Bachelor Degree in
Veterinary Science Program (Pre-Vet)

The University of Nevada, Reno offers a pre-professional program in Veterinary Medicine (Science) through the Department of Animal Biotechnology and the School of Veterinary Medicine.

The pre-veterinary program is outstanding based on the number of students accepted into veterinarian schools and the success of these students in the professional schools. The pre-veterinary curriculum satisfies the entrance requirements of most schools offering a DVM program in the United States. Students may also enroll in the Animal Science Degree program. Requirements for the two programs are very similar allowing a student to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science while completing the pre-veterinary requirements.

During the last year of the pre-professional program, Nevada residents may apply through a resident contract program to Colorado State University (CSU), Washington State University (WSU) and Oregon State University (OSU). UC Davis (UCD) accepts a limited number of students from the “WICHE” pool. The contract program for state residents is administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Currently there is funding for four (4) Nevada residents entering WICHE contract schools of veterinary medicine each year. The State of Nevada has contracts with these schools to pay for 75% of the non-resident tuition fee. The student is responsible for 25% of the non-resident tuition and an in-state tuition fee. A student must be a one year resident of Nevada by October 15 of the year in which he or she applies in order to receive support from the State. Students participating in this contract program must return to Nevada after graduation from the professional school for four (4) years (one year for each year of support). Students are not limited to apply to only the WICHE contract schools. Many are accepted into other professional schools throughout the United States.

Acceptance into a school of veterinary medicine is based on the following criteria:

• Grade point average (GPA)
• Score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT)
• Letters of recommendation
• Community activity and leadership roles
• Personal interview (occasionally)
• Work experience (especially with a veterinarian). Students are encouraged to obtain a minimum of 500 hours of practical experience working with a veterinarian prior to application.

Each veterinary school has its own unique pre-veterinary requirements. It is the student's responsibility to contact each school of interest for the latest pre-veterinary requirements.

• ranching, farming, or medical industry, or
• making a difference in your community, or
• working outdoors & indoors, with animals & with computers, in Nevada &
• around the world, all in the same job,
   
  Then Pre-Veterinary Medicine may be the right major for you.

Upon completion of undergraduate and veterinary school, there are numerous opportunities for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). New graduates can choose to work in a private clinical practice, education, research, regulatory medicine, public health, private industry, or continue on to a specialty field such as: Equine, Feline, Food Animal, Toxicology, Pharmacology, Dermatology, Surgery, Pathology or Radiology just to name a few.

What kind of salary do veterinarians grads earn?
      In 2006, the median annual income nationwide for vet was $71,990 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). The average annual salary for veterinarians in the Federal Government was $84,335 in 2007.

How do I prepare?
      High school students interested in pre-veterinary medicine should take at least one year each of biology, chemistry and physics. Math should include algebra, geometry and trigonometry (introductory calculus is also useful). It is strongly recommended to remain in math and science courses all four years of high school. Courses that emphasize oral and written communication skills as well as basic computer knowledge are also recommended.

What Will I Study?
      Students enrolled in the pre-veterinary medicine curricula receive a specific background in the biological and natural sciences in order to prepare them for professional veterinary school. Coursework will include the following areas: Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics, Anatomy and Physiology, Physics, Microbiology and Animal Nutrition. Additional coursework in Social Science, English, Fine Arts and Speech Communication will round out the program.

Where will I finish the professional portion of my education?
      Our students have gone onto: Auburn University, University of California-Davis, Colorado State University, Oregon State University, Washington State University, University of Florida, Purdue University, University of Georgia, Iowa State University, Ohio State University, Kansas State University, Louisiana State University, Tufts University, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State University, University of Missouri-Columbia, Cornell University, North Carolina University, Oklahoma State University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Dale Holecombe, Professor, Faculty Advisor
Phone: (775) 784-1314
e-mail: holcombe@unr.nevada.edu
Office: 232 Max Fleischmann Ag Bldg, UNR Campus

 

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