Animal Science, BS Curriculum

Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
Academic Affairs

• Program Type: Baccalaureate
• Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2013
• Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120 to 124
• Required credits within the major: 72 to 82
• This program requires summer terms.
• Degree: Bachelor of Science
• Minor in Animal Science available

The B.S. in animal science leads to careers in livestock production and management or one of the many allied industries such as feed production, artificial insemination, and livestock or farm equipment support and sales. In addition, students can meet the requirements to attend graduate school or veterinary college.

Coursework includes computer and communications training, sales, and business management. Other required coursework is traditional to livestock degrees, but students have the option of taking courses specific to their interests. Options also exist for students who wish to pursue pre-veterinary studies.

Program outcomes: graduates will

• demonstrate competencies in dairy/livestock management;
• demonstrate individual communication skills;
• demonstrate personal problem solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills;
• demonstrate technology skills used for dairy/livestock management decision making and problem solving;
• work effectively in teams;
• be able to obtain a career in the dairy/livestock industry

Program Delivery

This program is available:

• via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)

Admission Requirements

For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.

General Requirements

All students are required to complete general University and college requirements. For more information, see the graduation requirements.

Program Requirements

Students must complete 40 upper division credits.

Program Sub-plans

Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.

Animal Science

This emphasis leads graduates to careers within the livestock industry such as production and management, feed production, artificial insemination, livestock and farm equipment support/sales, pharmaceutical sales, and veterinary technician. Students are exposed to classroom instruction and hands-on experiential learning in the laboratory. Coursework includes computer and communications training, sales training, and business management. Other required coursework is traditional to livestock degrees and may include nutrition, breeding, reproduction, evaluation, feeds, production and management, and facilities. Students can take courses specific to their interest.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

The pre-veterinary medicine emphasis meets the course entry requirements for admission to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine; however, similar entry requirements among colleges of veterinary medicine, coupled with sufficient flexibility within the curriculum, allow graduates to meet the admission requirements for many other institutions. Students who graduate are well prepared to pursue their career goal of becoming a veterinarian. Students are exposed to traditional classroom instruction as well as hands-on/experiential learning in the laboratory.

Animal Science Minor Curriculum

Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
Academic Affairs

• Program Type: Undergraduate minor related to major
• Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2013
• Required credits in this minor: 24 to 26

The minor in equine science introduces students to the pertinent areas of management and production of the equine industry. Students learn core concepts of the equine industry, including training in reproduction, exercise physiology, nutrition, management of equine facilities, and rider instructor training.

Program Delivery

This program is available:

• via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)

Minor Requirements