Be ready to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
Our Pre-Veterinary Medicine program provides a comprehensive foundation in how to improve the health and lives of animals. Through a mix of lectures, labs, field trips, tours and work-integrated learning opportunities you’ll gain valuable experience and take the first step towards a career in veterinary medicine, livestock management, applied research and more.
Why should you study Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Lethbridge Polytechnic?
Our Pre-Veterinary Medicine program provides a clear, structured pathway to veterinary school and allows you to start your degree for less. Go beyond biology and chemistry with a deeper, hands-on understanding of animals and agriculture through courses on animal science, physiology, nutrition, health and beef production. Our Pre-Veterinary Medicine program focuses on instructional strengths in agriculture science and hands-on learning experiences alongside experienced and knowledgeable instructors.
Ready to go further?
Consider continuing your education in our Bachelor of Agriculture Science post-diploma degree.
MCAT Preparation
Prepare to write the MCAT by building a strong foundation in science with our Pre-Veterinary Medicine program.
10
Our program meets all 10 pre-requisites for the University of Calgary's Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.
Career Opportunities
Once you've completed the Pre-Veterinary Medicine program, you'll be ready to head into:
- writing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- laboratory assistant
- animal research technician
- animal nutrition industry sales and consultants
- agriculture and livestock industry assistant
- livestock/farm technician
- pet product assistant
Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Pre-Veterinary Medicine Diploma are eligible to meet the 10 course requirements for application to the University of Calgary's Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Applicants must also meet all other admission requirements as listed by the University of Calgary. For more information on the application process, visit the UCVM website.
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
At-a-Glance
Starts-in
September
Credential / Accreditation
Diploma
Duration
2 years
International Eligibility
This program is not available for International Students.
Academic Centre
Program Availability
Admissions
Apply NowIn addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar,
applicants must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):
- Math 30-1 or 30-2 or equivalent
- Biology 30 or equivalent
- Chemistry 30 or equivalent
| Partner Institution | Partner Program | Incoming/Outgoing | Effective Dates and Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Calgary | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | Outgoing |
Ongoing
Doctor of Veterinary MedicineGraduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Pre-Veterinary Medicine Diploma are eligible to meet the 10 course requirements for application to the University of Calgary's Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Applicants must also meet all other admission requirements as listed by the University of Calgary. For more information on the application process, visit the UCVM website. |
| Lethbridge Polytechnic | Agriculture Science - Bachelor of (Post-Diploma) | Internal |
Ongoing
Agriculture Science - Bachelor of (Post-Diploma)Graduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Pre-Veterinary Medicine Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.0, are eligible to continue directly into the Bachelor of Agriculture Science Post-Diploma Degree program. Contact Admissions (admissions@lethpolytech.ca) for more information on how to pursue this option. |
Year One
Semester One
| Course | Title | Credits |
| BIO-1150 | Cellular Basis of Life | 3 |
| BIO-1175 | Animal Science | 3 |
| CHM-1150 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| ENG-1150 | Composition | 3 |
| STS-2250 | Statistics | 3 |
Semester Two
| Course | Title | Credits |
| BIO-1157 | Diversity of Life | 3 |
| BIO-1162 | Microbiology | 3 |
| CHM-2250 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| VEM-2251 | Animal Health | 3 |
| Approved Elective | Business Elective | 3 |
Year Two
Semester One
| Course | Title | Credits |
| BIO-2250 | Introductory Genetics | 3 |
| BIO-2263 | Animal Physiology I | 3 |
| CHM-2255 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| VEM-2254 | Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| Approved Elective | Social Science Elective | 3 |
Semester Two
| Course | Title | Credits |
| BIO-1172 | Ecology | 3 |
| BIO-2264 | Animal Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO-2275 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 |
| VEM-2250 | Beef Management | 3 |
| Approved Elective | Open Elective | 3 |
Business Electives
| Course | Title | Credits |
| BUS-1124 | Service-Based Small Business Management | 3 |
| BUS-1166 | Business Law | 3 |
| BUS-1170 | Introduction to Management | 3 |
| BUS-1177 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| BUS-2285 | Advanced Small Business Management | 3 |
| BUS-2288 | Project Management | 3 |
Social Science Electives
| Course | Title | Credits |
| ECN-1180 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECN-2253 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| HIS-2265 | Canadian History | 3 |
| HUM-1190 | Popular Culture | 3 |
| INS-1155 | Introduction to Indigenous Studies | 3 |
| SOC-2260 | Social Problems | 3 |
Open Electives
One of the business electives, social science electives, or the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
| HUM-1155 | Ethics | 3 |
| RRM-2258 | Principles of Wildlife Biology | 3 |
| PHY-1150 | Introduction to Physics I | 3 |
| Any other 2000-level post-secondary course | ||
Tuition costs are estimates for the 2025/2026 year.
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$7,793.00
|
$1,194.00
|
$1,100.00
|
| Year 2
|
$7,850.00
|
$1,779.00
|
$1,100.00
|
Notes
* Cost is subject to change.
Budget Wizard
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
On Campus
This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge Polytechnic campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.