Pre-Veterinary
Veterinarians play a major role in the healthcare of pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. Some veterinarians use their skills to protect humans against diseases carried by animals and conduct clinical research on human and animal health problems. Others work in basic research, broadening the scope of fundamental theoretical knowledge, and in applied research, developing new ways to use knowledge.**
Please click here for more information about a career in veterinary medicine.
Additional Requirements
Coursework
Veterinary schools often require 1 semester of microbiology with lab & biochemistry. Taking advanced science coures can be beneficial to your knowledge and application. Consider taking one or more of the following courses, only if you are confident you can do well.
- BIO 310: Cell Biology
- BIO 315: Microbiology
- BIO 320: Genetics
- BIO 328: Mammalian Physiology
- BIO 361: Biochemistry
- ANP: 300: Human Anatomy
- Animal Nutrition: Some veterinary programs may require a nutrition course. Stony Brook University does not offer this type of course. Many students have taken ANSC 22100 at Purdue University. Please click here for more information.
Experiences
Students should also have two 10 week field experiences: one with large animals and one with small animals. See below for opportunities.
- Opportunities for Pre-Veterinary Medicine Students (extensive list of opportunities)
- Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Atlantis Marine World
Important Veterinary Medicine Links and Resources
- AAVMC: Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
- AAVMC: Pre-Vet Advisor e-newsletter
- VMCAS: Veterinary Medical Colleges' Application Service
- VMSAR: Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements
- Committee Letter Process
- Letter of Recommendation Guidelines
- GRE: Graduate Record Examination
Vet Tech
Owners of pets and other animals today expect state-of-the-art veterinary care. To provide this service, veterinarians use the skills of veterinary technologists and technicians, who perform many of the same duties for a veterinarian that a nurse would for a physician, including routine laboratory and clinical procedures. Although specific job duties vary by employer, there often is little difference between the tasks done by technicians and by technologists, despite some differences in formal education and training. As a result, most workers in this occupation are called technicians.**
Please click here for more information about veterinary technicians.
Please click here for more information about vet tech programs.
**Taken from www.explorehealthcareers.org