Animal science majors may study animal production and management or explore the biological and physical sciences
What You Need to Know About Becoming an Animal Science Major
Animal science majors study a range of life sciences to better understand animal breeding, behavior, physiology and management among various species, including pets, farm animals and exotic animals. Depending on the track, majors might study business-related topics to prepare for careers in animal management or take advanced science and math classes to prepare for careers in medicine.
What Is an Animal Science Major?
The animal science major prepares students with a foundation in science, math and, depending on a student’s interest, business so they can pursue careers in animal management, medicine, or research- and policy-related work.
Animal science programs may offer specialized tracks with either a focus on animal care and management or science and medicine. Students interested in animal management, for example, might examine the economics of producing and maintaining livestock, learn how to conduct financial analyses, and explore the basics of marketing. Animal science majors interested in practicing medicine or conducting research, meanwhile, take advanced coursework and conduct research in the life sciences.
Common Coursework Animal Science Majors Can Expect
Typical coursework for animal science majors includes foundational classes like principles of animal science, animal nutrition, and animal reproduction and development.
Advanced coursework may vary as many programs require students to choose a specialized track in animal care and management, pre-veterinary medicine, or equine science. Animal care and management students complete advanced coursework in business-related topics, such as agricultural business management, whereas students interested in a science and medicine track might complete advanced coursework in organic chemistry, physics and avian physiology.
Many animal science programs also offer students opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships at zoos and veterinary teaching hospitals. Some schools, such as the University of California--Davis, even offer students the opportunity to live rent-free for one year at one of the university’s animal facilities in exchange for 10 weekly hours of animal care. Another program that integrates real-world experience into its curriculum is Cornell University’s Dairy Fellows program, which affords students the chance to engage with professionals in the dairy industry by touring facilities and performing financial analyses of dairy businesses.
How to Know if This Major Is the Right Fit for You
This major might be right for you if you have a passion for animals, an interest in working in an animal-related business or an interest in pursuing medicine. If you like the idea of managing a farm, for example, this major could be right for you because it can prepare you to create financial plans and measure the economic viability of products.
If you are interested in providing preventive and wellness care to animals or people, an animal science degree can provide the pre-health background for medical, veterinary, dental or nursing school. This major might also be a good fit for students who are analytical thinkers and problem-solvers and who are interested in pursuing research careers in areas such as physiology and nutrition.
What Can I Do With an Animal Science Major?
While one popular career path for animal science majors is veterinary medicine, graduates pursue careers in a variety of animal-related fields, such as farm management, zookeeping, dairy production and management, and wildlife conservation. Those in a biomedical track within the animal science degree might also choose careers in non-animal-related fields, becoming doctors, nurses, dentists or physician assistants.
Some animal science majors might pursue research and policy careers and end up working, for example, with a government agency, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Yet another path for animal science majors is advanced study. Some graduates pursue master’s or doctoral degrees to teach or research in areas such as biology, genetics, nutrition or animal management.
Schools Offering an Animal Science Major
Check out some schools below that offer animal science majors and find the full list of schools here that you can filter and sort.
University of Lincoln - Lincoln, United Kingdom
The scientific study of animal behaviour and welfare furthers our understanding of why animals behave in the way that they do and helps us learn how best to respond to the challenges that animals face when living in captive and wild environments. This degree employs a multi-disciplinary, research-driven approach to the study of animal behaviour and welfare. The course aims to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand animal behaviour and welfare, working, for example, with insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
University of Stirling - Stirling, United Kingdom
What determines an animal’s resistance to disease? Why do many female animals exhibit ‘mate choice’? How can we help animals cope in hostile environments? On this course, you’ll you study the enormous variety of animal life on earth and discover the answers to these and many other searching questions.
New Mexico State University - Las Cruces, USA
The Department of Animal and Range Sciences is part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Our main facilities are located in Knox Hall on the NMSU campus in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Our on-campus animal facilities house beef cattle, horses, swine, goats, and sheep
University Centre Myerscough - Lancashire, United Kingdom
Our Bachelor of Science (BSc Honours) ensures that you develop skills and knowledge of the fundamental areas of equine science, whilst offering optional and elective modules to personalise your chosen route of study. You will be prepared to enter careers in areas such as research and development, welfare, breeding, nutrition and therapy
Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences - Velp, Netherlands
Do you want to learn all about animal behavior, welfare, breeding, trade and horsemanship combined with business management, marketing, and innovation? Are you interested in a Bachelor with a practical approach? Study Equine, Sports and Business at Van Hall Larenstein in the Netherlands
Brigham Young University - Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences - Rexburg, USA
Animal Science is designed to prepare students to work in animal production agriculture, associated animal agribusiness, or competitively compete for entrance into veterinary school or other related Animal Science graduate programs
Feather River College - Quincy, USA
Feather River College started offering in the Fall of 2016 a bachelor's of science pilot program in equine and ranch management in cooperation with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. This unique degree combines scientific agricultural ranch management courses with hands-on horse related disciplines that incorporate traditional and progressive performance-horse methods
