so you want to be a vet! bachelor of veterinary science
TRANSCRIPT
So you want to be a vet!Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Overview
Life as a veterinarian Who can work as a veterinarian? Why become a veterinarian? What makes a good veterinarian? Areas of veterinarian work Where veterinarians work
Overview (cont)
Becoming a veterinarian Can I become a veterinarian? School subjects needed Eligibility criteria for Vet School Selection criteria for Vet School
Overview (cont)
Becoming a veterinarian (cont) About the BVSc degree Veterinary degree cost Life after graduation Related study options at Massey Find out more
Who can work as a veterinarian?
By law, must be registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand
Must have a degree in veterinary science recognised by the Veterinary Council
Veterinarians can also become registered specialists with more study
Why become a veterinarian?
It’s an awesome lifestyle Worthwhile contribution to society Highly respected and trusted profession High earning potential Broad range of work Travel opportunities
What makes a good veterinarian?
Outstanding interpersonal skills Good analytical skills Common sense Experience with handling animals Realistic job expectations
Areas of veterinarian work
Clinical practice Treating sick or injured animals
Diagnosis of cause of disease Surgery Anaesthesia X-rays
Disease prevention Vaccination Design health programmes for
farm animals
Areas of veterinarian work (cont)
Clinical practice (cont) Different types of clinical practice
Dogs and cats Horses Farm animals
cattle sheep deer pigs poultry other, eg. alpacas, ostriches
Zoo animals
Areas of veterinarian work (cont)
Other Food safety
overseeing production of food from animals, eg. meat Biosecurity
making sure exotic animal diseases don’t getinto New Zealand
Laboratories finding causes of diseases in animals
Animal health companies developing and marketing veterinary
medicines
Where veterinarians work
Veterinary clinic companion animals (dogs and cats)
Farm visits horses dairy cattle sheep beef cattle deer pigs poultry
Where veterinarians work (cont)
Zoo or SPCA Specialist hospital or referral centre Government
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) New Zealand Food Safety Authority Biosecurity New Zealand Government veterinarians can be
based in office, food processing plant, port, other or combination
Animal health industry Laboratory
Can I become a veterinarian?
Definitely! So long as you...
have common sense and lots of determination
are relatively smart
have a great work ethic
like people as well as animals
can communicate well
School subjects needed
Chemistry Physics Biology (minimum of 14 credits across the 3 sciences) Mathematics (Calculus or Statistics) English (minimum NCEA Level 2 or English-rich subject)
Eligibility criteria for Vet School
University Entrance or equivalent (info for 2011 University Entrance at http://vet-school.massey.ac.nz)
Sit an ‘IQ type’ test called the Standard Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT type F)(more info www.acer.edu.au/stat)
Passed all four pre-selection papers of BVSc 1 Semester 1 (or equivalent from a NZ University)
Complete at least 10 days veterinary work experience
Selection criteria for Vet School
School Leavers Must be eligible for selection Weighted grade point average counts for
80% Recommendation of approximately an A-
average to have a chance of being near the cutoff for selection.
STAT F test counts for 20%
Selection criteria for Vet School (cont)
Graduates or part-graduates Must be eligible for selection No limit on number of times you can apply
for selection Two-year rule (grades obtained over last
four full-time semesters of study count towards GPA)
Three-year rule (if an applicant has had a break from university study for 3 years, then only grades obtained since re-starting full-time study are used in the GPA calculation)
STAT F test - can be carry forward result or re-sit. If re-sit, then the new score is used; not the highest score
About the BVSc degree
Massey is the only NZ University offering the bachelor of veterinary science degree
Limited number of places and competitive Five-year duration
Selection at end of first semester (pre-selection papers can be completed at campus in Albany or Palmerston North)
Professional Phase of course in Palmerston North
Extended final year of 40 weeks duration
About the BVSc degree (cont)
Pre-selection (semester one) – 4 compulsory subjects Chemistry and living systems Physics for life sciences Biology of cells Biology of animals
About the BVSc degree (cont)
Post-selection Normal structure, function and management (Anatomy and Physiology) Abnormal structure and function (Pathology) Causes of abnormality
Microbiology Parasitology Toxicology
Return to normal Medicine Surgery Pharmacology
About the BVSc degree (cont)
Post-selection Preventive medicine and enhancement of performance Personal wellbeing and self-care Veterinary professional studies
Law Business Ethics Management
About the BVSc degree (cont)
Post-selection Must pass all papers each year to move to the next year Course includes lectures, seminars, practical classes and working in the
Veterinary Teaching Hospital Practical work
14 weeks of practical farm work 6 weeks of practical veterinary work
Veterinary degree cost
University fees are approximately $9,054 for each year of BVSc degree (2010 figures)
There are other associated course costs
Practical work must be done which limits earning potential during holidays
Scholarships are available
Life after graduation
Can sit registration exams in United States and Japan Graduates are automatically registerable in
New Zealand Australia United Kingdom South Africa Papua New Guinea
Life after graduation (cont)
Job prospects are good Worldwide shortage of veterinarians Baby boomer generation retirement
Starting salary package – approx $55,000 Great future earning potential (six figures +)
Related study options at Massey
Bachelor of AgriScience Equine Studies
Agriculture
Bachelor of Science Animal Science
Zoology
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
Related study options at Massey (cont)
Bachelor of Food Technology (Hons)
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)
Bachelor of Veterinary Technology
Diploma of Veterinary Nursing
Find out more
Veterinary school website http://vet-school.massey.ac.nz
Veterinary Teaching hospital http://vethospital.massey.ac.nz
Massey University website http://www.massey.ac.nz
Email [email protected]