Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (BS-DVM)

B.S. in Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Seven-year Program (with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts)

This accelerated, combined degree program provides qualified students the opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree in seven years, one year less than the normal span of eight years. The bachelor’s degree (B.S. in biology) is awarded by Fairleigh Dickinson University and the doctoral degree (D.V.M.) by Ross University. English is the teaching language.

Students are admitted to FDU as incoming freshmen or qualified transfer students. They may apply for the B.S. degree upon successful completion of six semesters at FDU, including the courses listed below, and the first year of study (three semesters) at Ross University. A maximum of 32 credits from Ross University may be transferred toward completion of the B.S. degree at FDU.

The program prepares students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree to become successful veterinarians in the United States. The program is an accelerated program which takes a little more than three years. The last three semesters are spent on the campus of one of the U.S. veterinary schools affiliated with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. The U.S. Department of Education has certified Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine as an eligible institution for the Title IV U.S. Federal Family Education Loan program.

Web site: http://www.rossu.edu/vet/

Combined Degree Program Requirements

While enrolled at FDU, students are required to follow the accelerated preprofessional curriculum in biology and are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point ratio (CGPR) of 3.25 or higher in all course work and a minimum of 3.00 in prerequisite courses required by Ross University.

Preveterinary Curricula

Under the provisions of the preveterinary program, students matriculate in either University College: Arts • Sciences • Professional Studies, Metropolitan Campus, or Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences, College at Florham, for a minimum of 96 credits of course work leading to the B.S. in biology (preprofessional option). The curriculum is as follows:

College at Florham

1st Semester Credits (18)

  • BIOL1201, BIOL1203 Biological Sciences I (Lecture and Laboratory)
  • CHEM1201 General Chemistry I
  • CHEM1203 General Chemistry Laboratory I
  • CSCI1105 Survey of Computers and Computer Software
  • ENGL1101 English Composition I
  • FRSH1000 Freshman Seminar
  • MATH1133 Applied Statistics

2nd Semester (18)

  • BIOL1202, BIOL1204 Introduction to Molecules, Cells and Genes (Lecture and Laboratory)
  • CHEM1202 General Chemistry II
  • CHEM1204 General Chemistry Laboratory II
  • CORE1006 The Global Challenge
  • ENGL1102 English Composition II
  • Mathematics Sequence

3rd Semester (16)

  • BIOL3253, BIOL3254 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (Lecture and Laboratory)
  • CHEM2261 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM2263 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
  • ENGL2201 Masterpieces of World Literature I
  • Mathematics Sequence

4th Semester (15)

  • BIOL2003, BIOL2004 Cell Biology (Lecture and Laboratory)
  • CHEM2262 Organic Chemistry II
  • CHEM2264 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
  • CORE2007 Perspectives on the Individual
  • ENGL2202 Masterpieces of World Literature II

5th Semester (15)

  • BIOL3009, BIOL3019 Microbiology (Lecture and Laboratory)
  • BIOL3256, BIOL3257 Genetics (Lecture and Laboratory)
  • CORE2008 Cross-cultural Perspectives
  • PHYS2201 Physics Laboratory I
  • PHYS2203 University Physics I

6th Semester (16)

  • BIOL3337, BIOL3327 General Physiology (Lecture and Laboratory)
  • CHEM3281 Biochemistry I
  • PHYS2202 Physics Laboratory II
  • PHYS2204 University Physics II
  • Fine Arts Elective
  • Humanities Elective
 

Admission to the Combined Degree Program

High school seniors with a combined SAT score of 1150 and higher and ranking in the top 25 percent of their class or qualified students who have completed their first year of college study with a grade point ratio (GPR) of 3.40 or higher may apply for admission to the combined degree program.

All applicants for admission to the combined degree program must satisfy secondary school preparation in English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics. The high school grade point average and rank in class, along with letters of recommendation from high school teachers, will be of primary importance in evaluating applicants’ credentials. Applicants are required to submit scores in the verbal and mathematical components of the SAT.

After preliminary screening of the applications by the FDU Office of Admissions, qualified applicants will be invited for an interview with the FDU/Ross University Joint Admissions Committee.

Qualifying for Enrollment at Ross University

Qualified students enrolled in the combined degree program will be guaranteed a seat at Ross University for training in veterinary medicine. To qualify, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Completion of all FDU curriculum requirements, including the general education requirements and the degree program requirements for the major and all prerequisite courses required for admission at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Students need to obtain a GPR of 3.00 or higher in prerequisite courses with no D or F in any of the courses;
  • A GPR of 3.25 or higher;
  • Submission of a satisfactory Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score (25 or higher) in a timely fashion;
  • Students currently enrolled at FDU who seek admission to the combined degree program must apply to the School of Natural Sciences, University College: Arts • Sciences • Professional Studies, Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J., or to the department of biological and allied health sciences, College at Florham, Madison, N.J., prior to the completion of 60 credit hours at FDU or at least one year before the anticipated date of matriculation at Ross University; and
  • Students enrolled in the combined degree program who decide to complete the B.S. degree at FDU prior to entering Ross University must make this known to their school director or department chair prior to the completion of 60 credits at FDU or at least one year before the anticipated date of matriculation at Ross University.