UC Davis Vet School Prerequisites 2026–2027 Application Cycle- complete prerequisite breakdown for the most-applied-to US vet school — including the three upper-division four-year institution courses, the no-expiration rule, and the prerequisites that explicitly accept any accredited provider
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is the highest-application-volume US vet program — and one of the most carefully specified on prerequisite requirements. The UC Davis approach combines significant flexibility on some prerequisites (community college accepted for lower-division sciences, any statistics course accepted, prerequisite courses don’t expire) with strict restrictions on three specific upper-division sciences: biochemistry, genetics, and physiology must all be completed at the upper-division level at a four-year college or university.
This article walks through the complete UC Davis prerequisite list for the 2026–2027 application cycle: the lower-division sciences where community college and online providers are widely accepted, the three upper-division four-year-institution courses that drive most prerequisite planning decisions, the no-expiration policy that benefits career changers with old transcripts, and the GRE-free admissions process. For applicants whose target list includes UC Davis, understanding the four-year institution rule is the single most important strategic decision in prerequisite planning.
| Where PrereqCourses.com fits in a UC Davis prerequisite planUC Davis requires biochemistry, genetics, and physiology specifically at the upper-division level at a four-year institution. Community college courses cannot satisfy these three requirements, regardless of how the community college numbers the course. PrereqCourses.com courses are delivered through Upper Iowa University — a regionally accredited four-year private university founded in 1857. Upper Iowa University’s status as a four-year institution means PrereqCourses upper-division courses (300-level) qualify for UC Davis’s four-year institution requirement. PrereqCourses.com’s Biochemistry I (CHEM 330) is a 300-level upper-division course covering protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and nucleic acid metabolism — directly matching the UC Davis biochemistry-with-metabolism requirement. For statistics and the lower-division sciences, PrereqCourses.com’s broader catalog also satisfies UC Davis requirements when verification with admissions is completed first via the Prerequisite Substitution Request Form. |
UC Davis’s Academic Preparation page lists nine prerequisite categories with specific content and credit requirements. The structure separates lower-division foundational sciences (where community college is acceptable) from three upper-division courses that must be completed at a four-year institution. The table below shows the complete requirement matrix.
| UC Davis Requirement | Duration | Level | Institution Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Biology w/ lab | 2 sem/3 qtr | Lower division OK | Community college accepted |
| General Chemistry w/ lab | 2 sem/3 qtr | Lower division OK | Community college accepted |
| Organic Chemistry w/ lab | 2 sem/3 qtr | Lower division OK | Community college accepted |
| College Physics (no lab) | 2 sem/2-3 qtr | Lower division OK | Community college accepted |
| Statistics | 1 sem/qtr | Lower OR upper | ANY accredited institution; ANY stats course |
| Biochemistry w/ metabolism | 1 sem/qtr | UPPER DIVISION | FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION ONLY |
| Genetics (genes & expression) | 1 sem/qtr | UPPER DIVISION | FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION ONLY |
| Physiology (systemic) | 1 sem/qtr | UPPER DIVISION | FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION ONLY |
Note that UC Davis is one of the few US vet schools that does not require a physics lab. College Physics may be completed without a lab component, which simplifies the physics prerequisite considerably for online and remote applicants. UC Davis also does not require a microbiology course as a standalone prerequisite, though microbiology is recommended as upper-division biology coursework demonstrating preparedness.
Beyond the prerequisite courses themselves, UC Davis requires applicants to complete a bachelor’s degree by the end of the spring term before matriculation. The major is unrestricted — biology, animal science, zoology, and chemistry are common but not required.
The single most important structural rule in the UC Davis prerequisite specification: biochemistry, genetics, and physiology must all be completed at the upper-division level at a four-year college or university. The UC Davis FAQ states this directly:
| UC Davis’s four-year institution ruleFrom UC Davis FAQ: “Only lower-division required science courses (general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and general physics) and statistics may be completed at a community college. ALL upper-division course work (biochemistry, genetics, and physiology) MUST BE TAKEN at a four-year university.” Practical implication: Community college credits for biochemistry, genetics, or physiology do not satisfy UC Davis requirements, regardless of the credit level designation. Even courses labeled as “upper-division” by community colleges are not accepted. The institution awarding the credit must be a four-year college or university. |
UC Davis treats biochemistry, genetics, and physiology as the three foundational science capstones that demonstrate preparedness for the DVM curriculum. The four-year institution requirement is designed to ensure these courses include the depth and rigor typical of upper-division coursework at four-year universities — particularly the prerequisite chains that build into these courses. The biochemistry requirement specifies coverage of metabolism; the genetics requirement specifies coverage of genes and gene transcription (molecular genetics, not just Mendelian); the physiology requirement specifies systemic, medical, vertebrate, mammalian, human, animal, or comparative physiology at the upper-division level.
Any regionally accredited college or university that awards bachelor’s degrees qualifies as a four-year institution. State universities, private four-year colleges, and online four-year universities all count. Community colleges do not count, even when they offer four-year bachelor’s degree programs alongside their associate degree programs (a structure increasingly common in California’s community college system). The key test: is the awarding institution categorized as a four-year college or university for accreditation purposes?
Upper Iowa University, the institution awarding credit for PrereqCourses.com courses, is a regionally accredited four-year private university. PrereqCourses.com’s CHEM 330 Biochemistry I is a 300-level upper-division course delivered through Upper Iowa University — meeting both the upper-division level and the four-year institution criteria for the UC Davis biochemistry requirement.
UC Davis specifies that a “combined anatomy/physiology course will not satisfy the Physiology requirement unless it’s pre-approved or a year-long sequence at the upper division level.” This rules out most introductory A&P sequences (typically lower-division 200-level), which means applicants whose only physiology exposure is from a 1-year A&P sequence in nursing prerequisites typically need additional physiology coursework specifically for UC Davis. The UC Davis transferable courses database lists pre-approved courses; combined A&P sequences appearing on the list are the exceptions to the general rule.
In contrast to the strict four-year institution rule for biochemistry, genetics, and physiology, UC Davis’s statistics requirement is the most permissive in the entire prerequisite specification.
| UC Davis’s statistics policyFrom UC Davis’s prerequisite page: “Statistics 13 or 100, or other acceptable UC Davis statistics courses in agricultural business, psychology, biology, etc., may be used to meet this requirement.”From the Transferable Courses page: “No articulation agreement exists for statistics; we accept ANY course in statistics.” Practical implication: ANY statistics course from any regionally accredited institution satisfies the UC Davis statistics requirement — including statistics from business, psychology, biology, agriculture, or other departments. Lower-division or upper-division. Community college or four-year university. Calculus does NOT satisfy this requirement, but any statistics course does. |
PrereqCourses.com’s Elementary Statistics (MATH 220) through Upper Iowa University directly satisfies the UC Davis statistics requirement with no additional verification needed. The course is regionally accredited, appears on an official UIU transcript, and falls within the explicit “any statistics course” acceptance language. For UC Davis applicants who haven’t yet completed statistics, this is one of the cleanest single-course conversions available — typically completable in three to six weeks of focused study at the PrereqCourses.com self-paced pace.
UC Davis’s prerequisite page contains one of the most career-changer-friendly statements in the US vet school prerequisite literature: “Prerequisite courses do not expire.”
This means a UC Davis applicant whose general chemistry, organic chemistry, or general biology was completed 10, 15, or even 20 years ago does NOT need to retake those courses to satisfy UC Davis prerequisites. The grades from those old courses still apply to GPA calculations, but the prerequisites themselves remain satisfied. This is a meaningful departure from programs like Michigan State (8-year recency rule), Ross University (10-year rule), or Kansas State (6-year rule on upper-division sciences).
For career changers with substantial old undergraduate coursework, this rule changes the prerequisite planning calculus significantly. Rather than retaking 20+ credits of old sciences to satisfy a recency requirement, UC Davis applicants can focus their prerequisite work on the three upper-division capstone courses (biochemistry, genetics, physiology) that may be missing from old transcripts. This is structurally similar to K-State’s recency exception, but applied to all UC Davis prerequisites rather than just selected ones.
| What the no-expiration rule means for career changersIf your old undergraduate transcript shows completed general chemistry, organic chemistry, general biology, statistics, or physics, those prerequisites remain satisfied at UC Davis regardless of when they were taken. The prerequisites you may still need to complete are: biochemistry (at upper-division, four-year institution), genetics (at upper-division, four-year institution), and physiology (at upper-division, four-year institution). For career changers with non-science bachelor’s degrees, these three may also be missing alongside the lower-division foundations. |
UC Davis requires a minimum grade of C on every prerequisite course. C- is explicitly not accepted. This is stricter than most US vet schools (which accept C-) and means a single C- in a required course requires a retake. The UC Davis FAQ states this rule directly: “You must receive a passing grade for all prerequisites (C or higher; C- grades will not be accepted).”
UC Davis publishes admitted student GPA averages: California residents typically present 3.6–3.7 overall science GPA and most-recent-45-units GPA. Non-resident admitted students average 3.90. The science GPA is calculated from VMCAS-categorized science coursework and is one of the strongest predictors used in selection. UC Davis does not publish a minimum GPA cutoff but evaluates applications holistically — applicants with science GPAs below 3.5 are typically not competitive without offsetting strengths.
The 2026–2027 UC Davis application cycle follows the standard VMCAS timeline. VMCAS application becomes available January 21, with schools opening for submission on May 7. The VMCAS application deadline is September 15 at 11:59 PM ET (8:59 PM PT). The UC Davis Supplemental Application is due October 15 at 11:59 PM PST. The UC Davis application process page includes the complete timeline with interview dates and decision notification windows.
UC Davis accepts applications when 75% of prerequisites are complete at time of application. Approximately three prerequisite courses can be outstanding at application time. The remaining prerequisites must complete in the spring semester or quarter immediately before matriculation. This is more permissive than Cornell’s stricter rule requiring at least one semester of organic chemistry on the initial transcript.
UC Davis removed the GRE as an admission requirement in November 2022 following a senate faculty vote. The GRE is no longer accepted as part of the application — it does not strengthen an application even if submitted. This change simplifies the application process for career changers who would otherwise need to factor GRE preparation into their prerequisite timeline.
The table below maps each UC Davis prerequisite to its acceptance pathway, distinguishing categories where PrereqCourses.com courses directly satisfy the requirement from categories where verification through the UC Davis Prerequisite Substitution Request Form is recommended before enrollment.
| UC Davis Requirement | PrereqCourses Option | Fit | Verification Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | MATH 220 Elementary Statistics | Direct match | No — “any statistics course” accepted |
| Biochemistry w/ metabolism | CHEM 330 Biochemistry I (300-level) | Direct match | Yes — submit substitution form |
| General Biology w/ lab | BIO 135 + BIO 140 with Lab | Direct match (lower-div OK) | No — community college also accepted |
| General Chemistry w/ lab | CHEM 151 + CHEM 152 with Lab | Direct match (lower-div OK) | No — community college also accepted |
| Organic Chemistry w/ lab | CHEM 251 + CHEM 252 | Verify lab format with UC Davis | Recommended — verify lab acceptance |
| Genetics (upper-div, 4-yr inst) | BIO 282 General Genetics | Course is 200-level — likely insufficient | Yes — likely needs upper-div alternative |
| Physiology (upper-div, 4-yr inst) | BIO 270 + BIO 275 A&P | Combined A&P at lower-div — does not satisfy | Yes — needs upper-div physiology elsewhere |
| College Physics (no lab) | Not in PrereqCourses catalog | Use external online physics provider | Confirm with provider’s accreditation |
The pattern: PrereqCourses.com is the cleanest option for statistics (where any statistics course is accepted) and biochemistry (where Upper Iowa University’s four-year institution status and the CHEM 330 upper-division designation directly match UC Davis requirements). For the lower-division sciences, General Biology I (BIO 135), General Chemistry I (CHEM 151), and Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 251) through PrereqCourses.com are valid options but no more advantageous than community college from a UC Davis acceptance perspective. For genetics and physiology specifically, the upper-division four-year institution rule combined with the specific content requirements (genes and gene transcription for genetics; systemic upper-division physiology) means PrereqCourses.com’s current catalog typically needs supplementation with courses from another four-year institution.
For the three upper-division courses specifically (biochemistry, genetics, physiology), UC Davis requires applicants to submit a Prerequisite Substitution Request Form for course pre-approval before enrolling. This form is the official mechanism UC Davis uses to verify whether a specific course satisfies the upper-division four-year institution requirement.
Submit the form before enrolling in any biochemistry, genetics, or physiology course not already listed in the UC Davis articulation agreement database. This includes online courses, courses from out-of-state institutions, and courses from institutions UC Davis hasn’t previously evaluated. Submitting after enrollment is permitted but introduces risk — if UC Davis ultimately doesn’t approve the course, the credits and time investment are lost.
The form asks for institution information, course title and number, credit hours, and a course syllabus. UC Davis reviews the syllabus against their specific content requirements (biochemistry-with-metabolism; genetics-with-genes-and-gene-transcription; physiology at the upper-division level). Approval is typically returned within a few weeks, allowing applicants to enroll with written confirmation that the course will satisfy the requirement.
Per UC Davis: “Lower division required courses do not require approval unless the course title or sequence is not clearly reflective of the course content.” For PrereqCourses.com courses like General Biology I (BIO 135), General Chemistry I (CHEM 151), or Statistics (MATH 220) — all lower-division by UC Davis classification — no substitution form is required. Submitting the form for lower-division courses adds unnecessary delay; submit only for the upper-division three (biochemistry, genetics, physiology) when those courses aren’t already pre-approved in the articulation database.
UC Davis requires a minimum of 180 hours of veterinary experience by the September application deadline. Per the UC Davis Criteria for Admission page: “The committee will be looking for quality ‘hands-on’ experience in the veterinary field.” Experience may come from paid or volunteer work — shadowing veterinarians in private practice, farms, ranches, animal shelters, zoos, aquaria. Hours from academic curriculum with DVM faculty (like an animal science course) do not count toward experience hours.
While the 180-hour minimum is the floor, competitive applicants typically present substantially more — successful admitted students often have 1,000+ hours across multiple practice settings. The 180-hour minimum is for application eligibility; demonstrating breadth and depth of experience is a separate evaluation criterion.
UC Davis requires three eLORs (electronic letters of recommendation) submitted through VMCAS. At least one letter must come from a veterinarian who can attest to the applicant’s knowledge of veterinary medicine. The remaining letters may be from veterinarians, professors, researchers, or others who can speak to academic abilities and professional readiness. VMCAS accepts up to six letters, but UC Davis evaluates only three — applicants designate which three to use in the UC Davis Supplemental Application.
A composite score from the three eLORs is calculated based on evaluator ratings and combined with GPAs and distance traveled scores to rank applicants for MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) invitations. The interviews are conducted virtually using the Kira Talent video platform.
Yes for lower-division sciences and statistics. UC Davis accepts online courses from regionally accredited institutions for general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, college physics, and statistics. The three upper-division courses (biochemistry, genetics, physiology) must be at a four-year institution, but online courses from four-year institutions (such as Upper Iowa University) can satisfy this — submission of a Prerequisite Substitution Request Form is recommended for pre-approval.
Yes. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university must be earned by the end of the spring term before matriculation. This differs from Cornell (which does not require a bachelor’s degree) and Iowa State (which does not require a bachelor’s degree). For applicants who don’t currently hold a bachelor’s degree, UC Davis is not an option until that degree is earned.
Yes. Retaken courses appear on the transcript with both the original and replacement grades. The replacement grade satisfies the prerequisite (assuming C or higher), and UC Davis’s GPA calculation uses VMCAS’s grade replacement rules. UC Davis evaluates the most-recent-45-units GPA as a separate metric, which means recent strong performance in retaken or new coursework can substantially improve the academic profile even when overall GPA is lower.
UC Davis is among the most competitive US vet programs by application volume — frequently the highest-application-volume school in the nation. California resident admitted students average 3.6–3.7 in science GPA and most-recent-45-units GPA. Non-resident admitted students average 3.90. The acceptance rate fluctuates by year but is typically among the lower rates in the US — competitive applicants combine strong GPAs, substantial veterinary experience, and excellent letters of recommendation. The interview (MMI process) is invitation-only after initial application ranking.
PrereqCourses.com’s Biochemistry I (CHEM 330) is a 300-level upper-division course delivered through Upper Iowa University (a regionally accredited four-year private university). The course covers protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and nucleic acid metabolism — meeting UC Davis’s biochemistry-with-metabolism content requirement. Structurally, the course meets both UC Davis requirements: upper-division level and four-year institution. Submit a Prerequisite Substitution Request Form with the course syllabus before enrolling for written pre-approval — this is the standard UC Davis verification process for all biochemistry courses not already in the articulation database.
UC Davis’s physiology requirement specifies systemic, medical, vertebrate, mammalian, human, animal, or comparative physiology at the upper-division level. The most common online options that meet these criteria are from four-year universities offering distance education — University of New England (UNE) Online, NC State Distance Education, and Doane University all offer upper-division physiology with the required content depth. PrereqCourses.com’s Human Anatomy and Physiology courses (BIO 270 and BIO 275) are at the 200-level (lower-division) and structured as a combined A&P sequence, which UC Davis explicitly states will not satisfy the physiology requirement unless pre-approved as an upper-division year-long sequence. Verify with UC Davis before assuming these will count.
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is the most-applied-to US vet program and one of the most carefully specified on prerequisites. The 2026–2027 cycle structure separates lower-division sciences (where community college and online providers are widely accepted) from three upper-division courses — biochemistry, genetics, and physiology — that must be completed at the upper-division level at a four-year institution. Statistics is the unusually permissive prerequisite, accepted from any institution and any department.
Two policies make UC Davis unusually career-changer-friendly: prerequisite courses do not expire (no recency rule), and the GRE has been removed from the application as of November 2022. These changes combine to make UC Davis more accessible to career changers than most US vet programs, even with the strict upper-division four-year institution rule for the three capstone courses.For PrereqCourses.com use in a UC Davis prerequisite plan, Elementary Statistics (MATH 220) and Biochemistry I (CHEM 330) are the cleanest single-course conversions — statistics under the “any statistics course” rule, and biochemistry under the four-year institution rule (since Upper Iowa University is a four-year private university). For genetics and physiology specifically, current PrereqCourses.com offerings typically need supplementation with upper-division courses from another four-year institution. Submit the UC Davis Prerequisite Substitution Request Form before enrolling in any upper-division course for written pre-approval. Browse the PrereqCourses.com course catalog and consult the UC Davis prerequisite page for the authoritative current requirements.
