bio250c

FALL 2007
BIOLOGY 250C
Schedule #04384
GMCS-328 / Wed. 3:00 p.m.

TOPICS IN VETERINARY MEDICINE

Barbara Huntington, Director
email: bhunting@sunstroke.sdsu.edu
Preprofessional Health Advising Office GMCS-323

Class Coordinators

Course Description: This seminar course is designed to teach you about the SDSU preveterinary program and the process for admission to veterinary school. A variety of specialists and professionals from the veterinary field are invited to speak in this class to give you a realistic view of the profession.

Optional/Recommended Texts (wait to purchase until after the first day of class):

Huntington, Barbara and Masse, Linda, 2003. Writing About Me: A step by step guide to developing a powerful personal statement for your application to schools of medicine, dentistry, chiropractic, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, podiatry and veterinary medicine.

AAVMC. Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in theUnited States and Canada (Latest Edition). (VMSAR) Williams & Wilkins

Iserson, K.V. 2003. Get Into Medical School (Be sure to get the 2nd Edition )

Medley, A. Sweaty Palms. 1992. Ten Speed Press.

Objectives:

To give students a realistic idea of what is required for admission to veterinary medical school.
To provide students with a timeline for the preprofessional health undergraduate process.
To explain what opportunities exist for gathering experience in veterinary medicine from the Preprofessional Health Advising Office.
To provide role models and give information regarding the wide variety of veterinary specialties.
To provide experience in the veterinary medical school application process (VMCAS).

Course Evaluation: C/NC based on:

1) Attendance (based on weekly journal)

Since it is not polite to invite a speaker and then have no one show up because of studying for a final in another class, ONLY ONE UNEXCUSEDABSENCE IS ACCEPTED. It must be made up by submitting a one-page paper on the topic that was missed no later than one week after the absence. Excused absences (illness, death in family) must be submitted in writing to Barbara Huntington. Submission of your journal each week at the end of class substantiates your attendance.

2) Timely submission of assignments and speaker evaluationl.

Homework must be typed and is due at the beginning of each class and the weekly journal must be submitted before leaving class. In cases of excused absences, homework will be accepted up until the next class meeting. Please retain copies of all assignments.

Use this guideline for papers assigned in this class: Writing Guideline

Health care professionals are held to high ethical standards. Please be aware of the school's policy on academic dishonesty requiring professors to report all cases of academic dishonesty.

Course Evaluation: One unit course. Credit/No Credit

3. Course Work

Writing Assignments: These will be collected at the beginning of the period and require the following format:

4. Complete the speaker review sheet : Link

Please retain all copies of assignments.

Shelter Dogs Assignment: (View video at media center to answer questions due no later than December 8)

How has this video changed your perspective on animal shelters?
How has this video influenced your opinion on euthanasia?
Should all preveterinary students see this video? Why or why not?

Last name, first name
Bio 250C
Speaker's name
Date

Last Year's assignments:

Date Due:	Homework Assignments
September 5, 2007	Access the VMCAS application and print off the first page where you input your name. The application can be found at: http://www.aavmc.org. Send an email stating: 1) your major 2) the year you expect to enter veterinary medical school to Barbara Huntington . CC the email to our class coordinators: Lauren Neidig, and Alex Dial
September 12	Submit: A list of your first 5 choices of veterinary schools you would like to be accepted to. Make a check-off list of all of the prerequisite classes for each school. (Information can be found on school webpages and in the VMSAR.). At least 1 page (double spaced) answering the following question: As a client, name three characteristics you look for in a veterinarian. Explain your reasoning. You may want to give examples. (This will help you get started with the application process)
September 19	Write at least 1/2-1 page (double spaced) for each of the following questions: What pivotal experience(s) made you realize you wanted to be (or strengthened your desire to be) a veterinarian? How did you test your desire to be a veterinarian? (Special training? Research? Shadowing? Volunteering? Employment?) What are your views on integrity and good character, especially as applied to veterinary practice? (Veterinary schools aften ask ethical questions during interviews, so know your standards and be prepared with answers.)
September 26	Write at least 1/2 to 1 page (double spaced) for each of the following questions: As a veterinarian, what would you tell your client whose pet of ten years has to be euthanized? What special attributes/skills/experience/languages make you unique? (or complete the chart in Writing about Me, Chapter 2, Assessment Step #1.) Besides your parent(s), who do you admire and why? (If you admire a specific veterinarian, use this person to write about.) Name five adjectives that describe you and explain how they apply. (These will help you prepare to write your personal statement.)
October 03	Answer the following questions (from Jane Diehl Crawford, The Preveterinary Planning Guide--not required). What could help you, as a prevet, answer some of these and other ethical questions? (aprox 1/2 page each--no more than one page each) What about the use of animals in research? Does the pursuit of knowledge justify an animal's pain, suffering and death? Is active euthanasia justifiable? Is there any moral difference between active euthanasia and "letting nature take its course?" What is a veterinarian's responsibility for animals of those unwilling to pay? What are the veterinarian's responsibilities to the community?
October 10	Submit a draft of your Personal Statement (2-3 pages double-spaced). Consider the questions you have answered in previous assignments and include any instances when you showed leadership skills. While writing your personal statement consider what special attributes/skills/experiences/languages make you unique? (You may wish to follow suggestions in Writing About Me)
October 17	Begin filling out the VMCAS application. Turn in the first 6 pages (Sections 1-46)--Personal Information, Residency and Citizenship Information, Parental/Legal Guardian Information, Academic History and Current Status, Veterinary/Animal Experience, Other Background Information, Participating Veterinary Colleges, Test Score Release
October 24	Write at least 1/2-1 page (double spaced) for each of the following questions: In light of what you have learned so far, what aspects of veterinary medicine are most interesting to you? Where do you see yourself (in relationship to veterinary medicine) in 5 years? 10 years? (or complete the chart in Writing about Me, Chapter 2, Assessment Step #4.)
October 31	Submit the Academic Course Report Section of the VMCAS
November 07	Considering your interests and academic preparation, list three or more career options that would be open to you. (Not including veterinary medicine.) You may wish to check the PPHA office for related materials.
November 14	Turn in your revised personal statement.
November 21	In lieu of class, email the following assignments to the class coordinators. A list of veterinary school interview questions will be provided. Answer each question and email the answers to the coordinators
November 28	Submit the entire VMCAS application including a corrected draft of your personal statement.
December 5	Submit Shelter Dogs assignment. Corrected VMCAS and personal statement to be returned. Be prepared to answer interview questions.
December 12 (4 pm)	Students are required to go to final exam times. Come by to pick up your VMCAS application and complete an evaluation of the speakers.

Speakers

	Biology 250C TOPICS IN VETERINARY MEDICINE Schedule of Speakers
Date	Speaker
August 29	Introduction--Bring pictures of your animals--Get to know fellow prevets
Sept. 5	Mike Harrod, DVM --San Diego County Animal Disease Diagnotic Laboratory
Sept. 12	Todd Cecil, DVM-- Avian & Exotics
Sept. 19	Keith Hilinski, DVM--SDSU Alum--Small animal medicine
Sept. 26	Holly Mullen, DVM, AVCS---Veterinary Surgery
Oct.3	Craig Chandler, DVM--Large Animal Medicine--East County Large Animal Practice
Oct. 10	Greg Ogilvie, DVM--Veterinary Oncology
Oct. 17	Personal statement workshop. Bring your personal statement and plan to read it out loud.
Oct. 24	Patrick Melese, DVM,MA--Veterinary Behavior Specialist. (Article from Veterinary Medicine News about Dr. Melese)
October 31	David Johnson, RVT, Medical Operations Manager, County of San Diego Department of Animal Services
Nov. 7	Yasmin Williams, Director of Admissions, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Nov. 14	Don Moore, D.C.--Human and Equine chiropractic
Nov. 21	Class assignment in lieu of class meeting
Nov. 28	Jeff Andrews--Animal Care Manager, San Diego Wild Animal Park--Elephant behavior research
Dec. 5	Sgt. Roosevelt Buckner, US Army
Dec.12	Check in at final exam and pick up portfolio (4 pm)