Animal Science, Bachelor of Science College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Anne Todgham, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Department

The Major Program

The Animal Science major is devoted to the sciences central to understanding biological function of domestic and captive animals, their care, management, and utilization by people for food, fiber, companionship, work, and recreation. Advances in science and technology, and an ever-growing human population, have increased the complexity of issues surrounding the care and management of animals. Specializations within the major allow students to develop a scientific appreciation of animals and their relationship to their environment. Graduates in Animal Science are able to advance the science and technology of animal care and management in an objective and effective manner for the betterment of animals and society.

The Program

The curriculum provides depth in the biological and physiological sciences and allows students to specialize within the broad field of applied animal science. Study begins with introductory courses in animal science, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics. Students undertake advanced courses in animal behavior, biochemistry, genetics, nutrition, and physiology and the integration of these sciences to animal growth, production, and  performance. Students complete the curriculum by choosing a specialization in either an animal science discipline (behavior, biochemistry, genetics, nutrition, or physiology) or in the sciences particular to a class of animals (aquatic, avian, companion and captive, equine, laboratory, livestock and dairy, or poultry).

Career Alternatives

A wide range of career opportunities are available to graduates. The primary goal of the major is to prepare students for graduate study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees; for continued study in a professional school such as veterinary medicine, human medicine, or dentistry; for careers in research, agricultural production, farm and ranch management, or positions in business, sales, financial services, health care, agricultural extension, consulting services, teaching, journalism, or laboratory technology.

Graduate Study

The Animal Biology Graduate Group offers a program of study and research leading to M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in Animal Biology. See Animal Biology (Graduate Group); see also Graduate Studies.

Lead Faculty Advisor

Russ Hovey, Ph.D.

Preparatory Subject Matter
Animal Science12
Domestic Animals & People 1
Introductory Animal Science
Domestic Animal Production 2
Domestic Animal Production Laboratory 2
Biological Science15
Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth
Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution
Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life
Chemistry; choose 002 series & 008 series or 118 series:16-18
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
AND
Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
OR
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
Mathematics; choose a series:6-8
Short Calculus
and Short Calculus
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
Calculus
and Calculus
Choose one:4
Applied Statistics in Agricultural Sciences
Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences
Note: Some professional and graduate schools may require additional preparatory subject matter; consult the Advising Center.
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal53-57
Depth Subject Matter
Biology44
Genes & Gene Expression
Genetics & Animal Breeding
Animal Biochemistry & Metabolism
Animal Biochemistry & Metabolism
Systemic Physiology
Animal Physiology
Principles & Applications of Domestic Animal Behavior
Animal Health & Disease
Ethics of Animal Use
Animal Nutrition
Comparative Animal Nutrition & Metabolism
Integrative Animal Biology Restricted Electives:
For Companion & Captive, Disciplinary Focus-Behavior, Disciplinary Focus-Biochemistry, Disciplinary Focus-Genetics, Disciplinary Focus-Nutrition, Disciplinary Focus-Physiology, Equine Science, Laboratory Animals, and Livestock & Dairy specializations: must take two from the following list:6-8
Animal Growth & Development
Lactation
Physiology of Reproduction
Physiology of the Endocrine Glands
For Aquatic Animal specialization; must take two from the following list:
Animal Growth & Development
Biology of Invertebrates
Comparative Vertebrate Organology
Biology & Conservation of Fishes
For Avian Sciences & Poultry specializations; must take two from the following list:
Animal Growth & Development
Avian Biology
Avian Physiology
Physiology of the Endocrine Glands
Laboratory
Choose one:2-6
Molecular Biology Laboratory Techniques
Domestic Animal Behavior Laboratory
Animal Cell Culture Laboratory
Animal Nutrition Laboratory
Production Animal Laboratory
Techniques & Practices of Fish Culture
Techniques & Practices of Avian Culture
Experimental Animal Physiology
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory
Principles of Genetics Laboratory
Systemic Physiology Laboratory
Cellular Physiology/Neurobiology Laboratory
Immunology Laboratory
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal52-58
Area of Specialization
Choose one area of specialization below:12
The program of study must be approved in advance by your faculty advisor. Courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Area of Specialization Subtotal12
Total Units117-127
1

ANS 001 will be waived for junior transfer students.

2

ANS 041, ANS 041L will be waived for junior transfer students.

Aquatic Animals Specialization

ANS 018Introductory Aquaculture4
Select additional upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.8

Avian Sciences Specialization

AVS 013Birds, Humans & the Environment3
Select additional upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.9

Companion & Captive Animals Specialization

ANS 042Introductory Companion Animal Biology4
ANS 142Companion Animal Care & Management4
Select additional upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.4

Disciplinary Focus―Behavior Specialization

Select upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.12

Disciplinary Focus―Biochemistry Specialization

Select upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.12

Disciplinary Focus―Genetics Specialization

Select upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.12

Disciplinary Focus―Nutrition Specialization

Select upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.12

Disciplinary Focus―Physiology Specialization

Select upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.12

Equine Science Specialization

ANS 015Introductory Horse Husbandry3
ANS 115Advanced Horse Production4
Select additional upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.5

 Laboratory Animals Specialization

ANS 042Introductory Companion Animal Biology4
ANS 140Management of Laboratory Animals4
Select additional upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.4

Livestock & Dairy Specialization

Choose two:8-9
Pig & Poultry Care & Management
Beef Cattle & Sheep Production
Dairy Cattle Production
Select additional upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.3-4

Poultry Specialization

AVS 011Introduction to Poultry Science3
ANS 143Pig & Poultry Care & Management4
Select additional upper division units with approval from your faculty advisor, to form a coherent series of courses.5