Undergraduate Degree

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, sheep, 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 biology/preveterinary, animal industry, companion and exotic animal industry, dairy industry, or equine industry.

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.

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 equine industry concentration is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers including riding instruction and training; employment in the equine feed and health industry; equine assisted services; entrepreneurship and small business management; and veterinary medicine.

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, 411, 427, 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 (W)						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 (W)						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	300B	Advanced Meat 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	410	Stem Cells in Reproduction and Development					3
   		ANS	411	Neuroendocrine Control of Stress and Physiology (W)					3
   		ANS	413	Non-Ruminant Nutrition					4
   		ANS	416	Animal Growth and Development					3
   		ANS	418	Animal Agriculture and the Environment					3
   		ANS	425	Animal Biotechnology					3
   		ANS	427	Environmental Toxicology and Society (W)					3
   		ANS	435	Mammary Physiology (W)					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					3
   		ANS	410	Stem Cells in Reproduction and Development					3
   		ANS	411	Neuroendocrine Control of Stress and Physiology (W)					3
   		ANS	413	Non-Ruminant Nutrition					4
   		ANS	416	Animal Growth and Development					3
   		ANS	418	Animal Agriculture and the Environment					3
   		ANS	425	Animal Biotechnology					3
   		ANS	427	Environmental Toxicology and Society (W)					3
   		ANS	435	Mammary Physiology (W)					3
   		ANS	445	Equine Exercise Physiology					4
   		ANS	455	Avian Physiology					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
   		MGI	301	Introductory Microbiology					3
   		MGI	302	Introductory Laboratory for General and Allied Health Microbiology					1
   		MGI	409	Eukaryotic Cell Biology					3
   		PHM	450	Introduction to Chemical Toxicology					3
   		PHY	221	Studio Physics for Life Scientists I					4
   		PHY	222	Studio Physics for Life Scientists II					4
   		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 Industry (27 to 30 credits)
   	1.	All of the following courses (12 credits):
   		ANS	482	Advanced Companion Animal Management					3
   		BS	162	Organismal and Population Biology					4
   		BS	172	Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory					2
   		IBIO	328	Comparative Anatomy and Biology of Vertebrates					4
   	2.	Two  of the following courses (6 credits):
   		BMB	401	Comprehensive Biochemistry					4
   		CSUS	473	Social Entrepreneurship and Community Sustainability					3
   		ESHP	170	Business Model Design and Prototyping					3
   		ESHP	190	Introduction to Entrepreneurship					3
   		REL	185	Introduction to Religion and Nonprofits					3
   		REL	285	Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship and Religion					3
   	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	410	Stem Cells in Reproduction and Development					3
   		ANS	411	Neuroendocrine Control of Stress and Physiology (W)					3
   		ANS	413	Non-Ruminant Nutrition					4
   		ANS	416	Animal Growth and Development					3
   		ANS	418	Animal Agriculture and the Environment					3
   		ANS	425	Animal Biotechnology					3
   		ANS	427	Environmental Toxicology and Society (W)					3
   		ANS	435	Mammary Physiology (W)					3
   		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 (37 to 40 credits):
   	1.	All of the following courses (23 credits):
   		ANS	132	Dairy Farm Management Seminar					2
   		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	330	Farm Management II					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	418	Animal Agriculture and the Environment					3
   		ANS	435	Mammary Physiology (W)					3
   		ANS	483	Ruminant Nutrition					3
   		AT	101	Spanish for the Agricultural Industry					2
   		FSC	432	Food Processing: Dairy Foods					3
   		FSC 432 may not be used to fulfill requirement 3.f. above.
   	Equine Industry (27 to 30 credits)
   	1.	All of the following courses (18 credits):
   		ANS	200D	Introduction to Horse Judging					2
   		ANS	225	Horse Behavior, Welfare and Ethics					2
   		ANS	242	Introductory Horse Management					3
   		ANS	340	Equine Business and Entrepreneurship					3
   		ANS	442	Advanced Horse Management					3
   		ANS	443	Equine Nutrition					3
   		ANS	448	Equine Science Seminar					2
   		ANS 242 may be used to fulfill major requirement 3. d. above.
   	2.	One of the following handling courses (2 or 3 credits):
   		ANS	140	Fundamentals of Horsemanship					2
   		ANS	141L	Draft Horse Basics					2
   		ANS	145	Horse Handling					3
   	3.	Choose a learning track (7 to 9 credits):
   		Equine Assisted Services (8 credits):
   		Both of the following courses (5 credits):
   		ANS	249	Methods of Instructing Safe Horsemanship					2
   		ANS	341	Introduction to Equine Assisted Services					3
   		One of the following courses (3 credits):
   		REL	185	Introduction to Religion and Nonprofits					3
   		REL	285	Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship and Religion					3
   		WRA	453	Grant and Proposal Writing					3
   		Equine Business and Allied Industries (9 credits):
   		Both of the following courses (5 credits):
   		ACC	230	Survey of Accounting Concepts					3
   		AFRE	130	Farm Management I					3
   		One of the following courses (3 credits):
   		CSUS	473	Social Entrepreneurship and Community Sustainability					3
   		ESHP	170	Business Model Design and Prototyping					3
   		ESHP	190	Introduction to Entrepreneurship					3
   		Equine Health and Nutrition (7 credits):
   		ANS	347	Equine Health					3
   		ANS	445	Equine Exercise Physiology					4
   		Equine Trainer and Instructor (8 credits):
   		The following course (4 credits):
   		ANS	445	Equine Exercise Physiology					4
   		Two of the following courses (4 credits):
   		ANS	246	Young Horse Handling					2
   		ANS	249	Methods of Instructing Safe Horsemanship					2
   		ANS	346	Starting Horses Under Saddle I					2
   		ANS	446	Starting Horses Under Saddle II					2