Coursework

Disclaimer: Degree requirements are specific to your catalog year. For the most current courses, curriculum, other degree-related information, and faculty listings, please visit the online catalog at www.gvsu.edu/catalog/.

Emphasis Requirements

Preveterinary students should plan to complete the following courses in addition to meeting the core and other requirements for the biology major:

CHM 241 Organic Chemistry I

CHM 242 Organic Chemistry II

CHM 461 Biochemistry I

PHY 220 General Physics I

PHY 221 General Physics II

BIO 357 Environmental Microbiology or BMS 212/213 Introductory Microbiology and lab (counts as part of the 13 elective credits)

Students must have competency in college algebra and trigonometry (MTH 122 and MTH 123) and must complete an English course with a minimum of three semester credits that must include composition, reading, speech, and other communication skills (WRT 150). Students with a preveterinary emphasis must choose biology electives from the following courses:

BIO 222 Natural History of Vertebrates

BIO 232 Natural History of Invertebrates

BIO 302 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

BIO 303 Plants (fulfills plant course requirement; consult with your advisor for more options)

Note: In addition to BIO 303, the following classes are acceptable for the plant elective requirement: BIO 323. 333, 403, 413, 423, and 573 (with permission).

BIO 352 Animal Behavior

BIO 422 Embryology

BIO 432 Comparative Animal Physiology

Completion of the biology degree and emphasis fulfills MSU School of Veterinary Medicine course requirements for admission with the exception of an animal nutrition course. Consult your advisor or MSU for details.

Additionally, MSU requires applicants to accumulate experience working with a veterinarian and both small and large animals. At least one letter of recommendation must come from a veterinarian, so this is a critical requirement for successful admission.

Suggested Order of Coursework*

First Year

Fall Semester

BIO 120 General Biology I

CHM 115 Principles of Chemistry I

MTH 122 College Algebra

General education course/theme/issues

Winter Semester

BIO 121 General Biology II

CHM 116 Principles of Chemistry II

MTH 123 Trigonometry

WRT 150 Strategies in Writing

Second Year

Fall Semester

BIO 215 General Ecology

CHM 241 Organic Chemistry I

STA 215/MTH 125/MTH 201 Calculus I

General education course/theme/issues

Winter Semester

BIO 380 Principles of Animal Nutrition (counts as biology elective)

CHM 242 Organic Chemistry II

General education courses/theme/issues

Third Year

Fall Semester

BIO 375/376, Genetics

CHM 461 Biochemistry I

PHY 220 General Physics I

General education courses/theme/issues

Winter Semester

BIO elective

PHY 221 General Physics II

General education courses/theme/issues

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

BIO 405/406 Cell and Molecular Biology

BIO 357 or BMS 212/213

BIO elective or general education course/theme/issues

Winter Semester

Biology 495 Evolutionary Biology (capstone)

General education courses/theme/issues

BIO elective

*Assumes Grand Valley MTH 110 requirement has been fulfilled.