Below is a list of courses that are required or recommended to be eligible for entrance into veterinary school. The courses are organized by year, based on a four year plan at Tufts. The courses do not necessary need to be taken during these years or in this order, but this is the recommended plan.
For more information on courses, please visit the Tufts Bulletin
Freshman Year
Biology or Chemistry?
Freshman year is when you should take general biology or chemistry. Taking both classes in the same semester is not recommended, as both have a very demanding course load. You should choose to take the one that you think you will enjoy the most or, if you plan to major in chemistry or biology, the one in which you are majoring. Freshman year of college is a big change from high school. Taking a course that you will enjoy will make the transition easier.
Biology: If you choose to take Biology, you should take Biology 13 in the fall. In the spring you will be taking Biology 14, and Biology 13 is strongly recommended as a prerequisite. You must take Biology 14 as a pre-veterinary requirement unless you have AP credit that fulfills it. Biology 14 may be taken before Biology 13.
Chemistry: If you choose to take Chemistry, you have two options in the fall: Chemistry 1 and Chemistry 11. The class you choose depends on your background in chemistry and how much you enjoy it. If you plan on majoring in Chemistry, Chemistry 11 provides a good base for more advanced courses (Note: you must have earned a 3 or better on the AP Chemistry exam to take Chemistry 11). Keep in mind that Chemistry 11 requires a bit more knowledge of calculus. Otherwise, Chemistry 1 is good option for pre-veterinary students. In the spring, you have the option of taking Chemistry 2 or 12. If you took Chemistry 1 in the fall, generally you would take Chemistry 2 in the spring, and if you took Chemistry 11 in the fall, you would take Chemistry 12 in the spring.
AP Credit: If you earned a 5 on the AP Biology exam, you have the option of taking only Biology 13 OR Biology 14, instead of both, and if you do so you receive one acceleration credit for the AP exam. If you take both Biology 13 and 14, you will not receive credit for the AP exam.
If you earned a 5 on the AP Chemistry exam, you can be placed in Chemistry 31 or 51, and you receive 2 acceleration credits.
Fall Semester
General Biology with Laboratory
0003 Fundamentals of Biology. An introductory course for potential biology majors who do not have a strong high school science background and for nonscience majors who are interested in a general introduction to biology. Selected topics in cell structure and function, energy transformations in living systems, genetics, and physiology. Fall. Gaudette
OR
0013 Cells and Organisms. An introductory course primarily for prospective biology majors. General biological principles and widely used methods related to current advances in cell and molecular biology, genetics, immunology, plant and biomedical sciences. Three lectures and one laboratory each week. Prerequisites: advanced high school chemistry and biology recommended. Fall. Members of the department
OR
General Chemistry with Laboratory
0001 Chemical Fundamentals. Atomic and molecular structure; intermolecular forces and states of matter; the relation of structure and bonding to the physical and chemical properties of matter; patterns of chemical reactions. Qualitative thermodynamics and equilibrium. Three lectures, one laboratory, one recitation. Only one of Chemistry 1, 11, or 16 may be counted for credit.
OR
0011 General Chemistry. Topics covered are the same as in Chemistry 1, but discussed in greater detail and with a higher degree of mathematical rigor. Designed to provide a strong foundation for advanced courses in chemistry. For well-prepared students intending to be science majors. Some familiarity with elementary calculus concepts assumed. Three lectures, one seminar on frontiers in chemistry, one laboratory, one recitation. Three courses. Prerequisites: Score of at least 3 on the AP chemistry exam or consent; Mathematics 32 (may be taken concurrently). Only one of Chemistry 1, 11, or 16 and one of Chemistry 2 or 12 may be counted for credit.
Spring Semester
General Biology with Laboratory
0014 Organisms and Population. Forms a logical sequel to Biology 13. Selected topics in animal and plant physiology, development, genetics, and population biology, with emphasis on evolutionary mechanisms. Three lectures and one laboratory each week. Prerequisite: Biology 13 strongly recommended. Spring. Members of the department
OR
General Chemistry with Laboratory
0002 Chemical Principles. Physical and chemical equilibria, properties of solutions, thermochemistry and thermodynamics. Chemistry of selected elements. The laboratory includes preparative inorganic chemistry. Additional topics may include electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, coordination chemistry, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, biochemistry. Three lectures, one laboratory, one recitation. Prerequisite: Chemistry 1, 11, 16, or consent. Only one of Chemistry 2 or 12 may be counted for credit.
OR
0012 General Chemistry. Topics covered are the same as in Chemistry 2, but discussed in greater detail and with a higher degree of mathematical rigor. Designed to provide a strong foundation for advanced courses in chemistry. For well-prepared students intending to be science majors. Some familiarity with elementary calculus concepts assumed. Three lectures, one seminar on frontiers in chemistry, one laboratory, one recitation. Three courses. Prerequisites: Score of at least 3 on the AP chemistry exam or consent; Mathematics 32 (may be taken concurrently). Only one of Chemistry 1, 11, or 16 and one of Chemistry 2 or 12 may be counted for credit.
Sophomore Year
If you chose to take general biology in your Freshman year, you will take general chemistry in your sophomore year. If you chose to take general chemistry in your Freshman year, you will take general biology in your sophomore year. Please refer to the Freshman Year section for information on introductory biology and chemistry courses.
Recommended:
Fall Semester
Genetics
0041 General Genetics. Basic concepts of classical and molecular genetics, including Mendelian genetics, genetic mapping, recombination, the genetic code, gene transcription and translation, regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, genetic engineering, and human chromosomal abnormalities. Prerequisite: Biology 13 or equivalent. Fall. Freudenreich, Siegel
Spring Semester
Cell Biology
0046 Cell Biology. Basic concepts of cellular organization, function, regulation. Emphasis on molecular/biochemical approach to fundamentals of bioenergetics; plasma membrane functions such as transport, secretion, and signal transduction; organelle function and biogenesis; cell growth and division. Prerequisite: Biology 13 and 14 or equivalent. (Group A.) Spring. Lynch
Animal Behavior
0130 Animal Behavior. An examination of ethological theory: the development of behavior, orientation, migration, communication, and social behavior. Particular emphasis will be placed on the functioning of animal societies. Prerequisites: Biology 13 and 14, or equivalent. (Group C.) Spring. Starks
Junior Year
Fall Semester
Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory
0051 Organic Chemistry I. Structure, bonding, stereochemistry, and reactions of carbon compounds. Mono- and polyfunctional compounds, aliphatic and aromatic structures. Synthesis, reaction mechanisms, electronic interpretations of reactivity, spectroscopy. Two 75-minute lectures, one recitation. One course. (Note: The laboratory course, Chemistry 53, is normally taken concurrently with Chemistry 51.) Prerequisite: Chemistry 2 or 12. Fall.
AND
0053 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I. Experiments based on topics in Chemistry 51. One laboratory, one lecture. One-half course. Co-requisite or prerequisite: Chemistry 50 or 51. Fall.
Recommended:
Physiology
0075 Comparative Vertebrate Physiology. A comparative study of vertebrate function. Physiology of selected systems, including digestion, circulation, excretion, respiration, and temperature regulation. Emphasis on physiological adaptations to the environment. Three lectures. Prerequisites: Biology 13L and 14. One year of chemistry recommended. (Group B.) Fall 2007 and alternate years. Bernheim
AND/OR
0115 General Physiology I. Elements of homeostasis, circulation, respiration, and excretion are discussed at various levels, from the molecular to the organ system. Prerequisites: Biology 13 and 14, or equivalent. (Group B.) Fall 2006 and alternate years. Bernheim, Cochrane
Biostatistics
0132 Biostatistics. An examination of statistical methods for designing, analyzing, and interpreting biological experiments and observations. Topics include probability, parameter estimation, inference, correlation, regression, analysis of variance, and nonparametric methods. Prerequisites: Biology 13 and 14, or equivalent, plus one additional biology course. Fall 2007. Lewis
Spring Semester
Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory
0052 Organic Chemistry II. Continuation of the topics presented in Chemistry 51. Two 75-minute lectures, one recitation. One course. (Note: The laboratory course, Chemistry 54, is normally taken concurrently with Chemistry 52). Prerequisite: Chemistry 51. Spring
AND
0054 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II. Experiments based on topics in Chemistry 52. One laboratory, one lecture. One-half course. Prerequisite: Chemistry 53. Co-requisite or prerequisite: Spring.
Recommended:
Microbiology with Laboratory
0106 Microbiology. A survey to provide a general understanding of bacteria and viruses. Bacterial structure, growth, ecology, pathogenic mechanisms, and viral life cycles. The laboratory will familiarize students with microbiological methods and various groups of microorganisms. Three lectures, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: one intermediate biology course, or equivalent, and Chemistry 2. (Group A.) Spring. Siegel
Physiology
0116 General Physiology II. Elements of homeostasis and of endocrine, digestive, nervous, and muscular systems are discussed at various levels, from the molecular to the organ system. Prerequisites: same as for Biology 115. (Group B.) Spring 2007 and alternate years. Cochrane, Bernheim .
Senior Year
Fall Semester
Physics I
0001 Introductory Physics. Principles and concepts of classical and relativistic mechanics; heat; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; properties of waves; light; sound; atomic, nuclear, and particle physics; astrophysics. Lectures, recitations, laboratories. Physics 1 is a prerequisite for Physics 2.
OR
0011 General Physics. Principles of classical mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, waves, and light. Lectures, recitations, laboratories. Prerequisite: must be preceded or accompanied by Mathematics 32 and 34 or equivalent. Physics 11 is a prerequisite for Physics 12.
Biochemistry
0171 Biochemistry I. First course in a two-course sequence. Chemistry of biological molecules: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, etc. Mechanisms of enzyme and ribozyme catalysis. Metabolic pathways, integrated metabolic systems, and molecular physiology. Co-listed as BIO 171. One course. Prerequisites: BIO 13, CHEM 52. Fall. Members of the faculty of the Chemistry and Biology Departments.
Spring Semester
Physics II
0002 Introductory Physics. Principles and concepts of classical and relativistic mechanics; heat; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; properties of waves; light; sound; atomic, nuclear, and particle physics; astrophysics. Lectures, recitations, laboratories. Physics 1 is a prerequisite for Physics 2.
OR
0012 General Physics. Principles of classical mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, waves, and light. Lectures, recitations, laboratories. Prerequisite: must be preceded or accompanied by Mathematics 34 or equivalent. Physics 11 is a prerequisite for Physics 12.
Biochemistry
0152 Biochemistry and Cellular Metabolism. An in-depth examination of the structure and function of biomolecules: chemical and physical properties of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; enzyme kinetics and mechanisms; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids and the metabolic relationships of organ systems. Three lectures. Prerequisites: Biology 13 and Chemistry 51 or 50. (Group A.) Spring. Feldberg, Gaudette
OR
0172 Biochemistry II. Continuation of CHEM 171. Co-listed as BIO 172. One course. Prerequisites: CHEM 171.
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