Equine Science, BS Curriculum

Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
Academic Affairs

• Program Type: Baccalaureate
• Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2013
• Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120 to 124
• Required credits within the major: 72 to 84
• This program requires summer terms.
• Degree: Bachelor of Science
• Minor in Equine Science is available

Graduates of UMC's equine science program understand and are able to meet the daily care, nutrition, health care, and exercise/training needs of horses in their care. They have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in equine or equine-related employment and have the business and management experience necessary to operate an equine or related business. The program balances the practical skills students need to work with and care for horses and the theory required to build a successful career. The focus is on the business and management aspects of the horse industry, thus providing a broad-based education which appeals to employers. Options also exist for students who wish to pursue graduate school or pre-veterinary studies.

Program outcomes: graduates will

• demonstrate knowledge of theory and practical experience in physiology, nutrition, health, and reproduction of the horse;
• demonstrate a working knowledge of equine ownership responsibility and husbandry;
• be able to apply management theories and software and marketing strategies to equine and related enterprises;
• demonstrate horsemanship and training skills in a variety of disciplines and discern what methods work most effectively with horses of different temperaments and breeding/conformation;
• have practical skills and knowledge that will lead to a variety of employment opportunities in the equine 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.

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.

Equine Science

This emphasis leads graduates to equine careers, including management, training/showing, riding instruction, breeding/reproduction, feed production/sales, sales of equestrian equipment or pharmaceutical/health care products, and veterinary technician. Students receive classroom instruction and hands-on experiential learning. Focus is on the business/management aspect of the horse industry. Curriculum includes computer, communications training and sales training. Coursework includes riding instruction, nutrition, breeding, reproduction, horse production, evaluation, feeds, health/disease, management, training/showing, and facilities. Students can take courses specific to their interest.

Equine Science Minor Curriculum

Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
Academic Affairs

• Program Type: Undergraduate minor related to major
• Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2012
• Required credits in this minor: 25 to 27

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