College of Veterinary Medicine

John U. Thomson, Dean

Donald D. Draper, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs

Donald L. Reynolds, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies

Patrick G. Halbur, Interim Associate Dean for Public Service and Outreach

Departments of the College

Biomedical Sciences

Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine

Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine

Veterinary Pathology

Other units of the college include the Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and Veterinary Education and Technology Services. The college also participates in interdisciplinary majors in genetics, molecular, cellular and developmental biology, toxicology, immunobiology, and neuroscience.

The instructional objective of the College of Veterinary Medicine is to enable students to assume vital roles in society as productive health care deliverers and biomedical scientists. Such an education provides students with general learning, communication, and problem solving abilities; veterinary medical practice and research skills; and professional and ethical values.

The curriculum incorporates basic biomedical and clinical principles, clinical decision making skills, and exceptional clinical experience in production animal medicine, food animal medicine and surgery, companion animal medicine and surgery, and equine medicine and surgery.

The college is uniquely qualified to provide education in urban and rural veterinary medicine. Ames, Iowa is located in the heart of one of the world’s most intensive livestock producing areas and is just 40 minutes from the state’s capitol. The College provides extensive production animal medicine experiences and numerous diagnostic cases for students’ education. Companion animal medicine and surgery experiences are provided within the regionally recognized referral hospital and through the college’s community practice and equine ambulatory services.

The professional curriculum is a four-year course of study leading to the doctor of veterinary medicine degree. Students are admitted into the fall semester of the first year of the professional curriculum after completing a minimum of 60 semester credits of required undergraduate coursework.

A strong and reputable basic science education during the first two years of the professional curriculum prepares veterinary students for a wide range of clinical experience during the last two years of the educational program.

Fourth-year students may choose to enhance their education by earning clinical elective credits at approved government agencies, research laboratories, veterinary practices, and other university hospitals. Outstanding research programs in infectious diseases, neuroscience, and numerous other areas provide opportunities for qualified students to participate in research.

Concurrent D.V.M./M.S., DVM/Ph.D. programs are available for exceptionally qualified students who wish to obtain both veterinary and graduate degrees. Students must have a bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 128 semester credits in undergraduate and professional curricula in order to participate in the concurrent degree program. Admission to the concurrent D.V.M./graduate degree program is subject to the approval of the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and the dean of the Graduate College.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is an important recruiting center for employers seeking veterinarians for private practice; industry; educational institutions; international agencies; federal, state and local governments; the armed forces; departments of public health; zoological gardens; laboratory animal medicine agencies; and other related fields of professional activity. Graduates are highly sought after and typically have multiple employment offers upon graduation. Career services and an online job board are available for students.

Pre-veterinary Medicine Preparation

Admission Requirements

The College of Veterinary Medicine seeks students with diverse backgrounds and encourages students to enroll in baccalaureate programs in the college of their choice.

Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to complete a bachelor’s degree before applying to the College of Veterinary Medicine. When deciding which major to pursue as an undergraduate, the student should consider the area of veterinary medicine in which they intend to emphasize when they become a veterinarian. For example, those interested in food animal practice may wish to pursue a degree in biological science, animal science, agricultural economics, or business. Future companion animal practitioners may wish to consider a biological science, physical science, business, social science, or humanities degree. These examples are only suggestions. They should be considered as but a few of the many possibilities.

For the most current information regarding applications and admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine, please refer to the College web site at www.vetmed.iastate.edu/.

Applicants for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine must have attended an accredited college or university, have completed 40 semester credits prior to the deadline for filing an application for admission, and have completed 60 semester credits prior to the end of the spring term of the year in which the applicant seeks to be admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine.

All science requirements should be fulfilled by the time of filing or scheduled for completion by the end of the fall term in which the applicant applies. However, if necessary, the applicant may complete up to two required science courses during the spring term prior to matriculation.

Any required science courses taken the spring term prior to matriculation requires a grade of B (3.00) or better to fulfill the requirement. Remaining non-science required courses must be completed by the end of spring term prior to matriculation with a grade of C (2.00) or better. Required courses may not be taken during the summer prior to entering the program.

Credits earned must include the following Iowa State semester course offerings or their equivalents:

English Composition
1 year of composition or writing emphasis courses. May include business or technical writing.
Engl 104, 105, 302, 309, or 314	6 cr.
Public Speaking 1 semester public speaking course
Sp Cm 212, ComSt 214 or Ag Ed 311	3 cr.
General Chemistry with Laboratory*
1 year series (2 semesters or 3 quarters) with one semester lab
Chem 177-177L, 178	8 cr.
Organic Chemistry with Laboratory*
1 year series (2 semesters or 3 quarters) with one semester lab
Chem 331, 331L, 332	7 cr.
Biochemistry*
BBMB 301 or Biol 314	3 cr.
General Physics with Laboratory*
1 year series (2 semesters or 3 quarters) with labs each term
Phys 111, 112	8 cr.
Biology with Laboratory*
1 year series (2 semesters or 3 quarters) with labs each term
Biol 211, 211L, 212, 212L	8 cr.
Genetics *
Mendelian and molecular genetics
Biol 313 or Gen 320	3 cr.
Mammalian Anatomy or Physiology*
An S 214, BMS 329, Biol 155, or Biol 255 or Biol 335)	3 cr.
Humanities or Social Sciences	9 cr.
Electives	2 cr.
TOTAL Credits Required	60 cr.

* science requirement

Credits in the previously specified courses will normally be earned on the traditional four-letter grading system with A as the highest grade and D as the lowest passing grade. All required courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

It is generally expected that required courses have been completed within the past eight (8) years. AP or CLEP credits must be documented by original scores submitted to the University and MUST meet the University’s minimum requirement in the appropriate subject area.

CLEP credits may be accepted only for arts, humanities and social sciences. Credits in the preceding specified courses will not be accepted if earned under the pass-not pass grading system or similar options.

Application and Admission

Applicants must apply using the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). The VMCAS application may be found online at the VMCAS website (www.aavmc.org under VMCAS). Those applying through VMCAS also need to complete the ISU Supplementary Application downloadable from the College of Veterinary Medicine website. The deadline for filing the VMCAS application and evaluations is October 1. The supplemental application, transcripts and processing fee are due to the College of Veterinary Medicine postmarked by October 1. For further information visit the

College of Veterinary Medicine website at http://www.vetmed.iastate.edu and click on Admissions, or contact the College of Veterinary Medicine directly at 515-294-6808.

Any student wishing to use international coursework (including study abroad) to fulfill a preveterinary requirement must provide a transcript from the foreign institution.

A list of courses in progress at the time of filing and scheduled for completion by the end of spring term should accompany the supplemental application and transcripts. Undergraduate college credits must average at least 2.50 on a 4.00 marking system for the application to be accepted. The preceding scholastic requirements are minimum and do not assure admission even though these requirements have been fulfilled.

Admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine is on a competitive and selective basis. Undergraduate GPA, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test score (The GRE must be taken prior to October 1 of the year the applicant applies and the scores must be received by November 1), animal and veterinary experience, essays, recommendations and personal development (leadership, citizenship, etc.) are given consideration in the selection of candidates.

The majority of the positions in the entering class are reserved for residents of Iowa. The College of Veterinary Medicine contracts with the states of North Dakota, South Dakota and New Jersey. In addition, a number of positions are available to residents of other states. A few highly qualified international students may also be accepted. Consideration is given equally to all applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, disability, or age, political beliefs, or marital or familial status.