Talk to the animals

JULIA PROCTOR
November 9, 2009

Course road test: Bachelor of animal and veterinary biosciences at La Trobe University

Does this degree qualify me to be a vet?

No. This three-year degree at La Trobe's Bundoora campus is a broad biology-based program for students who want to focus on animal issues. According to course co-ordinator Mark Sandeman, about a third of students entering this degree want to go on to be vets. In reality, he says, veterinary science is very competitive and only about 10 per cent will actually get into vet school, some moving after their first year, others changing later or even after honours.

Right. So what happens to the other 90 per cent of students who don't go on to be vets?

About half find work in the agriculture industry, working for government or in the private sector in areas including animal nutrition and artificial reproduction. Others go on to be veterinary nurses, while others still find work in zoos or areas of animal welfare. About 40 per cent of course graduates go on to study for honours. This, says Dr Sandeman, is pretty much essential for those wanting to work with wild animals.

So what's the degree about?

The first year, explains Dr Sandeman, is a mix of biological science, chemistry and physics. For those without year 11 or 12 chemistry, catch up classes are run for first-years. First-years also take a class called animal systems. From second year, there are considerably more animal-focused classes, with students taking courses including animal nutrition, animal psychology, animal health and animal ecology. In the third year, students can expect to undertake a number of projects that might see them providing real advice to the agricultural industry. They are also expected to do related work experience. Throughout the degree, says Dr Sandeman, there's plenty of lab work.

Ah, but do I get to cuddle cute animals?

According to Dr Sandeman, the course includes a "fair bit" of animal contact, particularly from the second year. Students work mainly with sheep and chickens, which are housed on the university's on-campus farm. The campus is also home to a wildlife reserve so students might get to see a wallaby or two bounce by and even get to undertake behavioural studies.

So who signs up for this degree?

About 95 per cent of those signing up are female, says Dr Sandeman. Mostly straight from school, they are often passionate about animals. "We try and bring them from the passion and emotion to a scientific approach," he says, adding that numbers enrolling on the course have been increasing for the past five years — with 130 students enrolling in 2009. School leavers needed an ENTER of 72.55 to secure a place last year.

What do students have to say?

Third-year student Emily Lake, 22, has dreams of working as a zookeeper. She describes the course as "good", noting it has a strong agricultural focus. She says students get to experience a huge range of sciences, from microbiology to zoology to physics, while farm facilities at La Trobe are top notch.

So where do I get more info?

www.latrobe.edu.au/agriculture/undergraduate/sbans.html


http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/talk-to-the-animals-20091106-i13h.html