will meet this requirement.

Advanced Electives

Because of the demands of the professional curriculum, we require a minimum of 9 credits of challenging courses that go beyond the pre-professional requirements listed above. These advanced or higher level courses can be found in all undergraduate departments or disciplines which are traditionally offered at the 300/3000 or higher undergraduate level. Some recommendations to prepare you for the veterinary school curriculum are courses like: Animal Nutrition, Biological Sciences (e.g., Physiology, Human Physiology, Molecular Physiology, Histology, Molecular Biology, Bacterial Pathogens, Parasitology), advanced courses in Communication, Business and Psychology.

General Education Requirements

English

Minimum credits: 6 semester hours or 9 quarter units. Can be satisfied with your institution’s general education requirements, which can include: composition, literature and/or writing. A writing-intensive course will also meet this requirement.

Humanities and Social Sciences

Minimum credits: 15 semester hours or 22-23 quarter units. Can be satisfied with your institution’s general education requirements, which can include: business, languages, philosophy, religion, music and theater, political science, sociology, psychology, etc.