Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Science Pre-Professional - University of Calgary

Program Information
Credential: 
Pre-Professional Study
Duration: 

2 years at RDC - 2 years at U of C

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Nancy Brown
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
University Transfer Program

Two Year Pre-professional Program: (University of Calgary)

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

Related Careers

The program will prepare graduates for work in both private practice (community and rural practice), and government agencies and also such areas as public health work, health care of zoo animals, and the field of veterinary research.

The Program

This pre-professional Doctor of Veterinary medicine program may fulfill credit towards a Bachelor of Science program or other degree program.

Program Admission Features

The University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) program requires successful completion of 48 credits of full time post secondary course work (4 full time post secondary terms) to be eligible for admission consideration. Applicants must complete 10 required courses (30 credits) plus another 18 credits of course work. UCVM will not normally consider applicants who present required courses taken more than 10 years prior to the application date. Admission is highly competitive, meeting admission criteria does not necessarily guarantee admission to UCVM and only residents of Alberta are eligible to apply. UCVM strongly encourages students to apply to the program as soon as they meet the minimum requirements. These requirements can be met after two years at RDC.

Prospective veterinary medicine students are advised to design their 2 year program to meet admission requirements at UCVM while pursuing an alternate degree suitable to their interests and possible future employment.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Related Link: Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admissions page for detailed group descriptions.

Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. Biology 30
  2. Chemistry 30
  3. ELA 30-1
  4. Mathematics 30-1
  5. Subject from Group A, B, or C

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass 20 term university transfer courses or a minimum of 60 credit hours, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to receive a Diploma in University Transfer Studies.

Program Content
University of Calgary

(Please note these are U of C credits)

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • STAT 251 (3 credits)
  • ENGL 219 (3 credits)
  • Four Arts or Science options (12 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

BIOL 217

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Topics include: biological macromolecules; membrane stucture and function; cellular structure; bioenergetics and energy flow; respiration and photosynthesis; cell division and the cell cycle; DNA structure and replication; transcription and translation; recombinant DNA and genetic regulation. Prerequisite: Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

BIOL 218

Examines the major lineage of life on Earth. Overview of evolutionary principles and classification; the history of life; and the key adaptations of prokaryotes; protists; fungi; plants; and animals. Laboratories survey the diversity of biological form and function; and introduce the students to data collection and scientific writing. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 is not a pre-requisite for BIOL 218. Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

CHEM 211

The first introductory-level chemistry course that focusses on the foundations of atomic properties and chemical reactions. Topics include: stoichiometry; reactions and titrations; ideal gases; atomic structure and bonding; chemical equilibrium; and acids and bases. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30-1.

CHEM 212

The second introductory-level chemistry course that further expands upon the foundations of various chemical reactions and systems by discussing their equilibrium and reaction rates. Topics include: buffers; titration curves; solubility and complex ion equilibria; thermodynamics and thermochemistry; chemical kinetics; and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

CHEM 351

An introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds. The molecular structure; nomenclature; reactions; reaction mechanisms; structure determination and stereochemistry of alkanes; alkenes; alkynes and alkyl halides is discussed. Important organic compounds related to industry; agriculture and everyday use (polymers; fats; soaps; pesticides; medicinals; etc) are introduced. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 Note: You can only get credit for one of CHEM 241; CHEM 251 and CHEM 351.

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

STAT 251

Data collection and presentation; descriptive statistics. Probability distributions; sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Point estimation and hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression analysis. Goodness-of- fit and contingency table. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 Note: This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in any of STAT 241; PSYC 309; SOCI 311; or BUS 306.

Year 2

Please see an Academic Advisor.