Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Why Become a Veterinarian? Well… to work with ANIMALS of course!!
Most of us want to be vets so we can fix sick animals…. Which is a really good reason for wanting to be a vet!
Great… and do you like working with people too? • You need to like working with people…. • It’s animals’ owners who bring their pets or livestock to you…!
There are some other good reasons to be a vet…. • It is an awesome lifestyle • A highly respected profession • Makes a worthwhile contribution to society • Good standard of living • Broad range of work… there are • a lot of jobs you can do with a vet degree
And there are good job prospects…. • There is a high demand for veterinarians in NZ and worldwide • Jobs are available in production and companion animal sectors • Significant shortage of farm animal vets • Job prospects are good • Worldwide shortage of veterinarians • Baby boomer generation retirement • Starting salary packages are ~ $55,000
And it is a great passport for travel… You’ll be able to work in…. • New Zealand • Australia • United Kingdom • South Africa • Papua New Guinea Can sit registration exams in United States, Canada, Japan etc
But you also need to have realistic expectations of the job • Sometimes it’s dirty • Sometimes there are grieving owners… or angry owners • Sometimes you’re on call late at night • Sometimes you find it hard to cope with situations yourself…. • Sometimes you have your own ‘bad hair’ days….
What will my career be like? Nearly everyone starts off in clinical practice • Treating sick or injured animals • Diagnosis of cause of disease • Surgery, Anaesthesia, Imaging • Sick cows, sick dogs, sick horses • Disease prevention • Healthy animals • Keeping your dog well • Keeping your cows healthy and producing well But there are lots of things that vets can and do work in outside clinical practice…
So…. what makes a good veterinarian? • Enjoy working with people • Good at communicating with people • Experience with handling animals • Good at communicating with animals • Common sense • Ability to analyse information and reach conclusion
Sooooo…. can I become a veterinarian? Answer - Definitely! Provided - You! • You are relatively smart • You have some common sense • You have lots of determination • You like people as well as animals • You can communicate well
Veterinary Science Programme • Massey is the only NZ University offering a veterinary degree • Limited number of places, competitive entry to the programme • Five-year programme • One semester before selection • 4½ years after selection
What is the course like? Starts off with • Normal structure, function: • Anatomy and Physiology • Normal animal management and farming practices
What is the course like? Then goes on to look at causes of abnormal structure and function • Pathology • Microbiology • Parasitology • Toxicology
What is the course like? Then: ‘Return to normal’ Medicine Surgery Pharmacology
What is the course like? Also: Preventive medicine and enhancement of performance Personal wellbeing and self-care Veterinary professional studies Law, Business, Ethics, Management
What else? • Farm practical work • 14 weeks of practical farm work (by mid year Year 3) • Vet practical work • 6 weeks of practical veterinary work (between mid Year 3 and Year 4) • Extended clinical final year • 40 week final year in clinics, veterinary practices and doing elective subjects
How do I get in? NZ or Australian International Citizen or PR School leaver / no Not met pre- Met pre- previous Other study requisites in Biol, requisites university study Chem, Physics Grade average Grade average and Grade average and STAT F test score and STAT F test GRE test score score 24 places 80 places
What about my school subjects? Biology, Chemistry and Physics!! We recommend that you should have studied NCEA Level 3 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and passed 14-20 credits in each subject. Also one mathematics subject (either Calculus or Statistics). English… must have minimum of NCEA Level 2 to meet University Entrance requirements
How do I become eligible for selection? You must pass all four pre-selection papers of BVSc 1 • Semester 1 or equivalent from another NZ University; AND have a minimum GPA over a B Grade Sit a STAT F Test (June) • Standard Tertiary Admissions Test (type F): an ‘IQ type’ test see www.acer.edu.au/stat Completed at least 10 days (minimum of 80 hours) • veterinary work experience – you should have done this before you came to Massey. You need to have a letter stating your name and the • dates/hours you were in practice. Signed by the veterinarian or practice manager.
What grades will I have to get? • Grade point average counts for 80% • STAT F test counts for 20% • Together these make up your “selection score” • Ranked on the basis of “selection score” • Need a grade average of about A- and a better- than-average STAT score
What happens if…. I don’t get in….? • You are never locked out… there is no limit on number of times you can apply for selection Have a Plan B… do a degree in Science… make sure it’s • something that you enjoy. You must take a minimum of 60 credits per semester for grades to be included in GPA calculation for future selections. • Older grades (eventually) expire, so you can reapply with better grades – use up to last four semesters of full-time study in calculation of GPA. If have a three year gap from university study in science • subjects, then you will be considered a “New Start” student in regards to the GPA calculation. • Papers from Semester 1 can credit towards almost all Massey degrees in animal, agriculture or biological sciences
So, think about…. • Bachelor of AgriScience • Equine Studies • Agriculture • Bachelor of Science • Animal Science • Zoology Bachelor of Veterinary Technology (must apply by 1 May – late applications may not be accepted) • Bachelor of Food Technology (Hons) (min. B- average plus 16 credits in Calculus at NCEA Level 3) • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (min. B- average plus 16 credits in Calculus at NCEA Level 3) •
What does it all cost? University fees are approximately $10,415 for Year • 2-4 and $11,495 for Year 5 (NZPR 2013 figures) There are other associated course costs • Practical work must be done which limits earning • potential during holidays Scholarships are available – post selection and • majority at Year 4
Important Dates in 2013 20 th -22 nd February “Orientation Programme” first year students – introduction to university 25 th February Semester 1 commences – lectures and labs start Week One 1 st May Applications for 2013 Veterinary Science/Techology Selection closes online 20 th June STAT F Test – 2.15pm in Wool Building (allow minimum 3hrs) 5 th July Selection Committee meets. Emails sent out late in afternoon 15 th July 2012 Semester 2 commences 17 th -19 th July 2012 “Vet Start” Programme
Bachelor of Veterinary Technology
Veterinary Technology Programme • Massey is the only NZ University offering the Veterinary Technology degree (first offered in 2009) Three-year full-time programme • • Selection at end of first semester (pre- selection papers can be completed at campus in Albany or Manawatu) • Professional Phase of course in Palmerston North (2.5 years) • Limited number of places (36)
Career Opportunities Specialty practice technologists (e.g dermatology, surgery, internal • medicine, critical case care, etc.) Herd health technologists on food animal, • poultry, or equine farms Health technologists in zoos, animal • control or humane societies Instructors in veterinary nursing / • technology programs and veterinary school hospitals Food or livestock inspectors for government agencies •
Career Opportunities Zoo veterinary hospital or wildlife rehabilitation technologists • Marketing and/or teaching roles in veterinary organizations and • practices Biomedical research technologists and laboratory animal • managers Pharmaceutical sales and marketing representatives • Animal behaviour advisors to clients about problem pets • Clinic staff supervisors or hospital managers •
What else must I do? • Complete at least 10 days (minimum of 80 hours) veterinary work experience – do this before you come to Massey Veterinary Practical Work Evaluation forms are required for vet technology applications. Work must have been completed in a maximum of two veterinary practices; and 40 hours must be completed over 5 consecutive days. Forms are available on Study at Massey pages on website for the Vet Technology programme in Planning tab
What about my school subjects? Biology and Chemistry, Maths and English We recommend that you should have studied NCEA Level 3 in Biology and Chemistry and passed a minimum of 14credits in each subject. Also one mathematics subject (either Calculus or Statistics). English… must have minimum of NCEA Level 2 to meet University Entrance requirements
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