Animal Science, B.S.

Program Description

Animal Science is the study and integration of the biology and management of animals, highlighted by the disciplines of nutrition, physiology, reproduction, genetics, and behavior. Animals provide companionship, food, and fiber, as well as serving as valuable research models. The Animal Science major offers both coursework and hands-on experiences that develop students' ability to work with and care for animals.

The educational experiences included in this major should prepare the student for a wide range of positions in production agriculture agribusiness, and related industries, and provide preparation for the pursuit of post-baccalaureate studies leading to professional or advanced degrees. The student is expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of the biological and physical sciences underlying the functioning of all types of animals.

Realizing the wide range of career possibilities requiring diverse types of academic preparation, two options of study are available: the Business and Animal Management Option and the Science Option.

Business and Animal Management Option

The primary objective of this option is to prepare the student for positions in agribusiness organizations and in the animal, food and allied industries. The student may develop a program with species specialization or diversity. The student may develop a foundation in accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and other business-related areas. Graduates seek employment opportunities as:

• management trainees, or assistant managers of animal production units or processing plants, and roles in government agencies;
• animal caretakers at zoos or shelters;
• technical service and sales representatives or quality assurance managers for pharmaceutical, agri-chemical, feed or food producing companies;
• loan officers with financial institutions;
• field representatives for breed organizations or producer cooperatives;
• public relations and human resources personnel for agribusiness companies;
• and management trainees for numerous agribusiness firms.

Science Option

The primary objective of this option is to prepare the student for entry into post-baccalaureate study programs in animal and related biological sciences. Graduates who have obtained the proper qualifications may pursue advanced degrees in a wide variety of disciplines, including animal science, biotechnology, genetics, microbiology, nutrition, physiology, molecular biology, pharmaceutical research, and veterinary medicine. Graduates not desiring to pursue advanced studies seek employment opportunities in biomedical research, as research or quality assurance technicians, technical service representatives for various industrial companies, food inspectors, laboratory animal caretakers, and public relations personnel.

What is Animal Science?

Animal Science focuses on the science and business of producing domestic livestock species, including but not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, swine and companion animals. This discipline applies principles of biological, physical and social sciences to problems associated with production and management of animals. Animal Science also has a strong focus on food with animal origin including meat, milk and eggs.

Animal Scientists work in efficient production of food animals, processing of high-quality meats and dairy products, use of companion animals for recreation, maintenance of animal health and well-being and many other areas. A growing population with limited land provide complex challenges in the area of Animal Science. This discipline requires highly trained professionals who can identify opportunities and provide innovative solutions.

You Might Like this Program If...

• You want a career working with animals
• You want a hands-on, experiential learning curriculum with exposure to multiple domestic species
• Your interests lie in applied biology
• You are interested in efficiently providing safe, nutritious food to a growing world population
• You like both animals and business
• Your interests are in the practical application of science, business, and animals

Entrance to Major

In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:

1. attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
2. have at least third-semester classification.

READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, a minimum of 124 credits is required:

18-24 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 0-3 credits of GA courses; 9 credits of GN courses; 3-6 credits of GS courses; 6 credits of GQ courses.

Requirements for the Major

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)

Courses taken as common requirements can not be used to meet requirements within the option.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
ANSC 100	Introduction to Animal Industries	3
ANSC 290	Careers in Animal Agriculture	1
BIOL 110	Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity	4
BMB 211	Elementary Biochemistry	3
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
ANSC 201	Animal Science	4
ANSC 207	Animal Products Technology	2
ANSC 208	Animal Products Technology Laboratory	1
ANSC 300	Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals	3
ANSC 301	Principles of Animal Nutrition	3
Additional Courses
AGBM 101	Economic Principles of Agribusiness Decision Making	3
or ECON 102	Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy
ANSC 322	Animal Genetics and Selection	3
or BIOL 222	Genetics
CHEM 202	Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry I	3
or CHEM 210	Organic Chemistry I
Select 6-8 credits from the following:		6-8
Select 3-4 credits from the following:
MATH 21	College Algebra with Analytic Geometry with Applications I
MATH 22	College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II
MATH 26	Plane Trigonometry and Applications of Trigonometry
MATH 41	Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry
MATH 110	Techniques of Calculus I
MATH 140	Calculus With Analytic Geometry I
Select 2-4 credits from the following:
CMPSC 101	Introduction to Programming
CMPSC 203	Introduction to Spreadsheets and Databases
MATH 22	College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II
MATH 111	Techniques of Calculus II
MATH 141	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
STAT 200	Elementary Statistics
STAT 250	Introduction to Biostatistics
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 6-8 credits from the following:		6-8
ANSC 305	Companion Animal Nutrition
ANSC 306	Swine Production and Management
ANSC 308	Sheep and Goat Production and Management
ANSC 309	Beef Cattle Production and Management
ANSC 310	Dairy Cattle Production and Management
ANSC 311	Poultry Production and Management
ANSC 315	Small Animal Health and Disease
ANSC 324	Value Determination of Meat Animals
ANSC 327	Horse Production and Management
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 3-5 credits in communication skills courses from department list 1		3-5
Requirements for the Option
Select an option		42-46

¹

Certain courses may double count as general education courses; consult with your adviser.

Requirements for the Option

Business and Management Option (43-45 credits)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
ACCTG 211	Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making	4
Additional Courses
MICRB 106 & MICRB 107	Elementary Microbiology and Elementary Microbiology Laboratory	4-5
or MICRB 201 & MICRB 202	Introductory Microbiology and Introductory Microbiology Laboratory
Select 3 credits from the following:		3
CHEM 101	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 110	Chemical Principles I
CHEM 130	Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry
Select 3 credits from the following:		3
AGBM 102	Economics of the Food System
BA 303	Marketing
MKTG 301	Principles of Marketing
Select 3 credits from the following:		3
AGBM 200	Introduction to Agricultural Business Management
or MGMT 100	Survey of Management
BA 304	Management and Organization
MGMT 301	Basic Management Concepts
Select 3-4 credits from the following:		3-4
ANSC 420	Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology
ANSC 423	Comparative Physiology of Domestic Animals
ANSC 427	Milk Secretion
ANSC 431	Physiology of Animal Reproduction
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 23 credits from department list (at least 9 credits of business, 9 credits of production courses, and 5 credits of either business or production courses) 1		23

¹

12 credits must be 400-level courses; students may apply 6 credits of ROTC

Science Option (42-46 credits)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
ANSC 423	Comparative Physiology of Domestic Animals	3
ANSC 431	Physiology of Animal Reproduction	4
BMB 212	Elementary Biochemistry Laboratory	1
BMB 221	Applied Biochemistry	2
CHEM 110	Chemical Principles I	3
CHEM 111	Experimental Chemistry I	1
CHEM 112	Chemical Principles II	3
CHEM 113	Experimental Chemistry II	1
MICRB 201	Introductory Microbiology	3
MICRB 202	Introductory Microbiology Laboratory	2
PHYS 250	Introductory Physics I	4
Additional Courses
Select 3-5 credits from the following:		3-5
CHEM 203	Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 212 & CHEM 213	Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry
Select 4 credits of the following:		4
BIOL 220W	Biology: Populations and Communities
BIOL 230W	Biology: Molecules and Cells
BIOL 240W	Biology: Function and Development of Organisms
Select 3 credits of the following:		3
AGRO 28	Principles of Crop Management
ANSC 211	Introduction to Avian Biology
ANSC 213	Introduction to Animal Biotechnology
SOILS 101	Introductory Soil Science
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 5-7 credits of 400-level courses from department list 1		5-7

¹

Students may apply 6 credits of ROTC.

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
• Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Arts (GA): 3 credits
• Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
• Humanities (GH): 3 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
• Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

• Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

• GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
• GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

• United States Cultures: 3 credits
• International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Program Learning Objectives

• Animal Agriculture Issues: Actively and effectively discuss complex animal agriculture issues including:
  • The economic, environmental, animal welfare and societal impacts of animal production at both local and global levels.
  • The role of science in informing debates in animal agriculture.
• Scientific Literature and Resources: Locate, critically evaluate, and apply information related to animal science from scientific literature and other resources.
• Communication: Communicate effectively and professionally with a variety of audiences in both written and oral formats.
• Comprehensive Knowledge: Apply comprehensive knowledge from areas in animal science including genetics, reproduction, behavior, nutrition, animal products, husbandry and business/farm management.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Rachel Cloninger
Animal Science Advising Coordinator
109F AVBS Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-4198
rle5000@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2023-24 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contains suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).

Business AND ANIMAL Management Option: Animal Science, B.S. at University Park Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Students must adhere to one of the following course sequences: ECON 102, BA 303, BA 304; or AGBM 101, AGBM 102, AGBM 200.

²

Required to complete one of the following: ANSC 202W, ANSC 217 and 426, or ANSC 421 and 426, or ANSC 226 and 426, or ANSC 424 and 426; ENGL 50, ENGL 210, ENGL 212, ENGL 213, ENGL 215; any world language (level 1-3), SPAN 105 or SPAN 106; CAS 212, 213, 250, 352; AEE 330, AEE 360, AEE 440.  If an ANSC course is selected, it cannot count as a supporting course and fulfill the Communication Skills requirement.

³

Required to complete 23 credits from the department list (at least 9 credits of production courses and 9 credits of business courses from department lists; 12 credits must be at the 400-level).  Courses that fulfill major requirements or the additional production course for the option will not count in this area.  Students interested in meats or livestock judging should enroll in ANSC 324; students interested in horse judging should enroll in ANSC 217; students interested in poultry judging should enroll in ANSC 421.

⁴

Recommended to complete ENGL 202D

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.

Science Option: Animal Science, B.S. at University Park Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Complete MATH 110 or MATH 140 for veterinary school admission

²

CHEM 213 must also be completed along with CHEM 212

³

Recommended to complete ENGL 202C

⁴

PHYS 251 is required for admission to veterinary school

⁵

Required to complete 5-7 credits from the department list.  Courses that fulfill major requirements do not count in this area.

⁶

Required to complete one of the following: ANSC 202W, ANSC 217 and 426, or ANSC 421 and 426, or ANSC 226 and 426or ANSC 424 and 426; ENGL 50, ENGL 210, ENGL 212, ENGL 213, ENGL 215; any world language (level 1-3), SPAN 105 or 106; CAS 212, 213, 250, 352; AEE 330, AEE 360, AEE 440.  If an ANSC course is selected, it cannot count as a supporting course and fulfill the Communication Skills requirement.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.

Business AND ANIMAL Management Option: Animal Science, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Students must adhere to one of the following course sequences: ECON 102, BA 303, BA 304; or AGBM 101, AGBM 102, AGBM 200.

²

Required to complete one of the following: ANSC 202W, ANSC 217 and 426, or ANSC 421 and 426, or ANSC 226 and 426, or ANSC 424 and 426; ENGL 50, ENGL 210, ENGL 212, ENGL 213, ENGL 215; any world language (level 1-3), SPAN 105 or 106; CAS 212, 213, 250, 352; AEE 330, AEE 360, AEE 440.  If an ANSC course is selected, it cannot count as a supporting course and fulfill the Communication Skills requirement.

³

Required to complete 23 credits from the department list (at least 9 credits of production courses and 9 credits of business courses from department lists; 12 credits must be at the 400-level).  Courses that fulfill major requirements or the additional production course for the option will not count in this area.  Students interested in meats or livestock judging should enroll in ANSC 324; students interested in horse judging should enroll in ANSC 217; students interested in poultry judging should enroll in ANSC 421.

⁴

Recommended to complete ENGL 202D

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Science Option: Animal Science, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Complete MATH 110 or MATH 140 for veterinary school admission

²

CHEM 213 must also be completed along with CHEM 212

³

Recommended to complete ENGL 202C

⁴

PHYS 251 is required for admission to veterinary school

⁵

Required to complete 5-7 credits from the department list.  Courses that fulfill major requirements do not count in this area.

⁶

Required to complete one of the following: ANSC 202W, ANSC 217 and 426, or ANSC 421 and 426, or ANSC 226 and 426, or ANSC 424 and 426; ENGL 50, ENGL 210, ENGL 212, ENGL 213, ENGL 215; any world language (level 1-3), SPAN 105 or 106; CAS 212, 213, 250, 352; AEE 330, AEE 360, AEE 440.  If an ANSC course is selected, it cannot count as a supporting course and fulfill the Communication Skills requirement.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Career Paths

Science Option graduates enter careers in biomedical or agricultural research, food safety, technical service, vivarium management, and government service. Business/Management Option graduates find careers in allied industry sales (feed, pharmaceuticals, etc.); agricultural finance and credit; industry relations and communications; farm management; animal caretaking at zoos and shelters; and food safety and quality assurance.

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

• Veterinary or other life science professional school
• Graduate studies in multiple fields of biological and life sciences (genetics, nutrition, reproduction, behavior, physiology, and health)
• Graduate studies in production and management of domestic food animal species
• Graduate studies in food product production and safety
• Graduate studies in linked agricultural fields (agricultural business management, agronomy, agricultural education, etc.)

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
109 AVBS Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-983-3665
AskDAS@psu.edu

https://animalscience.psu.edu/