The Science of Science

Aug 08

More Forest, Less Trees: Katy Perry - California Burritos (Overzet Remixxxx) -

Hey guys, just remixed the song of the summer after a California Buritto spoke to me in my dreams last night:

California burritos

We’re unforgettable

Asada Dukes

Cheese on top

Sun-kissed tortilla

So hot

We’ll melt your

Mouth

Oooooh oh oooooh

California burritos

[video]

Jul 31

[video]

Jul 30

(via mikefogz)

(via mikefogz)

I agree on his vacant lot ideas

Jul 28

New Yogi Bear Movie Poster

I just wanted to post this for this quote:

Yogi Bear starring Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake as Yogi and Boo Boo, plus Anna Faris and Christine Taylor.  Somewhere, Brendan Fraser stared morosely at his silent phone, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

- FilmDrunk.com


Jul 19

I’ve Been Incepted.

Inception was exactly what I needed in a film. Smart, Innovative, and “Syfy“‘y. Just like Nolan’s last film, The Dark Knight, Inception topped out at around 2.5hrs. The film did not seem that long at all. Its the kind of story that grips it and rips it. It was the kind of story that I wish I could write. I love the dream with in a dream ideas throughout the story. The visually stunning scenes where Joseph Gordon-Levitt is defying gravity, due to what is happening in the first dreamscape is mesmerizing. I could relate to what was happening. In my favorite dreams I am flying and defying gravity might be my next desire. I was pretty excited for this film but not as much as I am for Tron: Legacy. It really surprised me. Its like mixing The Matrix, Memento, and Oceans 11. Trade the corniness of Oceans 11 for the semi-seriousness of Magnolia. I want to go see this film again soon, not because I didnt understand it unlike these fellows: J.R. JonesAndrew O’Hehir, and this moron Rex Reed. This film is honestly now in my top 10. It had most everything I like in it…. too bad there were no vamps (@ peteroverzet)

Jul 18

The Origins of Veterinary Medicine

So you want to be a Veterinarian, yes? Is it because you have always loved animals and want to work with them? If so that is a good start but you need to understand a little more about the profession to really commit to the large amount of schooling and debt needed to do so. Its not all just giving puppies vaccines, there are some hard parts. 


If you are not up to perform euthanasia for animals then this is not the profession for you. Depending on the type of practice you will be performing this gift to suffering creatures. My advice is to get a job or volunteer with a local vet to get some first hand experience with euthanasia. It is extremely sad but you might be surprised at how you can handle it. This should be a good indicator of whether or not you really want to go through with the long path to become a veterinarian. Now an important thing is to not base it off personal experiences with pets. Go in with a open mind and just be the fly on the wall seeing the whole process and how helpful it really is to the animals. If I based this off of the 1st, and only time, I have watched Marley and Me then I would not be going to vet school. Because everyday would be the saddest day of my life.  


I digress. The main reason for this post was to give a little concise history of what it is to be a Veterinarian as well as the history behind the profession. 


The Veterinarian’s Oath:

Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.
This oath was adopted by the AVMA in July 1969 by the House of Delegates. It was slightly modified in 1999. A key point is the relief of animal suffering for which i mentioned early about euthanasia. Its in the Oath you pledge upon graduation to end suffering if no other means can help the animal. Once again get experience with euthanasia if you are hesitant and you will understand that it is a good thing for the suffering of animals.  


Ancient Veterinary Medicine History
Veterinary medicine dates back to 3500BC in Egypt (in hieroglyphics), China, and Mesopotamia. The domestication of livestock was the first sign of humans tending to animals. In China between 4000-3000BC there are records of herbs used for curative effects but the true healing of animals was thought to have begun in Mesopotamia around 3000BC with the first known veterinarian, Urlugaledinna.


A little closer to our time comes Alcmaeon, he was the first recorded person to dissect animals for scientific reasons, this happened around 500BC. Few hundred years later the first animal hospitals were recorded in 273-232BC during the reign of King Ashoka in Indian history during the Brahman era. 


Semi-modern Veterinary Medicine History
The first official veterinary school was in 1762AD by Claude Bourgelat in Lyons. Lyon College was created by the work of Bourgelat. This led to a new veterinary teaching schools in the 1770s in Hanover, Sweden, Denmark, and Vienna. The Royal Veterinary College in London was founded in 1791. The first American veterinarian school was not established until 1879, more than a century after the first European schools. 


Modern Veterinary Medicine History
This brings us to the present. There are currently 28 Veterinary Schools in the United States. There are many schools abroad in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Senegal, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Libya Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Phillippines, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, U.K., West Indies, and Jordan. As you can see the world of Veterinary Medicine has grown quite a bit. 


The next post will deal with the different areas that Veterinary Medicine has grown into. There are many specialties to choose from which will be discussed next time. For now enjoy the Universal Veterinary Symbol:

Veterinary symbol (caduceus). Best medical symbol ever? yes.





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Jul 16

Starting Your Bachelor’s Degree

So you have made it to the first real challenge on your way to become a vet. There is a lot to learn about yourself and college your freshmen year. So what major do you declare if you want to be a Veterinarian? That may seem like a straightforward answer. Biology. But to become a vet you do not need to have any specific major. As long as you complete the prerequisite classes you will qualify for admissions. Now most students are Biology or Chemistry majors since the prereqs and course materials overlap so much. The admissions committee takes into consideration other majors and likes to make a diverse class. So you can be an Art major or Political Science and get into vet school as long as you do the prereqs.


At my university it was unusual to finish a BS degree in a mere 4 years. It took me 4.5 years because of the availability of classes. I advise you take the prerequisite classes for vet school ASAP. They can be tough but schools are different in their registration for classes. I ran into trouble when I changed my major after my freshmen year. My school gives priority registration of classes to 1st years then in the following order: 5th+ year, 4th year, 3rd year, and lastly 2nd year.


So when it came time for me to register for classes for my 2nd year all the 1st year students filled up the prerequisites I needed for Vet school. This is why it took me 4.5 years (including all summers) to graduate. So to avoid this, stick to your major and take as many prerequisite classes as you can do at a time. Do not overload yourself. Make sure you give yourself an easy class to give yourself a break. I like classes like rock climbing, Scuba diving, or photography to use as an outlet of stress.


Here are the classes that are generally part of the prerequisite material for veterinary schools (give or take a few classes depending on the school):

  1. General Biology w/ lab - 2 semesters (8 units)
  2. Biochemistry - 1 semester (3 units)
  3. General Chemistry w/ lab - 2 semesters (~10 units)
  4. Organic Chemistry w/ lab - 2 semesters (~10 units)
  5. Physics w/ lab - 2 semesters (8 units)
  6. Statistics - 1 semester (3 units)
  7. Calculus I/II - 1-2 semesters (3-6 units)
  8. Social Science and Humanities - (6 units)
  9. English Composition - 2 semesters (6 units)
  10. Communication - 1 semester (3 units)
Some schools require the following:
  1. Microbiology w/ lab - 1 semester (4 units)
  2. Animal Nutrition - 1 semester (3 units)
Now remember these are just the generic requirements. Every school is slightly different so make sure to check the schools you want to apply for. Become familiar with this site: AAVMC. This is the portal where you submit your application to most of the schools. At the link is a list of each school and the requirements for each. 

I will not go into how hard it is or statistics just yet for getting into school. I will worry you of those later. For now remember to continue volunteering or getting a vet technician job in order gain experience. Remember get a WIDE VARIETY of exposure to the veterinary field to show that you are a well rounded applicant. 

Some ways to find experience:
  1. Pre-Veterinary Club
  2. Vet Technician Job Postings (craigslist, newspaper ads, job postings)
  3. Animal Shelters
  4. Zoos
  5. Wildlife Refuges
  6. Pet Stores
  7. Pet sitting
  8. Ranches/Stables