Colorado State Vet School Prerequisites: The Full List- every prerequisite for Colorado State’s DVM program — including the upper-division science it emphasizes, recency rules, and what you can complete online.
| Quick answerColorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences requires general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, systems physiology (or anatomy & physiology I & II), plus English, math, and other coursework — all with a grade of C- or better, and prerequisites may be completed at any accredited institution. CSU emphasizes upper-division biomedical science and applies a 10-year recency rule to biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and systems physiology. Foundation courses can be completed online; the upper-division ones are best taken at a four-year institution. |
Colorado State runs one of the top-ranked DVM programs in the country, and its prerequisite list leans noticeably toward upper-division biomedical science — genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and systems physiology — alongside the standard chemistry and general-education requirements. That emphasis shapes where an online foundation provider fits and where you’ll need a four-year institution. This guide lays out the full list, CSU’s recency rules, and an honest read on online completion.
Verify the current requirements directly with the program, since they change — the authoritative source is the Colorado State College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and you can compare programs through the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).
Candidates must complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of C- or better by the July before matriculation. CSU has updated several requirements recently, so confirm the current list:
| Prerequisite | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Chemistry + lab | Science | Foundation chemistry sequence. |
| Organic Chemistry | Science | Prerequisite for biochemistry. |
| Biochemistry | Upper-division | Must be upper division, require organic chemistry, and be primarily a biochemistry course. |
| Genetics | Upper-division | No longer requires a biology prerequisite (recent change). |
| Cell Biology | Upper-division | A recently added requirement. |
| Systems Physiology OR A&P I & II | Upper-division | Either pathway satisfies the physiology requirement. |
| English Composition | Gen ed | A four-year degree fulfills this requirement. |
| Mathematics / Statistics | Gen ed | As specified by the program. |
A C- or better satisfies each requirement. Importantly, students may complete prerequisites at any accredited institution, but courses must be substantially equivalent in subject content and level to CSU’s own pre-veterinary courses. Completing a four-year degree fulfills the English Composition requirement.
CSU is one of the programs that applies recency requirements, concentrated on the upper-division sciences:
If your upper-division sciences are older than ten years, plan to refresh them — and note that CSU values recent advanced coursework as evidence you can handle the DVM curriculum.
CSU’s list is unusually weighted toward upper-division science, which shapes where an online foundation provider fits. Here’s the honest breakdown:
The heart of CSU’s list is upper-division science we don’t offer. Complete these at a four-year institution:
We’ll be straight with you: CSU’s prerequisites are heavily upper-division, so an online foundation provider plays a smaller role here than at programs with lighter science lists. PrereqCourses.com fits the foundation chemistry, biology, and gen-ed pieces; the upper-division core belongs at a four-year institution.
| Verify before you enrollCSU allows prerequisites from any accredited institution, but courses must be substantially equivalent in content and level, and pre-health advisors broadly caution that many vet schools scrutinize online coursework. Confirm with CSU admissions that a specific online course meets the requirement — especially for the sciences — before enrolling. CSU offers a course-substitution request process for exactly this purpose. |
For the foundation chemistry that supports CSU’s sequence, see General Chemistry I & II with lab for vet school and General Biology I & II with lab for vet school, through regionally accredited Upper Iowa University.
What are Colorado State’s vet school prerequisites?
General and organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, systems physiology (or A&P I & II), English, and math — all with a C- or better. CSU emphasizes upper-division biomedical science. Confirm the current list, as CSU has updated several requirements.
What grade does CSU require?
A C- or better in each prerequisite. CSU also wants to see recent strong performance in upper-division biomedical science as evidence you can handle the DVM curriculum.
Does CSU have recency rules?
Yes. Biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and systems physiology must be completed within the last ten years. Other prerequisites are recommended to be within ten years.
Can I complete CSU prerequisites online?
CSU allows prerequisites from any accredited institution, but courses must be substantially equivalent in content and level, and online science coursework is scrutinized. Confirm with CSU — and use its course-substitution request process — before enrolling.
Does a bachelor’s degree fulfill any requirement?
Yes. Completing a four-year degree fulfills CSU’s English Composition requirement; no course-substitution form is needed for that.
Which CSU prerequisites can I take through PrereqCourses.com?
The foundation pieces — general chemistry, general biology, and math/statistics. The upper-division core (biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, systems physiology) and organic chemistry should be completed at a four-year institution.
Colorado State’s DVM prerequisites lean heavily toward upper-division biomedical science — biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, and systems physiology — with a 10-year recency window on those courses, alongside general and organic chemistry and the usual general education, all at a C- or better. That upper-division emphasis means an online foundation provider plays a focused role: use it for the foundation chemistry, biology, and gen-ed requirements, and complete the upper-division core at a four-year institution. Verify online acceptance and course equivalency with CSU’s substitution process, refresh any sciences older than ten years, and confirm the current list before you enroll.
Building your foundation? See General Chemistry and General Biology for vet school, and confirm equivalency with CSU before enrolling.
Plan your prerequisites across programs:
Colorado State’s prerequisite requirements, grade minimums, recency windows, and online-coursework policies are set by the program and change over time; CSU has recently updated several requirements. Details here were drawn from the program’s published materials and should be re-verified against CSU’s current College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences admissions pages before you enroll. This guide is general information only and is not a guarantee of acceptance or admission. Always confirm requirements directly with Colorado State University.
