Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Welcome to the Biology Department!
Are you passionate about animals and considering a career in veterinary health? The Biology department at The University of Akron is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and supportive pre-veterinary health program to help you achieve your goal of becoming a veterinarian.
What Does Pre-Veterinary Health Mean?
Pre-Veterinary health is the pathway undergraduate students can follow to work in the veterinary field. Veterinarians are responsible for assessing and treating animals, including performing surgery, giving health advice to animal owners, prescribing medication, and providing vaccines. To become a veterinarian, students must complete an undergraduate degree, then receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from a veterinary school.
Why Choose Our Pre-Veterinary Health Program?
Our program is designed to give you a solid foundation in the biological sciences, ensuring you're well-prepared for veterinary school and beyond. Here's what makes our program stand out:
- Rigorous Curriculum: Our courses cover essential topics such as animal physiology, microbiology, genetics, and biochemistry, providing the knowledge base you need for veterinary studies.
- Hands-On Experience: Gain practical experience through laboratory work, research projects, and internships. We have partnerships with local medical institutions and research institutions, including Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and Summa Health.
- Dedicated Faculty and Staff: Our experienced professors and advisors are here to guide you every step of the way, from course selection to veterinary school applications. Read more about our faculty and their research, or learn more about our pre-health advising services.
- Pre-Vet Club: Join our active student organization, which offers networking opportunities, guest speakers, and workshops on topics like veterinary ethics, animal behavior, and the latest advances in veterinary medicine.
- Preparation for Veterinary School: We provide specialized advising to help you navigate the veterinary school application process, including guidance on prerequisite courses, entrance exams, and interview preparation.
Curriculum Highlights
Our pre-veterinary health program includes a mix of core biology courses and electives tailored to your interests and career goals. Most pre-vet students choose to major in Biology, but we also offer a Biomedical Science degree with slightly different requirements. Key courses in our program include:
- Principles of Biology I & II: Foundational courses covering a wide variety of biological concepts on a basic level, including genetics, energy, evolution, animal diversity, nutrients, and ecology.
- Foundations of Physiology: Study the physiological processes in animals, including neurophysiology, sensory processes, and endocrinology.
- Microbiology: Explore the world of microorganisms and their roles in health and disease.
- Genetics: Understand the principles of heredity, genetic variation, and molecular biology.
Research Opportunities
Engage in cutting-edge research with our faculty members who are experts in fields such as animal behavior, ecology, and molecular biology. Conducting research as an undergraduate will enhance your understanding of scientific methods and boost your veterinary school application.
Tiered Mentoring
Our Tiered Mentoring program allows undergraduate Biology and Biomedical Science students to pursue hands-on research opportunities in labs at the University of Akron as well as at our partners, including NEOMED and Summa Health. Previous research projects have included the following:
Start Your Veterinary Journey With Us
Embark on a rewarding journey towards a career in veterinary health with our supportive and challenging pre-veterinary health program. For more information, contact our Biology Department advisors or visit our undergraduate information page to learn more about admissions, course offerings, and student resources.
We look forward to helping you achieve your dreams of becoming a veterinarian!