Veterinary Degrees Online

Since there are many applicants for a limited number of openings at the professional schools in the health and allied health fields, students are urged to get a strong foundation in the basic sciences in their first two years and work toward a high G.P.A.

A broad background in humanities and social sciences will help students in communicating and relating with people. Students wanting to enter schools of medicine, veterinary science and dentistry need to complete a baccalaureate degree, with a major in biology, chemistry or other appropriate discipline. Students should make choices that meet the requirements of the 2+2 Benedictine University program or the program of study they plan to pursue at the senior college level.

Prerequisites
High school studies should include:
3 years of math, including second year algebra, geometry and trigonometry;
3 years of science, including one each in biology, chemistry and physics;
Other science courses (highly recommended);and
2 years of foreign language (highly recommended)

Zoology came into being after the bifurcation of the Department of Zoology and Entomology in 1972. The Fisheries section of the Department was separated as an independent Department of Fisheries in 1994, which was merged again in 2002 and the Department was renamed as the Department of Zoology and Fisheries. The Department then existed at three centres – in the ground floor of the Biological wing. Small Animal Colony, and Fisheries Research Complex with modern facilities to work in the areas of Fisheries, vertebrate Pest Management, Reproductive Biology, Parasitology and Immunodiagnostics. With the creation of the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in 2006, the Fisheries section and Small Animal Colony have been shifted to that University and the Department has been renamed as the Department of Zoology. At present, the Department exists at the ground floor of the Biological Wing and the second floor of the main building of theCollege of Basic Sciences & Humanities. The Resident Instruction Programme in Zoology comprises undergraduate instruction for the students of College of Agriculture and College of Home Science and post-graduation instruction leading to M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Zoology.

The postgraduate students are trained in Agricultural Ornithology, Rodent Control, Fisheries, Functional Faunal Biodiversity, Reproductive Biology, Parasitology and Immunodiagnostics. At present, the emphasis is on development, commercialization and transfer of technologies for (i) effective, efficient and eco-friendly methods of vertebrate and (non-arthropod) invertebrate pest management, (ii) functional (nutritional , pharmaceutical, and bioindicative) aspects of faunal biodiversity in inland aquatic ecosystems, (iii) Fisheries (iv) Vermicomposting, (v) Reproductive Biology (fertility regulation and use of biomarkers), and (vi) Immunodiagnostics.

The faculty of the Department is actively involved in running several research projects sponsored by different funding agencies like ICAR, UGC, SRTT and Punjab State Govt. besides extending transfer of technology services. The Department is also running Zoological Society, which is a corporate member of the International Society of Zoological Sciences, China.

Wildlife science is the application of ecological knowledge in a manner that strikes a balance between the needs of wildlife populations and the needs of people. Research and teaching in wildlife science began at ESF in 1914, one of the first such programs in the U.S., and was quickly followed by establishment of the Roosevelt Wild Life Station in 1919. Today, our program is recognized nationally and internationally, and our graduates are employed worldwide. The focus is applied ecology, and students engage the environmental challenges associated with managing wildlife, ranging from endangered species to overabundant populations. The program recognizes and accommodates the fact that wildlife scientists increasingly must deal with on all forms of wildlife, including plants and invertebrates, and the scope is becoming more international.

Students obtain background in the basic sciences (math, chemistry, physics), then learn the basic ecological principles and evolutionary forces that affect wildlife and their associated habitats. Course work then addresses the assessment and management of wildlife resources as well as the biology and natural history of various taxonomic groups. Students are advised to enhance career opportunities via taxonomic proficiency with one or more plant or animal groups, special skills such as GIS, and practical working experience as an intern, volunteer, or paid employee of a conservation agency.

The program prepares students for careers with state and federal agencies as well as an array of domestic and international non-governmental organizations. Diverse job functions include management of wildlife on state, federal or private lands; inventory and assessment of wildlife populations and associated habitats; and interaction with the public to convey the value and rationale of wildlife conservation programs and initiatives. Students who excel academically will also be prepared to continue toward a graduate degree, which can greatly expand employment opportunities and is often necessary for even entry-level, career-track positions.

Undergraduates in wildlife science take advantage of ESF’s field stations, which are unmatched nationally and provide myriad opportunities. These properties include the 15,000-acre Adirondack Ecological Center and the Cranberry Lake Biological Station in the Adirondacks, as well as the Heiberg Forest south of Syracuse. Many of the courses taken by wildlife science undergraduates include field exercises at these facilities, and the properties are also used for undergraduate research and other projects in which undergraduate students can become involved

Since there are many applicants for a limited number of openings at the professional schools in the health and allied health fields, students are urged to get a strong foundation in the basic sciences in their first two years and work toward a high G.P.A.

A broad background in humanities and social sciences will help students in communicating and relating with people. Students wanting to enter schools of medicine, veterinary science and dentistry need to complete a baccalaureate degree, with a major in biology, chemistry or other appropriate discipline. Students should make choices that meet the requirements of the 2+2 Benedictine University program or the program of study they plan to pursue at the senior college level.

Prerequisites
High school studies should include:
3 years of math, including second year algebra, geometry and trigonometry;
3 years of science, including one each in biology, chemistry and physics;
Other science courses (highly recommended);and
2 years of foreign language (highly recommended)

Requirements
All students must General Education core degree requirements (link to page 2 of general education core requirements), and they must complete the following courses specific to the concentration. Courses required for the concentration may also satisfy General Education requirements.
BIO 106 – Cellular Biology;
BIO 107 – Biological Organisms and Ecology;
CHE 111, CHE 112 – General Chemistry I and II;
CHE 223, CHE 224 – Organic Chemistry I and II;
MAT 114 – College Algebra, if needed;
MAT 115 – Trigonometry, if needed;
MAT 122, MAT 125 or MAT 223, – Calculus or Statistics; and
PHY 211, PHY 212 – General Physics I and II

Recommended Additional Courses
Other science courses to consider are BIO 108, BIO 109 – Anatomy and Physiology I and II and BIO 215 – Microbiology.

PRE-VETERINARY CONCENTRATION
Two Year Plan Course Plan

First Year
First Semester
ENG 111 – Comp. & Rhetoric [3]
BIO106 – Cellular Biology [4]
CHE 111 – Gen. Chemistry I [4]
Humanities Elective [3]
MAT 114 – College Algebra [3] OR MAT 223 – Calculus I [5]
Total Hours 17-19

Second Semester
ENG 112 – Comp. & Research [3]
BIO 107 – Biological Organisms & Ecology [4]
CHE 112 – Gen. Chemistry II [4 ]
Social Behavior Elective [3]
MAT 115 – Trigonometry [3] OR MAT 224 – Calculus II [4]
Total Hours 17-18

Second Year
First Semester
CHE 223- Organic Chemistry I [4]
Social Behavior Elective [3]
PHY 211 – General Physics I [4]
Fine Arts elective [3]
Elective [3]
Total Hours 17

Second Semester
CHE 224- Organic Chemistry II [4]
SPH 110 – Fund. of Speech [3]
PHY 212 – General Physics II [4]
Humanities or Fine Arts elective [3]
Social Behavior Elective [3]
Total Hours 17

Recommended Social/Behavioral Science courses
PSC 210: American Government, PSC 210: General Psychology, PSY 215: Growth & Development, SOC 210: Introductory Sociology

Recommended Humanities/Fine Arts
PHI 213: General Ethics, PHI 201: Introduction to Philosophy, REL 230: Contemporary Moral Problems, HUM 183 & 184: Exploration of Human Values I & II.

The Pre-Veterinary medicine is one of four “pre-professional” programs available at NMSU. It provides the background training required for enrollment at schools of veterinary medicine.

Acceptance rates of NMSU students have been excellent in recent years and many have graduated at the top of their veterinary medicine school class.

All Pre-Vet majors receive training in the biological sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics and liberal arts. A B.S. degree in Animal Science (Science Option) fulfills the prerequisites for admission into veterinary schools. Supporting courses in many areas allow the student to develop a program of study which satisfy both requirements and individual interests.
A considerable number of students enter NMSU with an interest in the field of veterinary medicine. Most of these individuals are advised by animal science faculty and take considerable course work in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. The Pre-Vet program is very strong at NMSU and the rate of acceptance of NMSU students to Colleges of Veterinary Medicine has been quite high in recent years.

Pre-Vet Advisor, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, NMSU.
Programs of Study in Animal Science

Undergraduate programs in the Department of Animal & Range Sciences are designed to offer a wide array of courses aimed at providing experience, both technical and practical, in the many facets of animal production, management, and marketing. The curriculum is career oriented and seeks to train individuals for meaningful employment in the types of positions mentioned previously.

Support courses are offered to provide specific knowledge in basic sciences and humanities. Animal science courses then relate this basic experience to the field of animal production. Business and management offerings allow the student to make more effective decisions associated with the livestock industry.

The major areas of study and courses offered or required are outlined below or go the NMSU Undergraduate Catalog.
Advising & Learning Environment

Pre-Veterinary students are advised by faculty in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences.

On-campus facilities include four animal units; beef cattle, horses, swine and sheep. Fully equipped laboratories in Knox Hall and Neale Hall offer experience in physiology, endocrinology, nutrition, genetics, meats, wool, and micro-computer applications.

In addition, the department operates a ranch consisting of 64,000 acres just north of Las Cruces and a 28,000 acre ranch near Corona, New Mexico. Feedlot experiments are conducted at the Clayton Livestock Research Center, Clayton, New Mexico and on the NMSU campus.
Student Organizations

Students are encouraged to participate in various student organizations at the departmental, college and university level.
Pre-Vet Club – hosts numerous activities and field trips.
Equitation Club – supports the Equestrian Teams (Western and English) Recent IHSA Regional Champions – 2006.
Block and Bridle Club – meet new friends, participate in academic and community projects.
Rodeo Club – NMSU as a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association sponsors both male and female teams. The Club produces 2 rodeos yearly.
Range Club – range management activities, Range Plant Identification team and URME team which compete in national contests.

Judging teams (compete in several contests each year):
Livestock
Horse
Range Plant
Wool

Membership in one or several of these groups is encouraged since it provides students with a unique opportunity to implement and integrate many experiences learned in the classroom.
Curriculum

Pre-Veterinary Requirements:
Biology (4 credits)
Chemistry (15-18 credits)
Math (3 credits)
English (4 credits)
Speech (3 credits)
Physics (4-8 credits)
Statistics (3 credits)
Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences (12 credits)

General Education Electives
See Undergraduate Catalog for undergratute reqirements
Campus wide events

Special events programs sponsored by NMSU include numerous well-known entertainers and sports activities (football, basketball, volleyball, golf, baseball, track, tennis, swimming and rodeo). Opportunities to participate in intramural athletics are also available.