Animal Science BS
Total Units Required: 120
The Bachelor of Science in Animal Science prepares students for diverse careers involving all aspects of food animal agriculture. Careers in food animal production, support industries such as animal health and nutrition companies, and pre-professional preparation for graduate or professional school studies are all possible directions for students obtaining this degree. In addition, management level courses in several food animal species are offered. Students get hands-on learning about food animals such as sheep, beef and dairy cattle, and pigs at the University Farm.
The option in food animal production. This is a general animal science option that balances science and production. Students should select this option if they are interested in entering the livestock production field or any of the supporting industries (feed companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc.).
The option in pre-veterinary science. This option prepares students for application to professional programs such as veterinary schools and graduate programs. Emphasis is on advanced sciences to prepare students for post-baccalaureate education. Students interested in pre-veterinary medicine should pursue this option.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Course Requirements for the Major: 78 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Core | ||
| ABUS 101 | Introduction to Agricultural Business and Economics | 3 |
| ANSC 100 | Introduction to Food Animal Systems | 3 |
| ANSC 101 | Introduction to Animal Science | 3 |
| ANSC 230 | Animal Feeds and Nutrition | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Chemistry for Applied Sciences | ||
| General Chemistry I 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Organic Chemistry for Applied Sciences | ||
| General Chemistry II 1 | ||
| Upper Division Core | ||
| AGRI 305 | Agricultural Genetics | 3 |
| AGRI 482W | Agricultural Issues (W) | 3 |
| AGRI 490W | Agricultural Experimental Research (W) | 4 |
| ANSC 330 | Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| ANSC 340 | Reproductive Physiology of Domestic Animals | 3 |
| ANSC 360 | Animal Health and Disease | 3 |
| ANSC 440 | Physiology of Domestic Animals | 3 |
| Major Option | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 33 | |
| Total Units | 78 | |
Major Option Course Requirements
Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.
The Option in Food Animal Production: 33 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Plant Science | ||
| Introduction to Soil Science | ||
| Select nine units from the following: | 9 | |
Any combination of lower-division courses in Agricultural Business (ABUS), Agriculture (AGRI), Agricultural Engineering Technology (AGET), Animal Science (ANSC), and Plant and Soil Science (PSSC). | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Agricultural Ecology | ||
| Holistic Management | ||
| Livestock Grazing Ecology and Management | ||
| Forage Crops | ||
| Select three of the following: 1 | 9 | |
| Live Animal and Carcass Evaluation | ||
| Principles of Beef Cattle Production | ||
| Principles of Dairy Production | ||
| Principles of Meat Science | ||
| Principles of Rangeland Livestock Management | ||
| Intermediate Animal Systems | ||
| Meat and the Consumer | ||
| Livestock and Companion Animal Behavior | ||
| Sheep Production | ||
| Swine Production | ||
| Organic Dairy Production and Management | ||
| Livestock Grazing Ecology and Management | ||
| Food Sanitation and Quality Control | ||
| Animal Welfare | ||
| Advanced Beef Cattle Management and Production | ||
| Dairy Production and Management | ||
| Select nine units from the following: 2 | 9 | |
Any combination of upper-division courses in Agricultural Business (ABUS), Agriculture (AGRI), Agricultural Engineering Technology (AGET), Animal Science (ANSC), and Plant and Soil Science (PSSC). Choose courses in consultation with your advisor. | ||
- 1
One course can be lower division.
- 2
At least one course must be Agricultural Business (ABUS).
The Option in Pre-Veterinary Science: 33 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 162 | Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 163 | Principles of Physiology and Development | 4 |
| CHEM 270 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 370 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 451 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| Select two of the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Live Animal and Carcass Evaluation | ||
| Principles of Beef Cattle Production | ||
| Principles of Dairy Production | ||
| Principles of Meat Science | ||
| Principles of Rangeland Livestock Management | ||
| Intermediate Animal Systems | ||
| Meat and the Consumer | ||
| Livestock and Companion Animal Behavior | ||
| Sheep Production | ||
| Swine Production | ||
| Organic Dairy Production and Management | ||
| Livestock Grazing Ecology and Management | ||
| Food Sanitation and Quality Control | ||
| Animal Welfare | ||
| Advanced Beef Cattle Management and Production | ||
| Dairy Production and Management | ||
| Select nine units from the following: | 9 | |
Any combination of upper-division courses in Agricultural Business (ABUS), Agriculture (AGRI), Agricultural Engineering Technology (AGET), Animal Science (ANSC), and Plant and Soil Science (PSSC). Choose courses in consultation with your advisor to meet the subject matter competency requirements. | ||
- 1
One course can be lower division.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires six units of honors coursework completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
- You must take six units of Honors in the Major coursework. All six units are honors courses (marked by a suffix of H), and at least three of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each course with a minimum grade of B.
- You must have completed 9 units of upper-division coursework or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the six units of coursework over the two semesters of their senior year.
- Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
Honors in the Major is not part of the Honors Program. Each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 48 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.
This major has approved GE modification(s). See below for information on how to apply these modification(s).
- ANSC 101 is an approved major course substitution for Life Science (B2).
- AGRI 482W is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Social Sciences (UD-D).
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
- AGRI 490W Agricultural Experimental Research (W)
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.