Animal Science in USA

The Department of Animal Sciences offers this concentration that is intended for students seeking careers in veterinary medicine, research, or technical services related to animal nutrition, growth and development, animal genetics, reproduction, animal well-being, and management. Those in this concentration should have a strong interest in and curiosity in discovery and have enjoyed their high school biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses. This concentration can be used as excellent preparation for professional careers such as human medical doctors, veterinarians, dentists, and employment in the nutrition, genomics, and pharmaceutical industries.

Animal Sciences students focus on the biology of domesticated animals, including cattle, swine, sheep, horses, poultry, and goats, as well as discoveries in animal biologics and meat derived from the traditional meat animal species. Some attention is directed toward the companion animal species, including dogs and cats. The major emphasizes integration of biological principles from the gene to the organ to the herd or flock. Core courses in the major include animal breeding, veterinary genetics, animal physiology, reproductive physiology, comparative animal nutrition, animal health, and meat science. Additional courses include career orientation, animal handling, assessing animal welfare, biology of companion animals, composition of meat animals, human/animal symbiosis, ruminant nutrition, monogastric nutrition, beef cattle production, swine production, animal growth and development, and livestock production in agricultural development.

The major offers a science track which includes biochemistry, math, physics, and organic chemistry for students with interests in postgraduate work in veterinary medicine, animal science, medicine, or other graduate programs. The major also offers a business emphasis which includes economics, accounting, marketing, farm management, commodity markets, agricultural finance, and other courses from the School of Business.

This option includes classes in equine studies, equine-assisted activities and therapies, non-profit organizations, and topics related to human development and special needs. Students also prepare and test for PATH International instructor certification, which allows them to teach therapeutic riding at any PATH International operating center.

In addition to the standard core courses for all Equine Studies majors, students in Equine Management take courses in human anatomy and physiology, agricultural business management and non-profit management, equine-assisted activities, therapeutic riding instruction, equine management, and equine conformation.  Students then select 20 approved credits to allow them to focus in the areas most relevant to their desired career.  Those courses may include classes in equine training, riding instruction, sign language, human development, and education.

The Master of Science in Animal Science equips students with knowledge and concepts from production through processing and teaches the value associated with livestock, as well as meat and milk produced from those animals. Graduates from the program will possess knowledge of livestock production systems, animal management and animal products. The knowledge and skills gained from this program prepare students for career paths in a range of fields. Students who pursue this degree will have two track options:

• The Research (Thesis) Track is designed for students who wish to gain experience through research methodology and technical writing in an original research project to be completed under the direction of a graduate faculty member.

• The Professional (Non-Thesis) Track is designed for students who desire to complete coursework that will further qualify them for public or agency employment, as well as strengthen advancement opportunities in their current or future employment.

The M.S. degree in Animal Sciences may be earned for a program of study in reproductive physiology, animal health, nutrition or management. For the M.S. degree, a minimum of 30 semester hours, including credit given for the thesis, is required.

• The minimum amount of credit for the thesis is 6 hours and in no case may it exceed 15 hours.
  • In addition, a minimum of 12 hours (exclusive of thesis) of 500- and/or 600-level coursework is required.

The Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Sam Houston State University covers scientific principles, management, and production technologies that are combined with the business aspects of the animal industry.

While many options exist, popular minors paired with the Animal Science major include Equine Science, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Agricultural Business or a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, the agricultural education teaching option is popular among students.

At Sul Ross, we believe you learn by doing. That is why students benefit from hands-on experience through the Animal Science degree programs.

The Animal Science program features an expert faculty across a variety of concentrations, from meat science to animal health/nutritional management to reproductive physiology. Here, students are immersed in the art and science of managing animals and preparing for a career in the animal agricultural industry. Currently, the Animal Science department offers a Bachelor of Science degree with concentrations in animal production, science, and pre-veterinary medicine. We offer a Master of Science in Animal Science with thesis (in-residence) and a Master of Agriculture in Animal Science non-thesis (online) degree options.

The Department of Animal Science is housed in the Everett E. Turner Range Animal Science Center (RAS) on East Highway 90, about a mile east of the main campus. RAS has specialized laboratories and facilities for animal health/nutritional management, animal production, equine science, and meat science, to name a few. The University also maintains animals for teaching and research, including a herd of registered horned Hereford cattle.

The Department of Agriculture and Nutrition Science strongly recommends that students complete the following courses as part of their General Education, as they are prerequisites for required major courses and/or requirements for graduation. Students who do not complete these courses as part of General Education can potentially add additional credits and time to their degree. 

The Department of Animal and Avian Sciences provides a challenging program for academically talented students interested in the application of biology and technology to the care, management and study of domestic and aquatic animals.  In addition to emphasizing the traditional farm species of dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine and poultry, our program includes options for courses in equine science, animal biotechnology, and sciences which prepare students for veterinary or graduate school.  Animal sciences majors explore a wide range of subjects - from fundamental biology to animal nutrition, physiology and genetics - while integrating science and economics into animal management. Courses offered by this department may be found under the following acronym: ANSC

Our department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees.  Roughly one-third of our animal sciences seniors enter veterinary school, while others go on to graduate school.  Our graduates also pursue a variety of careers such as research technicians, sales or marketing representatives, or animal producers.

The animal science major at North Dakota State University encompasses physiology, nutrition, genetics, reproduction, marketing, management and husbandry of livestock and companion animals; the important scientific understanding for the utilization of animal products; and experiences necessary for leadership in, and advocacy for, industries providing animals and animal products that benefit humans.

The faculty and staff conduct teaching, research and extension programs to support production and utilization of many types of animals, including beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine, horses and poultry, as well as those providing other types of food and fiber, companion animals and animals in zoos.

Students majoring in animal science for the B.S. degree may choose to focus on one of nine concentrations: animal business, production, science, meat science, equine production, equine science, equine assisted therapy, companion animal science, and companion animal science (pre-veterinary). In addition, the department also directs the pre-professional course preparation for veterinary medicine and the Equine Science Certificate Program.

For students majoring in animal science, the Business Concentration prepares them for careers in all facets of livestock production and subsidiary support services by blending animal science with business and economics courses. The Production Concentration provides the latest scientific principles for efficient livestock production, marketing, and processing. The Science Concentration provides training in advanced basic sciences to prepare students for study toward an advanced degree. The Meat Science Concentration prepares students in meat processing, science, and safety.

The equine emphasis options are designed to prepare students for careers in the equine industry. The Equine Science Concentration provides training in advanced basic sciences to prepare students for study towards an advanced degree with equine emphasis. The Equine Production Concentration is designed to prepare students to enter the equine industry with training in all aspects of equine management. The Equine Assisted Therapy Concentration is a specialized concentration to prepare students for a career in the field of equine therapy and handicapped rehabilitation.

The Companion Animal Science Concentration prepares students for careers working with companion animals, while the Companion Animal Science (Pre-Veterinary) Concentration prepares students for post-graduate training in veterinary medicine.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all animal science courses required for graduation. In addition, students are required to participate in an internship or research experience to fulfill graduation requirements. All electives are subject to departmental approval.

Students planning to apply to Veterinary Medicine School have the option to apply for admission during their junior year. Students who are admitted to a Veterinary Medicine School prior to completing their bachelor’s degree in Animal Science can attend Veterinary Medicine School and then transfer their first year of credits back to TTU and receive their Animal Science B.S. degree. Students who desire to complete this option need to communicate with their advisor in order to work out their degree plan accordingly. To be eligible for this option, students will be required to complete 92 to 94 credit hours toward degree, under the direction of an Animal Science advisor, prior to attending Veterinary Medicine School.

The companion animal and equine science concentration is designed for students intending to pursue a career in those industries generally not associated with traditional meat animal or dairy production. Students will take courses that prepare them for careers in specialized fields of animal care, animal health and animal well-being associated with zoos, kennels, research laboratories, and the racing industry.

The concentration in equine science combines the scientific and behavioral study of horses with an exploration of the business, management, and recreational aspects of the equine industry.

The curriculum in science, with its flexible design, provides the necessary background in biochemistry, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and modern concepts of biology in preparation for professional schools of dentistry, human medicine, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine or graduate study in such fields as animal breeding, animal physiology, biochemistry and nutrition.  

Equine Science and Management courses emphasize basic science and business concepts that apply to equine production and management. 

This option designed to provide a strong foundation in animal and equine science and its application to equine production and management for those interested in a career in the horse industry.