Undergraduate Course Requirements
All applicants to the professional curriculum must achieve a minimum of 80 semester hours of college-level course work, exclusive of courses in physical education and military training.
The following list contains courses offered at the University of Florida which fulfill pre-professional requirements for admission to The College of Veterinary Medicine. Courses taken at other accredited institutions should have similar content as these courses in order to be considered equivalent.
Some of the introductory pre-professional courses may be taken at any college. However, all upper-division pre-requisite courses (3000+ level courses such as microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, etc.) must be taken at a four-year institution.
No major is given preference in the admissions process.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding course equivalency, contact Terri Weldon, Pre-Vet Adviser, at weldont@ufl.edu.
Biology
Two semesters of Biology (lecture and laboratory), one semester of Genetics, and one semester of Microbiology (lecture and laboratory).
- Biology
BSC 2010 & 2010L - Principles of Biology I
BSC 2011 & 2011L – Principles of Biology II - Microbiology
MCB 3020 & 3020L – Basic Biology of Microorganisms
- OR -
MCB 3023 & 3023L – Principles of Microbiology (restricted to microbiology majors) - Genetics
AGR 3303 – Genetics
- OR -
PCB 3063 – Genetics
- OR -
ANS 3384 – Genetic Improvement of Farm Animals
Chemistry
Two semesters of Inorganic Chemistry (lecture and laboratory), two semesters of Organic Chemistry (lecture and laboratory), and one semester of Biochemistry.
- Inorganic Chemistry
CHM 2045,2045L,2046 & 2046L – Gen Chemistry I and II - Organic Chemistry
CHM 2210,2211 & 2211L - Organic Chemistry I,II and Laboratories
-OR-
CHM 3217,3218 & 2211L – Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry I, II, and Laboratory
Note: Completing CHM 3217 and CHM 3218 will fulfill the Biochemistry requirements - Biochemistry
BCH 4024 – Introduction to Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Note: Completing CHM 3217 and CHM 3218 will fulfill the Biochemistry requirements
Mathematics
One semester of Calculus and one semester of Statistics.
Physics
Two semesters of Physics lecture and laboratory.
- PHY 2053 & 2053L – Physics I
- PHY 2054 & 2054L – Physics II
Animal Science
One semester of Introduction to Animal Science and one semester of Animal Nutrition.
Humanities
Minimum of 9 semester credits (or less depending on individual undergraduate institution requirements).
These include: ancient and modern languages, literature, history, philosophy, religion, and visual and performing arts such as music and theatre.
Social Science
Minimum of 6 semester credits (or less depending on individual undergraduate institution requirements).
These include: anthropology, archaeology, business administration, communication, criminology, economics, education, government, linguistics, international relations, political science, geography, history, law, sociology and psychology.
English
Minimum of 6 semester credits
Any General Education course that meets the writing requirement at an accredited institution is acceptable.
Electives
Variable number to bring total to 80 semester credits.
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must complete ALL required courses by the end of the spring semester in the year of admission to the professional DVM program. The only exceptions to this requirement are the courses in Animal Sciences and Animal Nutrition, which may be taken as late as the summer semester immediately preceding enrollment in the professional DVM program.
Minor variations in credits may be accepted.
Credit will be accepted for the following examinations at the level described by the Registrar at the University of Florida.
A Note on Elective Courses
The student should select subjects which are intellectually stimulating, challenging, and that contribute to overall development and maturation. Because of the demands of the professional curriculum, it is highly recommended that prospective students enroll in challenging courses that go beyond the pre-professional requirements; useful courses include comparative anatomy, embryology, and physiology. Superior performance in these kinds of courses will not only enhance the academic image of the applicant, but will also help build a solid base for more detailed courses in the professional curriculum.
Methods of observation and collection of data, evaluation, deduction, and interpretation of findings are extremely important. The analysis and organization of a set of observations into its simple components and synthesis of many fragments of data into a working hypothesis on which a plan of action can be based are critical. The student should keep these objectives in mind throughout pre-professional training. Courses that might be helpful in this area include Physics, Psychology, and other sciences.
A high degree of skill in the use of spoken and written language should be developed to extract a story accurately, to record facts systematically for the use of others, and to transmit instructions precisely. Proficiency in accurate, rapid, interpretive reading should also be mastered. Courses that might be helpful in this area include English literature, English composition, and foreign languages. The study of foreign languages enhances appreciation of the exact meaning of words and the use of subtle differences in shading.