2.  MSU is one of the best schools in the world for Agriculture studies and Veterinary Medicine.  Today, the college includes four biomedical science departments  Microbiology and molecular genetics  Pathobiology and diagnostic investigation  Pharmacology and toxicology  Physiology  Two clinical departments  Large-animal clinical sciences  Small-animal clinical sciences  Two service units  The Veterinary Teaching Hospital  Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health  And several research centers.

3.  Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Large Animal Clinical Sciences  The student must complete 30 credits under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). Students majoring in large animal clinical sciences may elect to support the major field with courses in two or three additional areas. The total amount of credits is about 80 credit hours.  Supporting and minor courses may be in…  Anatomy  Pathology  Physiology  Pharmacology  Bacteriology  Virology  Immunology  Mycology  Parasitology  Nutrition  Animal science  Statistics  Chemistry  Genetics  Or education.  GPA  MSU is a competitive school. You have to have a GPA of at least a 3.00 to get into veterinary medicine. Sometimes, a 2.75 is acceptable.

4.  High school students planning to attend MSU as an undergraduate freshman student should complete the college preparatory curriculum that includes, but is not limited to,  2 years algebra  ½ year in trigonometry  1 year geometry  1 year chemistry  1 year biology  1 year physics  Prospective MSU students are also encouraged to enroll in high school honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and dual enrollment courses.

5.  All veterinarians need to go to college, which usually takes 4 years. They study biology, chemistry, physics, nutrition, and animal science. They also need to take math and English classes. Many people also get experience by working at animal hospitals or shelters.  The next step is to go to veterinary college for 4 more years. Getting into vet college is competitive. Students who get in usually have very good grades. After college, vets take a test and get a license.  Many people also decide to learn more about a specific kind of illness or animal. They work with experienced vets during a 2-year internship. For example, they might focus on surgery, dentistry, or wild animals.  After finishing school, nearly all vets keep taking classes about new diseases and treatments.  All in all, it takes about 10-14 years depending on how you use your time!

6.  To become a legal veterinarian, you must take and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam, a national board examination that is eight hours long and consists of 360 multiple-choice questions relevant to all the parts of veterinary medicine.

7.  Large animal veterinarians usually work for people who own small animal vet clinics, and they don’t work in the building.  You drive to the farm or home of the patient and do your work there since the animal is too big to move and take into town. MOO!

8.  Small animals, exclusively- $64,744  Large animals, exclusively- $62,424  Small animals, predominantly- $61,753  Mixed animals- $58,522  Large animals, predominantly- $57,745  Equine (horses)- $41,636  The annual average pay in 2010 was about $150,000, depending on the experience.

9.  Good with animals  Not grossed out easily  Patient  Blood  Friendly

10.  Working on the farm  My family owns a large dairy farm  Helping injured animals around the house or on the side of the road  Knowing what you’re going to do if what you wanted to have happen didn’t happen

11.  Large animal vets are rare  Love animals  Love being out doors  Favorite animal is the Dairy Cow!

13.  Save lives  Be outdoors  Hang out on the farm  Earn a high salary  Help people

14.  Blood  Losing patient  Schooling  Pet owners  Help deliver babies

15.  In the future, after I complete my PhD in large animal veterinary medicine, I want to…  Own my own farm with horses and dairy cattle  Start my own veterinary clinic in Dansville or Mason, that includes Large Animal Vets like myself.