Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pre-Veterinary Medicine


Most veterinary schools require a minimum of 8 credits of biology courses with accompanying laboratory courses; 8 credits of inorganic/general chemistry with labs; 8 credits of organic chemistry with labs; 1 semester of biochemistry lecture; 8 credits of physics with accompanying labs; 3 credits of calculus; 3 credits of statistics; 6 credits of English composition and/or literature courses; and 6 credits of humanities and social science courses.

Out of the five pre-health areas that are under the PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office’s umbrella, there seems to be more variability amongst the veterinary schools’ prerequisite course requirements than any other pre-professional area. Admission requirements vary per school and it is a student’s responsibility to be knowledgeable about the nuances of each veterinary school to which they plan on applying. Please refer to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) website which provides links to all of the veterinary schools and their admission requirements. Students should log onto each individual veterinary school’s website for detailed information about each school’s admission requirements. All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the Fall or Spring semester that precedes a student’s expected August matriculation into veterinary school.

The UMBC equivalents of the minimum entrance requirements for the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) are listed below. VMRCVM’s prerequisite list captures the general minimum requirements for many, but not all, veterinary schools in the United States. Admission requirements vary among veterinary schools and therefore, it is a student’s responsibility to refer to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) website which provides links to all of the veterinary schools and their admission requirements. Admission requirements are subject to change without prior notice. Students should be working closely with The PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office throughout their tenure at UMBC.

Veterinary School Requirements and UMBC Equivalent Courses


Inorganic/General Chemistry Lecture with Lab Combinations


Complete a minimum of 8 credits.

Biochemistry Lecture


Complete a minimum of 3 credits. A lab is typically not required.

Physics Lecture with Lab Combinations


Complete a minimum of 8 credits. The choice of sequence depends on the student’s major, but PHYS 111  and PHYS 112  are preferred.

English Composition


Complete a minimum of 6 credits from ENGL 100  and an additional composition course, excluding AP credit.

Humanities and Social Sciences


Complete a minimum of 6 credits from art, economics, history, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.