Why study Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Dal?

A foundation for your future

Do you love animals and have a passion for their health and care? Studying Pre-veterinary medicine at Dalhousie's Agricultural Campus in Truro, N.S. is your first step towards a career in the animal care industry. Our focus on animal physiology, nutrition, behaviour and welfare sets us apart from other biology or zoology programs. The courses you take are designed to reflect those you’ll take in vet school.

Degree overview

Undergraduate Degree: Preparatory studies, typically associated with a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture)
Faculty: Faculty of Agriculture
Department: Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture
Campus: Agricultural Campus, Truro
Program Length: 2 years
Program Start: September & January



What will I learn?

Pre-veterinary medicine will provide you with the courses needed to apply to any Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program in Canada, such as the Atlantic Veterinary College (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) or the Ontario Veterinary College (Guelph, Ont.).

In your first year, you’ll take foundation-building courses in biology, chemistry, calculus and English. You'll choose from a variety of electives like agricultural ecosystems or principles of microeconomics. You’ll have the opportunity to learn through lectures, labs and tutorials. In second year, you'll have more elective options to choose from.

Sample courses:

  • Biology
  • Agricultural Ecosystems
  • Overview of Animal Health Sciences


Visit the Academic Calendar to view degree options and course details.



Careers and future study

Pre-veterinary medicine provides the foundation for a career in veterinary medicine, allowing you to choose from a wide range of specializations. Please note that taking this program does not guarantee admission into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program.

By continuing your education to receive a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) with a major in Animal Science or Aquaculture, you can pursue many other exciting options as well. You could work in any of these animal-related fields:

  • animal nutrition
  • animal care and keeping
  • zookeeping
  • aquaculture management
  • animal training
     


Admission requirements

Undergraduate admission requirements vary based on your previous education and your intended program of study at Dalhousie. Learn about our admissions requirements, book a campus tour, or connect with an advisor if you have questions about your eligibility for admission.

View admission requirements



Ready to apply?