Pre-Veterinary, BS
Are you ready to tackle urgent challenges and prepare to become a vet with hands-on skills? The University of Tennessee’s Pre-Professional Programs, BS in Pre-Veterinary equips you with foundational knowledge of the life and animal sciences, ensuring you’re prepared with a strong skillset to enter professional and veterinary schools. You’ll graduate equipped to lead and make meaningful contributions to the field of veterinary science.
Program Overview
The Pre-Professional Programs, BS in Pre-Veterinary teaches students foundational science knowledge for careers as veterinarians.
As a 3 + 1 program, students spend the first three years of study taking science courses in areas such as chemistry, math, physics, and biochemistry and cellularly and molecular biology, giving them a solid foundation in animal and life sciences.
In the fourth year of study, students apply to and complete one year of training in the College of Veterinary Medicine. After successfully completing the fourth year, students will be awarded a Pre-Professional Programs Bachelor of Science degree in pre-veterinary.
The pre-professional program in pre-veterinary is a great fit for students who, after completing their BS degree, plan to apply to veterinary school and complete their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
Pre-Health Professions Minor
If you’re interested in pursuing a health-related career, whether that’s dentistry, medicine, a physician’s assistant (PA), a chiropractic career, and so much more, the minor in pre-health professions equips you with all the prerequisite courses needed to apply to professional schools, whether that’s medical, veterinary, dental, or pharmacy school.
You’ll gain foundational knowledge in many of the life and health sciences, including biology, chemistry, nutrition, physics, and you’ll even take interdisciplinary courses in psychology, classics, and religious studies, teaching you social and cultural factors that affect healthcare.
Why Study Pre-Veterinary?
The Pre-Professional Programs, BS in Pre-Veterinary is an excellent program that prepares students with the mathematical, biological, life and animal sciences knowledge, and prerequisite courses to be successfully prepared for veterinary school.
You’ll gain specialized knowledge, take interdisciplinary coursework, and obtain practical, hands-on skills that will help you transform how you show up to the professional world.
Plus, our 3 + 1 programs boasts an opportunity for students to gain professional and hands-on experience in the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine, a program that has been ranked #21 in Veterinary Medicine by U.S. News and World Report.
At UT, you’ll have exceptional student experiences that prepare you for how work is done today.
What Can You Do with a BS in Pre-Veterinary After Graduation?
The Pre-Professional Programs, BS in Pre-Veterinary prepares students to enter professional veterinary schools and obtain their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
After obtaining the DVM, students can work as vets, caring for the welfare of animals ranging from traditional domestic pets—dogs, cats—to more exotic animals such as fish, tortoises, birds, and even snakes. While becoming a traditional veterinarian is the most common career path, this degree also prepares students for careers in public health, research and teaching, wildlife conservation and ecology, and so much more.
This program stands out for its unique blend of hands-on and practical skills, equipping students with “T-shaped” skills for collaboration and success in their careers.
Featured Courses
BIOL 240 General Genetics
This course covers classical and modern principles of heredity. Topics include meiosis and transmission genetics; molecular genetics and gene expression; population and evolutionary genetics. Discussion sections will emphasize problem-solving skills. Emphasis on development of analytical skills.
BCMB 311 Advanced Cellular Biology
Students will learn cellular structure and function at the molecular and supramolecular level. Topics include protein structure and function, membrane structure and function, signal transduction and cell regulation, mitosis and the cell cycle, cytoskeleton and cell motility, cell-cell interactions and tissues.
CHEM 360 In-depth Organic Chemistry
This course covers compounds of carbon and their reactions. Reaction mechanisms, multistep synthesis, spectroscopic, and other physical properties.
PHYS 221 Elements of Physics I
In this course, students learn basic physical principles and applications required in pre-medical, pre-pharmacy and pre-veterinary programs. Mechanics, heat, and wave motion.
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