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New Mexico State University

Pre-Veterinary

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.

Please also see Range Science Programs.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

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.

For more information, contact:
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.

Financial Assistance

A substantial number of scholarships are available for agricultural students. A list of these awards can be obtained by contacting the Office of Financial Aid.
NMSU Financial Aid The Department of Animal & Range Sciences also employes several individuals to work on the various livestock units and to assist with research projects. Student employment is not only beneficial from a financial standpoint, but it allows students to gain valuable experience.

Contacts

  • Pre-Vet Program
    Pre-Vet Advisor
    Dept. of Animal & Range Sciences
    New Mexico State University
    Las Cruces, NM 88003-0001
    Box 30001/MSC 3I
    (505)646-2514

  • Applications and Admissions
    Admissions Office
    New Mexico State University
    Box 30001/MSC 3A
    Las Cruces, NM 88003-0001
    (505)646-3121
    NMSU Undergraduate Admissions
    NMSU Graduate School Admissions

  • Scholarship and Financial Aid
    Office of Financial Aid
    New Mexico State University
    Box 30001/MSC 5100
    Las Cruces, NM 88003-0001
    (505)646-4105
    NMSU Financial Aid Web site