A student looks through a microscope

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Degree Type:
Bachelor’s Degree
Mode of Study:
On Campus

Pre-Veterinary Medicine is an optional concentration in the Biology major that prepares students for admission to veterinary school and a career in veterinary medicine or animal science. So, if you care for the health and welfare of animals and are looking to make that a career, this is an ideal option.

Common Career Paths

Some of the top jobs for those with a Pre-Med pathway can eventually lead to various careers (with more education) including veterinarian, zoologist, veterinary technician, and more.

Common Salary Ranges for Graduates*

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for the following positions in North Carolina in 2023:

  • Veterinarian: $126,700
  • Zoologist: $69,370
  • Veterinary Technician: $44,580
  • Veterinary Assistant: $35,500

The positions and salary ranges reported here take into account not only graduating from Methodist University with a baccalaureate degree, but also graduating from a veterinary medical school.

Average Tuition Cost

The average cost for an incoming residential freshman to attend MU is less than $18,000 – similar to the cost of attending one of the big-box public schools, but with the enhanced value of a highly-regarded private school with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

While tuition varies, depending on a student’s financial aid package, it’s important to know that the average financial award for an incoming residential freshman at MU is more than $34,000.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

More than 97% of MU students receive some form of financial aid, with the University offering more than $24 million annually to students for scholarships. If a student is active military, family of active military, or a veteran, they may also qualify for MU’s military education benefits.

Curriculum Requirements

The major in Biology with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine consists of 74 credits distributed as follows:

Core Requirements

27 credits

*BIO 1530/1531 Fundamentals of Biology I with Lab (4) BIO 2960 Genetics (4)
*BIO 1560/1561 Fundamentals of Biology II with Lab (4) BIO 2990 Evolutionary Biology and Population Genetics (3)
BIO 2430 Introduction to Zoology (4) BIO 3960 Molecular Biology (4)
BIO 2440 Introduction to Botany (4)

*BIO 1530/1531 and BIO 1560/1561 must be successfully completed with a final grade of C- or higher.

Required Biology Courses

25 credits

BIO 2900 Biological Statistics (3) BIO 3310 Conservation Biology (3)
BIO 2970 General Microbiology (4) BIO 3980 Vertebrate Comparative Anatomy and Evolution (4)
BIO 3210 Insect Biology (4) BIO 4010 Embryology & Developmental Genetics (4)
BIO 3220 Animal Behavior & Nutrition (3)

Required Chemistry Courses

16 credits

CHE 1510/1511 General Chemistry I with Lab (4) CHE 2210/2211 Organic Chemistry I with Lab (4)
CHE 1520/1521 General Chemistry II with Lab (4) CHE 2220/2221 Organic Chemistry II with Lab (4)

Required Mathematics Courses

6 credits

MAT 1130 Pre-Calculus I – Algebra (or higher) (3) MAT 2200 Applied Statistics (3)

Interested in majoring in Biology with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine?

If you would like more information on the Pre-Veterinary Medicine concentration, just email Dr. Lauren Klabonski below. Otherwise, click the link to apply now!