Biology

Pre-Vet Program

Programs of Study Pre-Veterinary Emphasis
Modern veterinary medicine is based on the shared-health concept, that veterinary medicine, human health, agriculture, and environmental safety are fundamentally interrelated. The goal of professional veterinary education is to prepare future veterinarians who are both competent and committed to using their scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the provision of primary animal health care, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of livestock resources, the development and implementation of public health programs, and the advancement of biomedical knowledge through research [From College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University]. Consequently, veterinary programs such as that at MSU seek those applicants who best demonstrate the personal and academic potential to contribute to the broad spectrum of the veterinary medical profession.	Visit the Grand Valley Vet Club The club is a student organization devoted to providing a collegial atmosphere at Grand Valley for preveterinary students and to assist students seeking careers as veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
GVSU's Biology Department has been sending students to graduate programs in veterinary medicine for many years. The Preveterinary Studies emphasis has been designed to increase the efficiency of preprofessional preparation for students and to increase their visibility at GVSU. Because of residency quotas and tuition considerations, most GVSU students complete their professional veterinary training at Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The courses outlined in this Preveterinary Studies emphasis meet all the current course requirements for MSU. The emphasis will also prepare students for admission to veterinary schools around the world, usually with only minor adjustments. Visit the AAVMC link for information about careers in veterinary medicine, about schools of veterinary medicine, and about the VMC application service. Early consultation with the Biology Department's Prevet Advisor, Dr. Terry Trier (triert@ gvsu.edu), is strongly encouraged.
Preveterinary students should plan to complete the following courses in addition to meeting the core and other requirements for the Biology major: CHM 241 (5 cr.) Organic Chemistry I CHM 242 (5 cr.) Organic Chemistry II CHM 461 (4 cr.) Biochemistry I PHY 220 (5 cr.) General Physics I PHY 221 (5 cr.) General Physics II Students must exhibit competency in college algebra and trigonometry (MTH 122/123) and must complete an English course that includes composition, reading, speech, and other communication skills (eg. WRT 150, minimum 3 credits). Elective courses must be selected from among the following: BIO 222 (3 cr.) Natural History of Vertebrates BIO 232 (3 cr.) Natural History of Invertebrates BIO 302 (4 cr.) Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy BIO 303 (4 cr.) Plants & Fungi (meets plant course requirement) BIO 352 (3 cr.) Animal behavior BIO 422 (3 cr.) Embryology BIO 432 (4 cr.) Comparative Animal Physiology BMS 212 (3 cr.) Introductory Microbiology BMS 213 (1 cr.) Microbiology Laboratory Additional requirements: Completion of the Biology degree and the Preveterinary Emphasis fulfills all the requirements of Michigan State University's School of Veterinary Medicine for admission to the professional program. MSU requires applicants to accumulate a minimum of 240 hours of contact with the veterinary profession as well as substantial experience with both small and large animals. Suggested schedule of courses.

Page last modified May 29, 2012