What college courses do you take to become a vet?

Becoming a veterinarian requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree, which is a postgraduate professional degree. You don't take the DVM courses directly after high school. First, you need a bachelor's degree. While there's no single required major, the curriculum should include several prerequisite courses to gain admission to veterinary school. These typically include:

Essential Pre-Veterinary Courses:

* Biology: Multiple semesters of biology, including general biology, cell biology, and often genetics. Labs are usually required.

* Chemistry: General chemistry (inorganic), organic chemistry (often two semesters), and biochemistry are typically required. Labs are usually required.

* Physics: Generally one year of physics (with lab).

* Mathematics: Often requires at least one year of college-level mathematics, sometimes including calculus.

* Animal Science/Zoology: Courses focusing on animal biology, anatomy, physiology, and behavior.

* Anatomy & Physiology: Detailed study of animal structure and function.

Highly Recommended or Often Required Courses:

* Microbiology: Study of microorganisms.

* Statistics: Understanding statistical analysis is helpful for interpreting research and data.

* English/Writing: Strong communication skills are essential.

* Other electives: Some schools encourage or require electives in related areas such as ecology, animal behavior, or specific areas of interest within veterinary medicine.

Important Note: The specific prerequisite courses and their required number of credit hours vary significantly between veterinary schools. You MUST check the admission requirements of the specific veterinary schools you plan to apply to *before* you start your undergraduate coursework. Each school has its own list of required and recommended courses. Starting early and meticulously researching your target schools is crucial for a successful application.