The Majors

Two majors are available within the department. The B.S. in Animal Science major is split into Animal Management and Animal Biotechnology and Research concentrations in order to provide a more comprehensive background for careers in these fields. The B.S. in Pre-Veterinary Science major is designed specifically for students interested in postgraduate studies in the sciences including entrance into veterinary, medical, master's and doctoral research programs.

Admission to majors

The B.S.-Animal Science major is an open major. Students choose the Animal Management or Biotechnology Concentration when they enter.  Students completing predictor courses (indicated immediately below with an asterisk) with a weighted average of B- or better are eligible to enter the Pre-Veterinary Science major.

Students interested in transferring to the program or obtaining a second bachelor’s degree in Animal Science should contact the department’s Undergraduate Program Director.

Requirements for all Animal Science students include the following ANIMLSCI and extra-departmental courses:

101 Introductory Animal Science
*103 Introductory Animal Management
*200 Animal Cell and Molecular Biology
*220 Anatomy and Physiology
260 Animal Care and Welfare
311 Animal Genetics and Breeding
332 Basic Animal Nutrition and Feeding
494GI Integrated Experience: Good Intentions

*BIOLOGY 151/152/153 Introductory Biology
*CHEM 111/112 General Chemistry
*CHEM 261 or CHEM 250 Organic Chemistry
NATSCI 387 CNS Junior Writing Course
STATS 111 or STATS 240 Introductory Statistics
MICROBIO 310 General Microbiology
BIOCHEM 420 Elementary Biochemistry

Additional Animal Science Major - Animal Management Concentration requirements:
ANIMLSCI 392A Careers Seminar
ANIMLSCI 390C Animal Business Management
ANIMLSCI 372 Animal Diseases
ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction
Species Group IA: choose ANIMLSCI 231, 232, 233, 234 or 297DC
Species Group IIA - continue ANIMLSCI 251, 252, 253, 254 or 297D
Choose One: ANIMLSCI 455 - Research Animal Management I or Species Group IB: choose ANIMLSCI 231, 232, 233, 234 or 297DC
Choose One: ANIMLSCI 490R - Research Animal Management II or Species Group IIB: choose ANIMLSCI 251, 252, 253, 254 or 297D
Choose Two:
           ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
           ANIMLSCI 385 Introductory Biotechnology Lab
           ANIMLSCI 390A Veterinary Microbiology
           BIOCHEM 421 Elementary Biochemistry Lab
Choose Two:
           ANIMLSCI 390L Advanced Animal Health & Management
           ANIMLSCI 454 Dairy Herd Management
           ANIMLSCI 497A Equine Diseases AND ANIMLSCI 445A Equine Repro Lab
           ANIMLSCI 297L AND 297P Livestock Classic
           *ANIMLSCI 432 Advanced Animal Nutrition may be substituted for one of the above

Additional Animal Science Major - Animal  Biotechnology and Research Concentration requirements
ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
ANIMLSCI 372 Animal Diseases
ANIMLSCI 390A Veterinary Microbiology
ANIMLSCI 392A Careers Seminar
ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction
ANIMLSCI 445A Equine Reproduction Lab
ANIMLSCI 455 Research Animal Management  I
ANIMLSCI 490R  Research Animal Management II
6 credits of Biotechnology Research or 2 credits of Biotechnology Research and ANIMLSCI 385 Introductory Biotechnology Lab
291C Biotech Research - Cellular and Molecular I, 291M Biotech Research - Animal Models I,
391C Biotech Research - Cellular and Molecular II, 391M Biotech Research - Animal Models II,
491C Biotech Research - Cellular and Molecular III, 491M Biotech Research - Animal Models III

Additional Pre-Veterinary Major requirements:
*CHEM 261 - Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 262/269 - Organic Chemistry II with Lab
*MATH 127 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I
PHYSICS 131/132 Introductory Physics I,II with Lab
ANIMLSCI 390A Veterinary Microbiology
ANIMLSCI 572 Infection and Immunity
ANIMLSCI 521 Physiology of Reproduction

Animal Managment Concentration

Students who choose to follow a career in Animal Management will have a well-structured and strong curriculum that can make them highly competitive in the market place, preparing them for both large-scale and small-scale farming of domestic animals, that is, “backyard to industrial”. The ‘buy local’ movement is expected to increase available jobs in New England for those schooled in this field. The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences offers a series of courses that formalize the curriculum and accessory courses are taken in ancillary departments to provide expertise in non-domesticated animal management (wildlife, zoo, exotics) or for a career in teaching agriculture. Students have access to a number of animal species at our associated farms on which to learn management skills, including: Belted Galloway cattle, Boer meat goats, Dorset sheep, and poultry. The Department also partners with a local dairy farm where students care for the dairy calves and learn management skills.  The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences emphasizes animal ethics of food animal production as well as the impact of farming techniques on the environment.

Animal Biotechnology and Research Concentration

Students interested in laboratory or research careers in the fields of veterinary and human health or biotechnology should choose the Animal Biotechnology and Research concentration. Biotechnologists explore and develop new technologies in molecular biology, molecular genetics, embryo manipulation and cell and tissue culture. We encourage students to pursue their research interests and develop deductive reasoning skills in our laboratories, working with diverse animal species.  Off campus, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Internship Challenge offers paid internships that have allowed our students to gain invaluable experience in biotechnology companies. (http://www.masslifesciences.com/programs/internship/ ) Animals contribute to human health through companionship, as models for human and animal diseases, as well as a source of food and fiber.  There is a need for graduates who are familiar with animals to serve as lab technicians in the laboratories of both public and private research institutions. 

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