What passes for an "average" year for a veterinary student at Michigan State University depends on where the student is in his or her collegiate career.

Basically, the first two years of veterinary college consist of classes. So between going to classes, studying, doing labs and trying to find time for some kind of social life, a student's day can grow very long.

The last two years consist mainly of clinical rotations. One week the future veterinarian will be doing large-animal orthopedics, the next small-animal ophthalmology. Although there are required rotations, the student, depending on his or her interests, may also choose from a number of electives.

For detailed information on the program, visit the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Web site.

The college's veterinary program is made up of four phases:

Phase I totals 39 credits over two semesters. Focusing on normality, Phase I operates under the assumption that the student must know what is right with a patient before he or she can know what's wrong. It focuses on normal structure and function, basic radiology, nutrition and other subjects.

Phase II totals 43 credits over two semesters and focuses on abnormality. It covers topics such as the principles of pathology, pharmacology, toxicology and more.

Phase III is one semester, 21 credit hours, and emphasizes intervention and prevention. Coursework looks at the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

Phase IV, a total of 60 credits covering four semesters, places the student in the clinic. There are required clerkships in areas such as equine medicine, food-animal medicine and small-animal medicine. Students may also choose from elective clerkships in areas such as anesthesiology, cardiology and dermatology.

A total of 163 credits, with a grade point average of at least 2.0, must be completed to receive the doctor of veterinary medicine degree.

A license to engage in practice is granted upon passing a state board examination.

Prospective students can find further information on the program curriculum on the MSUCVM Web site.