May 04, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Pre-Veterinary Medicine, B.S.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs

USF’s Pre-Veterinary Medicine biology program prepares students for the demands of veterinary school, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The field of veterinary medicine includes broad areas like general or specialty practice (i.e. large animal, equine), emergency or critical care, or research or applied specialization in areas such as animal nutrition, dentistry, and pharmacology, microbiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, toxicology, radiology, preventative medicine, behavior, or therapy.

Students may work in private or group practice, universities, zoological facilities, aquaria, marine labs, governmental, corporate or not-for-profit research laboratories. The federal departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and others also employ veterinarians.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students are proficient in critical, analytical, and integrative thinking in the sciences.
  • Students use the scientific method to conduct hypothesis-driven research or complete a science based service project.
  • Students demonstrate global consciousness, social responsibility, and ethical awareness in the pursuit of science.
  • Students demonstrate leadership and the ability to work in teams.
  • Students are proficient presenting scientific information in oral and written form.
  • Students demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts and principles of biology.
  • Students are confident, satisfied, and well-prepared to undertake careers in the biological sciences.

Degree Requirements

The B.S. in Biology-Pre-Veterinary Medicine degree requires 128 credit hours:

  • 36-37 credit hours of Franciscan Core general education courses,
  • 71 credit hours of prescribed courses in biology, chemistry, and physics,
  • a minimum of 12 credit hours of directed electives in biology, and
  • elective courses as needed

Program of Study


Admission Requirements


Applicants must meet University of Saint Francis admission requirements. To be successful in this rigorous program students should have a strong background in science and math with courses in biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, and geometry. It is suggested students rank in the upper half of their high school graduation class, have a GPA of at least 2.3 on a 4.0 scale and earn a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) re-centered score of 1,000 or above (Verbal/Critical Reading and Math combined) oran American College Test (ACT) composite score of 21 or above.

Progression Requirements


Pre-Veterinary Medicine biology majors must maintain a Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and arerequired to earn a grade of “C” or better in all major courses required by the major, including directed electives. These major courses may be repeated only once.

Students not meeting the progression standards can change major to B.S. in Biology or other program at USF.

Graduation Requirements


Pre-Veterinary Medicine biology majors are required to pass an exit exam by the end of their senior year.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs