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

Program Information
Credential: 
Pre-Professional Study
Duration: 

2 years at RDC - 2 years at U of S

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 
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 Saskatchewan)

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

Note: Please note that Alberta students will be unable to apply to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) after the 2019-2020 year. Alberta students will need to apply to the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine program. This means Alberta students starting their pre-veterinary study in Fall 2018 will not be able to meet the prerequisites to be able to apply to the WCVM program, and will be applying to the University of Calgary.

Students from Alberta who started their studies prior to Fall 2018 can still apply if they are able to complete the requirements before the final group of Alberta students are accepted to the WCVM in 2019-20 (application deadline of Dec. 1, 2018).
 

Related Careers

Graduates find work in both private practice and government agencies. Their work involves caring for the health of farm livestock, poultry, and pet animals; also areas such as public health work, health care of zoo animals, and the field of veterinary research.

The Program

The Pre-Veterinary Medicine program is the first two years of a Bachelor of Science program, tailored to meet the admission requirements of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Program Admission Features

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine requires successful completion of 20 specific courses plus a high GPA to be eligible for admission.

Please note that University of Saskatchewan strongly encourages prospective students to work towards obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree while preparing for admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Most successful applicants have 3 or 4 years of university study prior to admission.

Admission to RDC does not guarantee admission to WCVM University of Saskatchewan. The quota for Alberta students is 20 per year. Competitive admission to professional programs requires a high grade point average. You should check with universities to be aware of specific admission requirements.

Note: After the 2019-2020 academic year, the Province of Alberta no longer funds these seats at WCVM, instead providing funding for Albertan veterinary students at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

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. Physics 30

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 Saskatchewan

(Please note these credits are U of S credits.)

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • Two Mathematical/Statistics courses (6 credits)
  • Two Arts or Science options (6 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

Explore university-level essay composition and the skills related to critical reading, interpretation, and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent. NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Introduction to Calculus with skill development lab. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus . Prerequisite: Math 30-1. Note: You should take Math 203 instead if you have at least 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both Math 202 and 203.

MATH 203

Introduction to Calculus. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Prerequisite: Math 31 or equivalent. Note: You should take MATH 202 instead if you have less than 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both MATH 202 and 203.

MATH 204

Differentiation and integration of trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Indeterminate forms and improper integrals. Techniques of integration. Applications. Prerequisite: MATH 202 or 203 or equivalent. Note: You cannot have credit in both MATH 204 and MATH 213.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations, matrix algegra, determinants, vectors, lines and planes, subspaces of n-space, and applications. Introduction to linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

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.

Suggested Pattern Year 2

Refer to Academic Advising Planning Guides

Year 2 Course Descriptions

BIOL 317

Examine the chromosomal and molecular basis for the transmission and function of genes. The fundamental principles of heredity, including Mendelian laws, genetic recombination and mapping. Molecular basis of gene structure, organization, expression and regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prerequisite: BIOL 217

BIOC 393

This is essentially the same course as BIOC 301 but has a laboratory. Prerequisites: CHEM 211 and 251 or 351 Restrictions: Students may only transfer BIOC 301 or 393 for credit.

CHEM 352

This course is a continuation of CHEM 251 or CHEM 351. Nomenclature, physical properties, stereochemistry, synthesis and reaction of aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins and amines. Chemistry of biomolecules. Use of spectroscopic tools. Industrial, environmental and biological implications. Prerequisite: CHEM 251 or CHEM 351

GENE 370

Examine the organization and expression of genetic material in bacteria and viruses based on classic experiments and molecular mechanisms. Topics include: fertility, genetic fine structure, mutagenesis, DNA repair, DNA replication, recombination and the control of gene expression. Pre-requisite: BIOL 317

MICR 365

Nutrient uptake, metabolism, extracellular proteins, chemotaxis, and differentiation. The eukaryotic microbes, their ecological roles, and eukaryotic cell culture. The interactions environment and symbiotic relationships. Basic principles of industrial microbiology. The use of biotechnology for producing economically and medically important substances. Laboratory exercises deal with topics related to the lecture material. Prerequisite: BIOL 217 and CHEM 251 or CHEM 351

PHYS 205

A non-calculus course in physics. Kinematics, vectors, and forces in equilibrium. Linear and rotational motion. Dynamics of particles (oscillations). Prerequisite: Math 30-1; Physics 30 strongly recommended.