Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Department of Animal Science

Catherine W. Ernst, Chairperson

Animal Science is an exciting field that has applications to a wide range of animal species and provides opportunities from production through agribusiness, processing, research, and human animal interaction. Animal Science provides a solid foundation for diverse careers as well as professional schools such as human and veterinary medicine, or graduate school. A degree in Animal Science at Michigan State University prepares students well for many career paths.

Undergraduate Program


Animal Science

The undergraduate program in animal science is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers by providing a strong basic science foundation paired with practical animal experience gained through the multiple farm facilities near campus.  Graduates may be employed in research, extension, agribusiness, finance, marketing, public relations, event or association management, farm ownership, and more.  Graduates often attend veterinary or graduate school as well.

All animal science students must complete a set of required core courses that include anatomy and physiology, nutrition, genetics, and management. These courses are taught using beef cattle, companion animals, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, and swine.  Additional courses are then added to allow students to personalize their program of study.  Scientific principles of biology and animal science are key components of the program although the animal science major also provides enough flexibility for students to choose a path that meets their needs and interest areas.  Students choose from one of the following concentrations as they plan their degree program: animal industry, companion and exotic animal biology, dairy industry, or animal biology/preveterinary.

The animal industry concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in managing animal operations. Marketing, sales, and production of animals and animal products offer numerous employment opportunities. The companion and exotic animal biology concentration prepares students for careers in the areas of small animal nutrition, pet food sales, and captive and small animal management. Students may also use their elective credits to complete the preveterinary requirements and apply to MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The dairy industry concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in the dairy industry. Potential career opportunities include operating and managing dairy operations and working for dairy allied businesses in the areas of nutrition, reproduction, health, finance, and marketing. The animal biology/preveterinary concentration is designed for students who are interested in an advanced degree in animal science or a career in veterinary medicine. The requirements for admission to MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine are included in the requirements for this concentration. Using electives, students may be able to complete requirements for other veterinary schools. Each veterinary school requires different courses for admission. It is the student’s responsibility to assess requirements and transferability of courses to the desired veterinary school.

Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in animal science may elect a Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology.  For additional information, refer to the Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology statement.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Animal Science major is met by completing one of the following courses:  Animal Science 301, 313, 314, 409, or 435. Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the Animal Science major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in the Department of Animal Science may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses:  Biological Science 161 and 171, Chemistry 141, and Chemistry 143 or 251. The completion of Biological Science 171 satisfies the laboratory requirement. Biological Science 161 and 171, Chemistry 141, and Chemistry 143 or 251 may be counted toward both the alternative track and the requirements for the major referenced in item 3. below.

    The completion of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources mathematics requirement may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
  2. The requirements of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following courses (21 credits):
    ANS 101 Professional Development in Animal Science I 1
    ANS 110 Introductory Animal Agriculture 3
    ANS 110L Introductory Animal Agriculture Laboratory 1
    ANS 210 Introduction to Disciplines in Animal Agriculture 3
    ANS 301 Professional Development in Animal Science II 3
    ANS 401 Ethical Issues in Animal Agriculture 1
    BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    BS 171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
    CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
    b. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
    STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
    STT 231 Statistics for Scientists 3
    STT 421 Statistics I 3
    STT 464 Statistics for Biologists 3
    c. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    CEM 143 Survey of Organic Chemistry 4
    CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
    d. Two of the following introductory management courses (6 credits):
    ANS 134 Dairy Production I 3
    ANS 201 Animal Products 3
    ANS 222 Introductory Beef Cattle Management 3
    ANS 234 Dairy Production II 3
    ANS 242 Introductory Horse Management 3
    ANS 252 Introduction to Management of Avian Species 3
    ANS 262 Introductory Sheep Management 3
    ANS 272 Introductory Swine Management 3
    ANS 282 Companion Animal Biology and Management 3
    e. A minimum of 14 credits from the following introductory discipline courses:
    ANS  305 Applied Animal Behavior  3
       ANS  305L  Applied Animal Behavior Laboratory 1
       ANS  307 Animal Reproduction  3
       ANS  309 Animal Health and Disease Management  3
       ANS  313 Principles of Animal Feeding and Nutrition (W) 4
       ANS  314 Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals  4
       ANS  315 Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals  4
       ANS  407 Food and Animal Toxicology  3
    f.  One of the following advanced management courses (3 credits): 
    ANS 334 Dairy Management I 3
       ANS  422 Advanced Beef Cattle Feedlot Management  3
       ANS  442 Advanced Horse Management  3
       ANS  472 Advanced Swine Management  3
       ANS  482 Advanced Companion Animal Management  3
       FSC  432 Food Processing: Dairy Foods  3
       FSC  433 Food Processing: Muscle Foods  3
    g.  A minimum of 2 credits in experiential learning: 
       ANS  300A  Advanced Livestock Judging  2
       ANS  300C Dairy Cattle Judging Team  2
       ANS  300D Advanced Horse Judging  2
       ANS  300E  Animal Welfare Judging  2
       ANS  300F  Dairy Challenge Experiences  2
       ANS  480 Animal Systems in International Development 3
       ANS  492 Undergraduate Research in Animal Science  3
       ANS  493 Professional Internship in Animal Science  3
    A minimum of 3 credits in a department-approved Education Abroad program
    h. One of the following concentrations (20 to 40 credits):
    Animal Industry (20 to 24 credits):
    1. The following courses (3 credits):
    ANS 201  Animal Products 3
    ANS 201 may not be used to fulfill requirement 3.d. above.
    2. One of the following courses (2 or 3 credits):
    AFRE 203 Data Analysis for the Agri-Food System 3
    CSS 110 Computer Applications in Agronomy 2
    3. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    AFRE 100 Decision-making in the Agri-Food System 3
    AFRE 130 Farm Management I 3
    4. One of the following advanced management courses (3 credits):
    ANS 422 Advanced Beef Cattle Feedlot Management 3
    ANS 434 Dairy Management II 3
    ANS 442 Advanced Horse Management 3
    ANS 472 Advanced Swine Management 3
    ANS 482 Advanced Companion Animal Management 3
    FSC 432 Food Processing: Dairy Foods 3
    FSC 433 Food Processing: Muscle Foods 3
    Courses used to fulfill this requirement may not be used to fulfill requirement 3. f. above.
    5. A minimum of 9 credits from the following courses:
    ANS 211 Animal and Product Evaluation 3
    ANS 305 Applied Animal Behavior 3
    ANS 305L Applied Animal Behavior Laboratory 1
    ANS 307 Animal Reproduction 3
    ANS 309 Animal Health and Disease Management 3
    ANS 313 Principles of Animal Feeding and Nutrition (W) 4
    ANS 314 Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals (W) 4
    ANS 315 Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals 4
    ANS 404 Introduction to Quantitative Genetics 3
    ANS 407 Food and Animal Toxicology 3
    ANS 409 Problems, Controversies and Advancements in Reproduction (W) 4
    ANS 413 Non-Ruminant Nutrition 4
    ANS 418 Animal Agriculture and the Environment 3
    ANS 425 Animal Biotechnology 3
    ANS 427 Environmental Toxicology and Society 3
    ANS 435 Mammary Physiology 4
    ANS 445 Equine Exercise Physiology 4
    ANS 455 Avian Physiology 4
    ANS 483 Ruminant Nutrition 3
    Courses used to fulfill this requirement may not be used to fulfill requirement 3. e. above.
    Animal Biology and Preveterinary (32 to 39 credits):
    1.  All of the following courses (11 credits):
    BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology 3
    BS 172 Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory 2
    CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
    CEM 255 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2
    2. One of the following courses (4 credits):
    BMB 200 Introduction to Biochemistry 4
    BMB 401 Comprehensive Biochemistry 4
    3. A minimum of 9 credits from the following courses:
    ANS 404 Introduction to Quantitative Genetics 2
    ANS 409 Problems, Controversies and Advancements in Reproduction (W) 4
    ANS 413 Non-Ruminant Nutrition 4
    ANS 418 Animal Agriculture and the Environment 3
    ANS 425 Animal Biotechnology 3
    ANS 427 Environmental Toxicology and Society 3
    ANS 445 Equine Exercise Physiology 4
    ANS 455 Avian Physiology 4
    ANS 435 Mammary Physiology (W) 4
    ANS 483 Ruminant Nutrition 3
    4. A minimum of 8 credits from the following courses:
    ANS 305 Applied Animal Behavior 3
    ANS 305L Applied Animal Behavior Laboratory 1
    ANS 307 Animal Reproduction 3
    ANS 309 Animal Health and Disease Management 3
    ANS 313 Principles of Animal Feeding and Nutrition (W) 4
    ANS 314 Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals (W) 4
    ANS 315 Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals 4
    IBIO 313 Animal Behavior 3
    IBIO 341 Fundamental Genetics 4
    MMG 301 Introductory Microbiology 3
    MMG 302 Introductory Laboratory for General and Allied Health Microbiology 1
    MMG 409 Eukaryotic Cell Biology 3
    PHM 450 Introduction to Chemical Toxicology 3
    PHY 231 Introductory Physics I 3
    PHY 232 Introductory Physics II 3
    PHY 251 Introductory Physics Laboratory I 1
    PHY 252 Introductory Physics Laboratory II 1
    Courses used to fulfill this requirement may not be used to fulfill requirement 3. e. above.
    Companion and Exotic Animal Biology (30 to 33 credits)
    1. All of the following courses (17 credits):
    ANS 482 Advanced Companion Animal Management 3
    BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology 4
    BS 172 Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory 2
    CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
    CEM 255 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2
    IBIO 328 Comparative Anatomy and Biology of Vertebrates 4
    2. One of the following courses (4 credits):
    BMB 200 Introduction to Biochemistry 4
    BMB 401 Comprehensive Biochemistry 4
    3. A minimum of 9 credits from the following courses:
    ANS 305 Applied Animal Behavior 3
    ANS  305L  Applied Animal Behavior Laboratory 1
       ANS  307 Animal Reproduction  3
       ANS  309 Animal Health and Disease Management  3
    ANS  313 Principles of Animal Feeding and Nutrition (W) 4
    ANS  314 Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals (W)  4
    ANS  315 Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals  4
    ANS 404 Introduction to Quantitative Genetics 3
       ANS  407 Food and Animal Toxicology  3
    ANS 409 Problems, Controversies and Advancements in Reproduction (W) 4
    ANS 413 Non-Ruminant Nutrition 4
    ANS 418 Animal Agriculture and the Environment 3
    ANS 425 Animal Biotechnology 3
    ANS 427 Environmental Toxicology and Society 3
    ANS 435 Mammary Physiology (W) 4
    ANS 445 Equine Exercise Physiology 4
    ANS 455 Avian Physiology 4
    ANS 483 Ruminant Nutrition 3
    IBIO 313 Animal Behavior 3
    IBIO 341 Fundamental Genetics 4
    IBIO 355 Ecology 3
    IBIO 368 Zoo Animal Biology and Conservation 3
    IBIO 369 Introduction to Zoo and Aquarium Science 3
    Courses used to fulfill this requirement may not be used to fulfill requirement 3. e. above.
    Dairy Industry (38 to 40 credits):
    1. All of the following courses (24 credits): 
    ANS 134 Dairy Production I 3
    ANS 234 Dairy Production II 3
    ANS 334 Dairy Management I 3
    ANS 434 Dairy Management II 3
    AFRE 130 Farm Management I 3
    AFRE 203 Data Analysis for the Agri-Food System 3
    AFRE 430 Farm Management II 3
    ACC 230 Survey of Accounting Concepts 3
    ANS 234 may not be used to fulfill requirement 3.d. above.
    2. Choose a minimum of 8 credits from the following courses:
    ANS 200C Dairy Cattle Genetics and Evaluation 2
    ANS 233 Dairy Feed Management 3
    ANS 235 Dairy Herd Reproduction 2
    ANS 235L Dairy Herd Reproduction Laboratory 2
    ANS 238 Dairy Cattle Health Management 3
    3. Choose a minimum of 6 credits from the following courses:
    AFRE 232 Commodity Marketing I 3
    AFRE 315 Labor and Personnel Management in the Agri-Food System 3
    AFRE 435 Financial  Management in the Agri-Food System 3
    ANS 409 Problems, Controversies, and Advancement in Reproduction (W) 4
    ANS 418 Animal Agriculture and the Environment 3
    ANS 435 Mammary Physiology (W) 3
    ANS 483 Ruminant Nutrition 3
    FSC 432 Food Processing: Dairy Foods 3
    FSC 432 may not be used to fulfill requirement 3.f. above.


 


Graduate Study

The graduate program in animal science is designed to provide students with opportunities to pursue a program that focuses on the basic biomedical and agricultural sciences or on applied management aspects of animal science.

The Department of Animal Science offers Master of Science and Doctoral of Philosophy degree programs in animal science.

Students who are enrolled in Master of Science degree programs in the Department of Animal Science may elect a Specialization in Environmental Toxicology.  For additional information, refer to the statement on the specialization in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog. 


Animal Science - Master of Science

Programs of study are based on the strengths of the department and the goals of individual students. Although individual students' programs vary, all graduate programs in animal science are designed to:

  1. Provide a strong foundation in biological science and an in–depth knowledge of a specific biological discipline of importance to animal agriculture.
  2. Develop creative potential and foster independent thought.
  3. Improve technical skills.
  4. Provide the foundation for effective, independent careers in extension, research, teaching, or agribusiness.

The department offers the following areas of specialization within the field of animal science: quantitative genetics, systems science, nutrition, physiology of growth, lactation and reproduction, microbiology, molecular biology, toxicology, and livestock and farm management.  Research for theses or dissertations may focus on beef or dairy cattle, sheep, swine, horses, poultry, or fur–bearing and laboratory species.  Modern animal, computer, and library facilities support research.

Students who are enrolled in the Master of Science degree program in the Department of Animal Science may elect a Specialization in Environmental Toxicology.  For additional information, refer to the Graduate Specialization in Environmental Toxicology statement.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the student must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted to the master's or doctoral degree program in animal science, students must have a bachelor's degree in animal science or in a related biological science.  To enroll in advanced courses in animal science and supporting sciences, students should have completed courses that establish principles in animal science and in basic physical and biological sciences pertinent to the area of specialization within the field of animal science that the student chooses.  In some cases, students may need to complete collateral courses in addition to the courses that are required for the graduate degree. Applicants will be evaluated for admission based on academic record, research and work experience, professional goals, and letters of reference. All applicants are required to submit scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Animal Science

The student may elect either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis).  A minimum of 30 credits is required for the degree under either Plan A or Plan B. The student's major professor and guidance committee must approve the student's program of study, including thesis research for students under Plan A.

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B

  1. Complete a set of courses related to one of the areas of specialization within the field of animal science, as approved by the major professor and guidance committee.

Additional Requirements for Plan A

  1. Complete 6 to 10 credits in ANS 899 Master's Thesis Research.
  2. Complete a written thesis and present it publicly at a departmental seminar prior to graduation.
  3. Pass a final oral examination in defense of the thesis before the guidance committee that occurs immediately after the public seminar at which the thesis is presented.

Additional Requirements for Plan B

  1. Complete no more than 6 credits in ANS 898 Master's Research.
  2. Complete a project and present it publicly at a departmental seminar prior to graduation.
  3. Pass a final examination or evaluation before the guidance committee that occurs immediately after the public seminar at which the project is presented.



 


Animal Science- Doctor of Philosophy

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Animal Science

In cooperation with the student's major professor, the student plans a program of study that includes courses related to one of the areas of specialization within the field of animal science referenced above, seminars, and teaching experience.  The student's major professor and guidance committee must approve the student's program of study, including dissertation research.