Animal Science, Minor

Program Description

The Animal Science minor is designed for students who wish to supplement their academic major with studies in animal science. Students are required to complete a minimum of 23 credits, at least 6 of which must be at the 400 level. A grade of C or better must be obtained in each course in order to complete the minor. 

The core of prescribed courses develops a foundation in the various basic disciplines of animal science. Additional courses may be selected by the student to emphasize the production/management of beef cattle, companion animals, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, or swine or to emphasize genetics, nutrition, or physiology.

What is Animal Science?

The animal science minor allows students from other majors to be trained in the core biological sciences associated with production and management of animals (nutrition and physiology, for example). Upper level courses allow students to focus on specific species and animal science disciplines.

A growing world population in the face of a limited land base creates complex challenges in animal agriculture’s relationship with other agricultural disciplines. Pairing an Animal Science minor with another agricultural major allows students to bring interdisciplinary training to the workplace or laboratory bench.

You Might Like This Program If...

• Your career goals include a part-time animal agricultural enterprise.
• You wish to combine your academic major with knowledge of animal biology and management.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

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

Robert Mikesell
Minor Coordinator
345 Agricultural Sciences & Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-2987
rem9@psu.edu

Career Paths

Employers value students who can integrate several fields of study. An Animal Science Minor can supplement various other majors by providing a solid background in the science and management of animals, and could be useful in landing positions in government service, allied animal industry sales (feed, pharmaceuticals, etc.), agricultural finance and credit, industry relations and communications, farm management, and food safety and quality assurance.

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Graduate studies have the opportunity to integrate animal science with another subject area. Examples include, but are not limited to, Agronomy, Food Science, and Agricultural Business Management.

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
335 Agricultural Sciences & Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-983-3665
AskDAS@psu.edu

https://animalscience.psu.edu