{"id":2522,"date":"2023-04-20T20:11:41","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T20:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetmed.iastate.edu\/future-dvm-students\/foundational-course-requirements\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T19:07:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T19:07:35","slug":"foundational-course-requirements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vetmed.iastate.edu\/future-dvm-students\/prospective-student-information\/pre-veterinary-requirements\/foundational-course-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"Foundational Course Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"text-content\">\n\t\t<p>Applicants for admissions to the College of Veterinary Medicine must have completed 64 semester credits by the end of the spring term of the year in which the applicant seeks to be admitted. If a course is repeated, the most recent grade received will be used in the GPA calculation and replaces any previous grades. <strong>A course may only fulfill one requirement. For example, if you have a 3000-level genetics course, it can be used to fulfill genetics, but cannot be used to also fulfill the Upper-Level Biomedical Course Requirement.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A Bachelor&#8217;s degree is not required for admission to Iowa State&#8217;s College of Veterinary Medicine unless it is being used to fulfill a requirement such as Oral Communication or three credits of English Composition. Applicants must complete the specified prerequisite courses at a regionally accredited college or university to fulfill the academic requirements.<\/p>\n<h3>Minimum GPA Requirements<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Cumulative undergraduate GPA &#8211; 2.5 on a 4.0 scale<\/li>\n<li>Required Science GPA &#8211; determined yearly based on applicant pool.\u00a0 Transcripts submitted to VMCAS are used.\u00a0 No pending or planned coursework is considered in calculating this initial cutoff. (For 2027 cycle, the cutoff is 2.8 for all applicants).<\/li>\n<li>Last 45 Credit GPA &#8211; no minimum required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>All applicants, regardless of major, must complete the following coursework or their equivalents.<\/strong>. Credit earned must be equivalent of the Iowa State University courses listed. <strong>Prospective students and applicants are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to contact\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:cvmadmissions@iastate.edu?subject=Applicant%20Web%20Inquiry\">cvmadmissions@iastate.edu<\/a>\u00a0if there are questions concerning whether a course will fulfill the ISU-CVM requirement.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>All science requirements should be fulfilled by the time of application or scheduled for completion by the end of the fall term in which the applicant applies.<\/strong> However, if necessary, the applicant may complete up to two required science courses after Fall grades are in (due December 31). <a href=\"https:\/\/vetmed.iastate.edu\/future-dvm-students\/prospective-student-information\/application-requirements\/transcripts-for-veterinary-medicine-applicants-only\/\">Transcripts<\/a>\u00a0for any remaining courses and\/or degrees must be received by July 1.\u00a0 There is no maximum number of non-science required courses that may be completed but the transcript deadline of July 1 applies.\u00a0The July 1 deadline for transcripts and grades is firm.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\"><em>*Science requirement &#8211; These courses are used to calculate the required science GPA. We do not use the VMCAS calculated science GPA.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">Course and Title<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\">Upper-Level Biomedical Science Coursework*<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 9 semester credits \u2013 Upper division biomedical science courses (junior-level (300\/3000) undergraduate courses or higher-level courses). Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/vetmed.iastate.edu\/future-dvm-students\/prospective-student-information\/pre-veterinary-requirements\/foundational-course-requirements\/biomedical-science-coursework-requirement\/\">Biomedical Science Coursework Requirement<\/a> page for additional details and resources on approved and not approved courses. <span style=\"color: #c8102e;\"><strong>The course <em>must<\/em> meet both the approved topic <em>and<\/em> course level based on your institution&#8217;s course numbering system.<\/strong><\/span> In most cases, the course number must be 300\/3000 and above.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vetmed.iastate.edu\/future-dvm-students\/prospective-student-information\/pre-veterinary-requirements\/foundational-course-requirements\/biomedical-science-coursework-requirement\/\">Biomedical Science Coursework Requirement<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\">General Chemistry I &amp; II<em>*<\/em><\/span><\/strong> \u2013 One year series (2 semesters or 3 quarters lecture) for science majors with one semester (2 quarters) lab.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>ISU Course Equivalent: Chemistry 1770, 1770L, and 1780 OR Chemistry 2010 and 2010L<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 7 sem\/11-12 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\">Organic Chemistry I<em>*<\/em><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 First semester of a two-semester series with lab (Organic Chemistry I with lab). Organic Chemistry II is no longer required. One semester overview organic chemistry courses will not fulfill this requirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>ISU Course Equivalent: Chemistry 3310, 3310L<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 4 sem\/6 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\">Biochemistry<em>*<\/em><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 One semester (no lab required). Must be metabolic biochemistry and cannot be biochemistry of proteins and enzymes alone. Upper-level (junior or senior) course with organic chemistry as a prerequisite.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>ISU Course Equivalent: BBMB 3010, BBMB 3160, BBMB 4040, or BBMB 4200<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 3 sem\/4 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\">Physics I<em>*<\/em><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 First semester of a two-semester series with lab (Physics I with lab). Includes mechanics, fluids, heat and thermodynamics, vibrations, waves and sound. One semester overview physics courses will not fulfill this requirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>ISU Course Equivalent: PHYS 1310\/1310L (Previously PHYS 111) or PHYS 2310\/2310L (Previously PHYS 221) or Physics 1150\/1150L<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 4 sem\/6 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\">General Biology I &amp; II (Organismal and Cellular)<em>*<\/em><\/span><\/strong> \u2013 One year series with lab each term which includes both cellular and organismal biology (i.e Biology I and Biology II OR a single organismal biology course with lab and a single cellular biology course with lab. A Bachelor\u2019s degree in biology also fulfills this requirement. If appropriate courses are taken, the grades in these courses will be used in GPA calculations even if a biology degree is earned. <strong>Microbiology will not fulfill any of the general biology I and II requirements.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>ISU Course Equivalent: Biology 2110, 2110L, 2120 and 2120L (previously Biol 201, 201L, 202, 202L)<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 8 sem\/12 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\">Genetics\/Animal Breeding<em>*<\/em><\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Mendelian and\/or molecular genetics (no lab required) or animal breeding course. A general genetics course is preferred, <span data-teams=\"true\">but animal breeding\/livestock improvement courses which include at least 50% general genetics information will be accepted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>ISU Course Equivalent: Biology 3130 (previously Biol 301), Genetics 3200 or Animal Science 3520<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 3 sem\/4-5 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\">Anatomy and\/or Physiology<em>*<\/em><\/span> (no lab required)<\/strong> \u2013 Animal or human anatomy and physiology will fulfill this requirement but must cover all systems. Upper-level comparative anatomy or physiology or, upper-level vertebrate anatomy or physiology WILL fulfill this requirement. A single course in anatomy or physiology is recommended over an anatomy\/physiology combined course. If you take an Anatomy and\/or Physiology I course, you must also take the second course (Anatomy and\/or Physiology II) in order to fulfill the requirement, although this gives you more credits than required. Avian and marine mammal anatomy and\/or physiology WILL NOT fulfill this requirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>ISU Course Equivalent: BMS 3290, BMS 5470, BMS 5380, Biology 1550, 2550 (previously Zool 155, 255), Biology 3350, 3510, or Animal Science 2140<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 3 sem\/4-5 qtr cr\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>English Composition<\/strong> \u2013 One year of composition or writing emphasis courses. May include business or technical writing. A Bachelor\u2019s degree counts for one-half of this requirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>ISU Course Equivalent: English 1500, 2500, 3020, 3090, 3120, or 3140<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 6 sem\/9 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Oral Communication<\/strong> \u2013 May include public speaking, interpersonal communication, group or organizational communication or speaking emphasis courses. A Bachelor\u2019s degree fulfills this requirement. Theater, acting, or oral interpretation of literature courses will not fulfill this requirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>ISU Course Equivalent: Speech Communications 2120, 3120, Ag Ed 3110, Communications Studies 1010, 2140, 4500A, OR English 3120<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 3 sem\/4-5 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Arts, Humanities and\/or Social Sciences<\/strong> \u2013 Courses such as psychology, sociology, economics, history, political science, art history, music appreciation, etc., will satisfy this requirement. (Skill courses such as music lessons of any type, art courses such as drawing &amp; painting, foreign language courses where you are specifically learning the language, etc. do not fulfill this requirement.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 6 sem\/9 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Electives <\/strong>\u2013 Electives can be any course that does not satisfy one of our other prerequisites. Examples include math, foreign language, courses within your major, etc.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>Semester\/Quarter Hours Required: 8 sem\/12 qtr cr<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"color: #c8102e;\"><em>*Science requirement &#8211; These courses are used to calculate the required science GPA. We do not use the VMCAS calculated science GPA.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>All required coursework must be completed with a grade of \u201cC\u201d (2.00) or better to fulfill the requirement.<\/strong> A grade of C- (1.7) is not acceptable.\u00a0 Any required science course taken more than 10 years ago may be subject to review and the applicant may be asked for further information or to repeat the course.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In order to accommodate multiple institutions\u2019 adaptations to grading as a result of COVID-19, coursework taken Pass\/Fail in Winter\/Spring 2020 through Spring 2021 will also fulfill the requirement if completed with a grade of \u201cPass.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Advance Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP)<\/h2>\n<p>The specific courses to which the AP\/CLEP credits were applied must show on your official transcript. If not, a signed letter on letterhead from the institution&#8217;s registrar must be submitted showing to which specific courses the AP\/CLEP credits were applied. This letter must be emailed to <a href=\"mailto:cvmadmissions@iastate.edu?subject=AP%20Course%20Credit%20Letter\">cvmadmissions@iastate.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\"><div class=\"text-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":2729,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2522","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Foundational Course Requirements - Future DVM Students<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/vetmed.iastate.edu\/future-dvm-students\/prospective-student-information\/pre-veterinary-requirements\/foundational-course-requirements\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Foundational Course Requirements - 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