Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

G'day everyone.

Since standard 4, I wanted to be a vet. I didnt manage to enter UPM with
my SPM results so I took up Alevels ..my question is can I enter UPM with
Alevels qualification?...

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Yes you can. Keep on applying, don't give up. Then appeal. If you cant enter direct into the vet course, take some other course in UPM and apply for an internal transfer after 1 or 2 semesters.

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Dam those counselors....they told me I'll never
get into UPM with Alevels qualification..

Thx for the information, Dr Nat. Really appreciate it..
Thank you very much!!

Choy · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 27 Location: Athens, Georgia

I have good news and bad news for you. The bad news is most probably the UPU will NOT accept your A-levels as a qualifying paper to enter the DVM programme.

The good news is, even if you do not get the program the first time, do not despair. Like Dr. Natasha mentioned, go and appeal. With fairly good results, the faculty will most probably accept you. If you want to be sincere, go meet the Academic Deputy Dean (Prof. Dr.Saleha) personally and talk things out.

And finally if things go really bad for you, i guess the last option would be to do some other course and perform really well and switch to a veterinary course

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

I wonder why UPU doesn't accept A-Levels? Have they recently changed their rules?? UPM does accept A-Levels, although not many people know it (including some misinformed staff). I'm not sure if they have changed any rules recently, but I don't think they should sideline those taking A-Levels or other recognised pre-U qualifications. You should read those fine print properly, usually they will say STPM or its equivalent. I'd say A-Levels is equal to it and its internationally recognised.

Actually... I AM the living proof that you can enter UPM's vet degree with A-Levels. And guess what? I got in by applying through the UPU too! :) Only thing, I have to apply under "kes khas" (feel I'm cacat or something) which has a very very very early deadline.

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

If you guys dont mind, I got few more doubts to clear...
How many As should I obtain in Alevels to get in UPM?
Is there any other way to be a vet if I didnt manage to enter
UPM?
I'm quite weak in chemistry so I plan to drop physic(I have no problems
with biology and physic) after my first exam so that I can concentrate more
with chemistry. Any thoughts guys? You dont need physic to be a vet or a lawyer right?
My vet told me being a vet means alot of sacrifices need to be done which includes high salary. How much(range) can a vet earn?

Have you guys thought about having a documentary show on animals in Malaysia?

Zookeeper, Animal and Wildlife Educator, Wildlife Rehabilitator, Zoo Curator, Veterinarian and Animal Behaviorist...can you guys tell me what the difference between these professions? Hope you guys dont mind I ask alot of things...
:wink:

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Let me try to answer some of your queries.

How many As? As many as you can. If you read up the requirements to enter the vet course, they'll focus more on your chemistry and bio (if I'm not mistaken, its been long time). Some vet courses overseas will need an A in chemistry and maths or physics. Again, not too sure, its been long time since I last checked. As for UPM/UPU, I believe they will also pay a lot of attention to your extra curricular activities too. Nobody can say for sure that you will enter UPM with a minimum amount of As, as it changes each year. But do aim for as high as you can go... to infinity and beyond - as Buzz Lightyear would say.

Being a vet does have a lot of sacrifices. Firstly, you'll need to study for 5 years, compared to the usual 3 years for other degree. Then you'll be studying like mad and having little time off during studies. And when you come out to work, it really depends which field you go into. If you're going into practice, usually you work long hours, and possibly on weekends too. Salary wise, it is not much for the amount of time and effort you put into your work. If you aim to be rich, please consider some other career. As for vet's salary, I'd rather not say (sensitive issue!). Personally, I earn so little, I'm rather ashamed to say it here. But most fresh graduate will earn less than your friends of the same age with other degrees.

Documentary?? HAhahahaha... most vets have no time. And most of us are also artistically challenged to produce a documentary. ;)

Difference between profession:
Vet - like a doctor, only for animals.
Zookeeper - like mothers, take care of the animals in terms of food, shelter, hygiene. A zookeeper is usually incharge of one enclosure or an area in the zoo
Wildlife rehabilitator - like zookeeper, but for wild animals aimed at releasing it into the wild again. Or sometimes like a nurse, if the wild animal is sick
Zoo curator - like CEO/directors - they manage the zoo as a whole
Animal behaviourist - like psychologist, they try to understand the animal through their behaviour
Animal/Wildlife educator - this I'm not sure, but I'm assuming they're like teachers. They educate people about our animals/wildlife. They're the ones giving presentations in schools and talks.

Hope that helps :)

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Thanks very much, Dr Nat and Choy. Your feedback is really helpful..
I got few more questions actually....I dont really understand what is
MRCVS and DVM all about...if you guys dont mind, can you explain how and where can we obtain these(license or rank)? :wink:

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

DVM is the degree title offered by UPM. It stands for "Doctor of Veterinary Medicine". That is why you see vets names in their name card is like... Dr Lee D.V.M. (UPM). It basically means they got their vet degree from UPM. DVM is also offered in other vet schools around the world. Other alternative for the vet degree is BVSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Science).

MRCVS stands for Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. RCVS is in the UK. Any vet who wants to practice in the UK must be a member of the RCVS before they are allowed to practice there. To be a member, you either have to graduate from a recognised vet school, or take their entrance exams. MRCVS is also a recognised qualification for you to be registered with the Malaysian Vet Council (MVC). That means, if you graduate from places that are not recognised by the MVC (like Taiwan), you are not allowed to be registered here. So, one of the alternative is to get the MRCVS. With that, you can register and get your practicing licence. For more info on how to get the MRCVS, visit here: www.rcvs.org.uk

meichblank · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

I always wanted to be a vet since when I was 7 years old. I applied for vet course in UPM for my first choice in the UPU form upon receiving my STPM result. However, I got zoology course in UKM. I am not happy with the result given. Yet, I was confuse if I still want to study science course.

My question is, what is the career prospect for zoology course? Can I really become a vet through this course? What does this zoology course is all about?..research?

I need to settle everthing by next week for the UPU thing if i really wanted to study zoology course in UKM. I am unhappy that I didnt get Vet course. My friend said I can only appeal only if I already entered and study zoology course. How risky is it?

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

If you want to answer those questions, it is best that you meet with the lecturers at UKM who are teaching zoology. They are the best person to answer your questions. Do not be confused however, a zoologist is not a vet, and you cant be a vet by studying zoology. Although it may give you exemptions from a few subjects in the vet course.

As far as I know, appeal only applies to the particular university you appeal to. If you've already entered UKM, it would be difficult for you to appeal for a change of course as it involves a change in university as well.

Do you have any other options or plans if you do not take this zoology course now?

meichblank · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks for the information Dr Nat.

I have no idea what Am I going to do next. T.T

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Thx for the infos, Dr Nat. Really appreciate it!!

meichblank, those people like Nigel Marven, Jeff Corwin and Dr Braddy Barr are zoologists.

Zoologists are biologists who study the structures, characteristics, functions, ecology and environments of animals to increase scientific knowledge and develop practical applications in wildlife management, conservation, agriculture and medicine.

Personal Requirements:

* a keen interest in research and the study of living organisms
* good observation skills
* able to work accurately
* a logical approach to problem solving
* good oral and written communication skills
* able to work as part of a team
* able to work independently.

Actually I wanted to be a zoologist because I wanted to work with giant predators, big cats, primates and exotic creatures but in Malaysia, I never seen or heard about zoologists. You wont be able to learn about polar bears or orcas face2face unless you got sufficient fund or enough support from Malaysia government(no offence). Anyway, you can ask the professionals here what is zoologist all about since they know better.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Asterix, I think you know what a zoologist do better than most of us here. :)

Anyway, if you want to be a zoologist, you should contact the PERHILITAN or the Malaysian Zoological Society. Maybe even organisations like WWF will need zoologist. Oh, there are also many animal conservations that will need zoologists. It is definitely a low profile job, that is why you dont hear about it often. And being a zoologist is not always as glamorous as it sounds, i.e. meeting polar bears, etc. Hahaha.. more often you'll be just covered in mud and the droppings is the closest you'll get to a wild animal. :)

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:55 am Post subject:

Haha who knows maybe one day Asterix will be a Malaysian zoologist star in Astro?