Recommended Coursework

For Stony Brook University students, Kelly Haller (Senior Academic & Pre-Health Advisor) and the SBU Pre-Health Advisory Committee provide key advising materials and pathways:

• SBU Pre-Veterinary Course Requirement & Tracking Sheet: A tailored guide matching Stony Brook course codes (e.g., BIO 201/202/203, CHE 131/132 or 152, CHE 321/322, PHY 121/122 or 131/132) to standard veterinary school admission requirements.

• SBU Pre-Health Advising Portal & Brightspace Community: Centralized hub for workshops, shadowing opportunity boards, guest speaker recordings, and vet school admissions rep Q&As.

• Advising Hub: SBU Pre-Health Advising Office

Most veterinary schools require a core set of hard sciences with lab components, plus specific upper-level biological science electives.

Core Science Prerequisites (Stony Brook Equivalents)

• General Chemistry (2 semesters with labs): CHE 131 / CHE 132 (or CHE 152) + CHE 133 / CHE 134 (or CHE 154)

• General Biology (2 semesters with labs): BIO 201 (Organisms to Ecosystems), BIO 202 (Molecular & Cellular), BIO 203 (Cellular & Organ Physiology) + BIO 204 / BIO 205

• Organic Chemistry (2 semesters with lab): CHE 321 / CHE 322 + CHE 327 (or CHE 383)

• General Physics (2 semesters with labs): PHY 121 / PHY 122 or PHY 131 / PHY 132 + PHY 133 / PHY 134

• Biochemistry (1 semester): BIO 361 or CHE 346

• Microbiology (1 semester with lab): BIO 315 + BIO 317

• Genetics (1 semester): BIO 320 or BIO 321

Non-Science & Math Requirements

• Mathematics / Statistics (1–2 semesters): AMS 110 or AMS 102 (Biostatistics) / MAT 125 or MAT 131 (Calculus)

• English Composition & Humanities (2 semesters): WRT 102 + 1 writing-intensive/humanities course

*Note: Specific prerequisite requirements vary by school (e.g., Cornell requires Animal Nutrition and Genetics, while others may require Speech/Public Speaking). Always verify individual school requirements early. 

Below is a comprehensive guide to courses that are required or recommended to fulfill prerequisites for veterinary medical schools. The courses are organized by academic year based on a four-year track at Stony Brook University (SBU). While courses do not strictly need to be taken in this exact order, this sequence provides the most balanced workload and ensures all prerequisites are met prior to applying via VMCAS. 

Freshman Year:

Biology or Chemistry First?

Freshman year focuses on establishing your introductory science foundation. Taking both General Biology and General Chemistry concurrently in your first semester is generally discouraged due to the demanding lab schedules and rigorous course loads. You should select the sequence that best aligns with your declared major or personal comfort level.

• General Chemistry Sequence: Recommended for most pre-vet science majors to allow early progression into Organic Chemistry by Junior year.

• General Biology Sequence: Ideal if you feel more confident in life sciences or are majoring in Biology.

Fall Semester

General Chemistry I with Laboratory

• CHE 131 General Chemistry I
  Course Description: First semester of a two-semester sequence covering foundational chemical principles. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, gas laws, thermochemistry, and solutions. Three lecture hours and one required recitation per week.
  Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the Chemistry Placement Exam or corequisite MAT 123 or higher.

• CHE 133 General Chemistry Laboratory I
  Course Description: Laboratory component accompanying CHE 131. Introduces basic quantitative chemical techniques, data collection, error analysis, and safety procedures. One 3-hour laboratory per week.
  Corequisite: CHE 131 or CHE 152.

OR

Advanced General Chemistry I with Laboratory

• CHE 152 Molecular Science I
  Course Description: A rigorous, mathematically intensive introductory course for students with strong preparation in chemistry. Covers atomic structure, quantum mechanics, chemical bonding, and molecular structure. Three lecture hours and one recitation per week.
  Prerequisites: High score on Chemistry Placement Exam or AP Chemistry score of 4 or 5. Corequisite: MAT 131 or higher.

• CHE 133 General Chemistry Laboratory I (Taken concurrently).

OR

General Biology I

• BIO 201 Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems
  Course Description: An introduction to the study of organisms, evolutionary biology, ecology, biodiversity, and population genetics. Emphasizes mechanisms of evolution and ecological interactions. Three lecture hours per week.
  Prerequisites: High school biology and chemistry strongly recommended.

Spring Semester

General Chemistry II with Laboratory

• CHE 132 General Chemistry II
  Course Description: Continuation of CHE 131. Topics include chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Three lecture hours and one recitation per week.
  Prerequisites: CHE 131 or CHE 152; MAT 123 or higher.

• CHE 134 General Chemistry Laboratory II
  Course Description: Quantitative and qualitative laboratory experiments complementing CHE 132. Emphasizes titrations, equilibrium measurements, synthesis, and kinetics. One 3-hour laboratory per week.
  Prerequisites: CHE 133; Corequisite: CHE 132.

OR

General Biology II

• BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
  Course Description: Covers cellular structure and function, molecular genetics, gene expression, metabolism, energy transformations, and signal transduction in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Three lecture hours per week.
  Prerequisites: CHE 131 or corequisite CHE 152.

Sophomore Year:

If you took General Chemistry in your freshman year, you will complete General Biology during your sophomore year (or vice versa).

Fall Semester

General Biology Sequence (Continued)

• BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology (If not taken in Freshman Spring)

• BIO 204 Introductory Biology Laboratory I
  Course Description: First semester of the foundational biology laboratory sequence. Focuses on experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, cell biology, and organismal physiology. One 1-hour lecture and one 3-hour laboratory per week.
  Prerequisites: CHE 131 or CHE 152; Corequisites: BIO 201 or BIO 202.

Mathematics / Statistics Requirement

• AMS 110 Probability and Statistics in the Life Sciences
  Course Description: Introduction to statistical analysis methods widely used in biological and medical research. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, t-tests, ANOVA, linear regression, and chi-square tests.
  Prerequisites: Satisfaction of entry-level mathematics requirement.

Spring Semester

General Biology Sequence (Continued)

• BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
  Course Description: Focuses on homeostatic mechanisms in animals and plants. Topics include neurobiology, endocrine systems, cardiovascular function, respiration, excretion, and digestive physiology. Three lecture hours per week.
  Prerequisites: DEC C or QPS; CHE 131 or CHE 152; Pre- or Corequisite: BIO 201 or BIO 202.

• BIO 205 Introductory Biology Laboratory II
  Course Description: Continuation of BIO 204. Advanced laboratory techniques in genetics, physiology, and ecology, with continued emphasis on scientific communication.
  Prerequisites: BIO 204; Pre- or Corequisite: BIO 203.

Recommended Pre-Vet Upper-Division Biology Elective

• BIO 320 General Genetics
  Course Description: Classical and modern genetic principles. Covers Mendelian inheritance, chromosome structure, gene mapping, DNA replication, transcription, translation, mutations, and population genetics.
  Prerequisites: BIO 202.

Junior Year:

Fall Semester

Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory

• CHE 321 Organic Chemistry I
  Course Description: Structure, bonding, stereochemistry, and reactivity of organic compounds. Covers alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, stereochemistry, substitution and elimination reaction mechanisms, and basic spectroscopy. Three lecture hours and one recitation per week.
  Prerequisites: CHE 132 or CHE 152.

• CHE 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory
  Course Description: Techniques of organic chemistry, including isolation, purification, synthesis, chromatography, and spectroscopic characterization of organic molecules. One 1-hour lecture and one 4-hour laboratory per week.
  Prerequisite: CHE 134; Corequisite: CHE 321.

Recommended Pre-Vet Elective

• BIO 315 Microbiology
  Course Description: Structure, physiology, genetics, and ecology of microorganisms, with special emphasis on bacterial structure, pathogenic mechanisms, immunology, and viral replication cycles.
  Prerequisites: BIO 202.

Spring Semester

Organic Chemistry II

• CHE 322 Organic Chemistry II
  Course Description: Continuation of CHE 321. Focuses on aromatic compounds, carbonyl chemistry, carboxylic acid derivatives, amines, synthesis pathways, and biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins). Three lecture hours and one recitation per week.
  Prerequisites: CHE 321.

Recommended Pre-Vet Electives

• BIO 317 Microbiology Laboratory
  Course Description: Practical laboratory experience in microbiological techniques, including aseptic technique, staining, culturing, bacterial isolation, biochemical identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing.
  Prerequisites: BIO 204; Pre- or Corequisite: BIO 315.

• BIO 328 Mammalian Physiology (Alternative or addition to BIO 203 depth)
  Course Description: Advanced comparative and human physiological systems, focusing on endocrine, cardiovascular, renal, and gastrointestinal regulation.
  Prerequisites: BIO 203.

Senior Year:

Fall Semester

General Physics I with Laboratory

• PHY 121 Physics for the Life Sciences I
  Course Description: Introductory classical mechanics, fluids, heat, waves, and thermodynamics, tailored for biological science majors. Three lecture hours, one recitation, and one 2-hour laboratory per week.
  Prerequisites: MAT 125 or MAT 131 or corequisite MAT 123.

OR

• PHY 131 Classical Physics I (3 credits) + PHY 133 Classical Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
  Course Description: Calculus-based mechanics, kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, and rotational motion.
  Prerequisites: MAT 131 or higher.

Biochemistry

• BIO 361 Biochemistry I
  Course Description: Chemical and structural properties of proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, and metabolic pathways including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
  Prerequisites: BIO 202; CHE 322 or corequisite CHE 322 with permission.

Spring Semester

General Physics II with Laboratory

• PHY 122 Physics for the Life Sciences II
  Course Description: Continuation of PHY 121. Electricity, magnetism, optics, wave behavior, atomic structure, and radiation physics relevant to biological systems.
  Prerequisites: PHY 121.

OR

• PHY 132 Classical Physics II (3 credits) + PHY 134 Classical Physics Laboratory II (1 credit)
  Course Description: Calculus-based electromagnetism, circuits, light, and optics.
  Prerequisites: PHY 131 and PHY 133.

Recommended Advanced Electives

• BIO 362 Biochemistry II (Recommended for top-tier research or specialized vet programs)
  Course Description: Biosynthesis of lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides. Integration of metabolic pathways, signal transduction, and molecular genetics.
  Prerequisites: BIO 361.

*IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER & ADVISING NOTE:

Please Note: The course order presented below is strictly a general guideline and is not mandatory. Degree requirements and course sequences vary based on your individual major and academic standing. You should ALWAYS consult with an academic advisor prior to scheduling classes.

Furthermore, this list covers standard core prerequisites, but individual veterinary schools may have additional or unique course requirements (e.g., Animal Nutrition, Public Speaking, or specific humanities). For a personalized multi-year timeline and tailored academic planning advice, please schedule an appointment with Stony Brook's Pre-Health Advisor, Kelly Haller.

The AAVMC (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges) is the primary governing body for veterinary medical education in North America & internationally. 

• AAVMC Summary of Course Prerequisites Chart: Official document updated annually detailing exact prerequisite differences across all accredited vet schools.

• VMSAR (Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements) Directory: Official searchable database to compare school deadlines, tuition fees, required hours, GRE/MCAT policies, and class profile statistics.

• Main Portal: AAVMC Official Website