The Majors

Two majors are available within the department. The B.S. in Animal Science major is split into Animal Management, Animal Biotechnology and Research, and Equine Science 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. in Animal Science is an unrestricted major. Students choose the Animal Management, or Biotechnology and Research, or Equine Science 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:

Animal Science 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
• Integrated Experience 494GI - Good Intentions or 494PI - Advanced Animal Health & Management

Extra-departmental courses:

• *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 or RESEC 212
• MICROBIO 310 General Microbiology
• BIOCHEM 420 Elementary Biochemistry

Additional Animal Science Major - Animal Management Concentration/Subplan requirements

• ANIMLSCI 320 Animal Business Management
• ANIMLSCI 332 Basic Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• ANIMLSCI 372 Animal Diseases
• ANIMLSCI 392A Careers Seminar
• ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction

Complete ONE Laboratory Course

• ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
• ANIMLSCI 385 Introductory Biotechnology Lab
• ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology
• BIOCHEM 421 Elementary Biochemistry Lab

Complete 8 credits from the list below:

• ANIMLSCI 231 Dorset Sheep Management I
• ANIMLSCI 251 Dorset Sheep Management II
• ANIMLSCI 232 Belted Galloway Management I
• ANIMLSCI 252 Belted Galloway Management II
• ANIMLSCI 233 Boer Goat Management I
• ANIMLSCI 253 Boer Goat Management II
• ANIMLSCI 234 Poultry Management I
• ANIMLSCI 254 Poultry Management II
• ANIMLSCI 236 Equine Management I
• ANIMLSCI 256 Equine Management II
• ANIMLSCI 297DC Dairy Calf Management I
• ANIMLSCI 297D Dairy Calf Management II
• ANIMLSCI 298V Techniques in Veterinary Nursing
• ANIMLSCI 455 Research Animal Management I
• ANIMLSCI 456 Research Animal Management II

Complete 3 credits from the list below:

• ANIMLSCI 432   Advanced Nutrition
• ANIMLSCI 445A Equine Reproduction Lab
• ANIMLSCI 373   Equine Diseases
• ANIMLSCI 454   Dairy Herd Management
• ANIMLSCI 297L  Livestock Classic
• ANIMLSCI 297P  Livestock Classic  Management & Coaching
• ANIMLSCI 297B  Artificial Insemination
• ANIMLSCI 497L  Winter Travelling Dairy
• ANIMLSCI 296T  Intro to Teaching in Animal Science
• ANIMLSCI 396T  Intermediate Teaching in Animal Science
• ANIMLSCI 496T  Advanced Teaching in Animal Science
• ANIMLSCI 291C  Biotech Research – Cellular and Molecular I
• ANIMLSCI 391C  Biotech Research – Cellular and Molecular II
• ANIMLSCI 491C  Biotech Research – Cellular and Molecular III
• ANIMLSCI 291M  Biotech Research – AnimaI Models I
• ANIMLSCI 391M  Biotech Research – AnimaI Models II
• ANIMLSCI 491M  Biotech Research – AnimaI Models III

Additional Animal Science Major - Animal  Biotechnology and Research Concentration/Subplan requirements

• ANIMLSCI 332 Basic Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
• ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology
• ANIMLSCI 372 Animal Diseases
• ANIMLSCI 392A Careers Seminar
• ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction
• ANIMLSCI 455 Research Animal Management  I
• ANIMLSCI 456  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 Animal Science Major - Equine Science Concentration/Subplan requirements

• ANIMLSCI 236 Equine Management I
• ANIMLSCI 256 Equine Management II
• ANIMLSCI 301 Equine Learning and Behavior
• ANIMLSCI 302 Development and Training of the Horse
• ANIMLSCI 320 Animal Business Management
• ANIMLSCI 333 Equine Nutrition and the Microbiome
• ANIMLSCI 373 Equine Diseases
• ANIMLSCI 392A Careers Seminar
• ANIMLSCI 401 Management of the Equine Athlete
• ANIMLSCI 402 Equine Rehabilitation
• ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction
• ANIMLSCI 445A Equine Reproduction Lab

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 366 Veterinary Microbiology
• ANIMLSCI 572 Infection and Immunity
• ANIMLSCI 521 Physiology of Reproduction

Animal Management 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. 

Equine Science Concentration

The Equine Science concentration is designed for students interested in working in the equine business, nutrition and health fields. Horses require skillful management, knowledgeable trainers, specialized facilities, and appropriate nutritional programs. Those who enjoy horses can establish a satisfying career in this diverse and popular industry that involves agriculture, business, and recreation. Students gain experience and build professional contacts through internships, career seminars, and industry association events. Related opportunities exist in areas such as tack and equipment sales, horse feed and supplement consulting, alternative medicine, equine journalism and photography, and equine-assisted therapies. According to a 2016 study commissioned by the Massachusetts Farm Bureau, there are approximately 26,000 horses on 2,300 farms in Massachusetts, resulting in related career opportunities.