Bachelor of Science Degree

Animal Science

Four specializations have been developed to meet the needs of students desiring to acquire a strong foundation of science courses as they pursue their goal of working in a scientific field. Depending upon the students' career goal they may specialize in pre-veterinary medicine, biotechnology, animal behavior/well-being, or animal biosciences. Each of the specializations has a similar core of basic science and animal science course requirements, but it allows a student to concentrate in a particular area of interest through an elective block.

Advisor Contact Information

Plan of Study

Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 130

Animal Behavior/Well-Being Specialization

Students desiring a balance of animal production, behavioral sciences, and well-being are best served by this specialization. Careers are available as managers of animal production units (e.g., beef cow-calf or feed lot manager, flock supervisor, swine manager, or horse trainer and breeder). Limited career opportunities may be available as an animal trainer, zoo environmental enhancement specialist, companion animal consultant, breed association animal well-being specialist, or pet safety education specialist for a humane society. Students interested in advanced studies could become animal behavior consultants or scientists at universities.

Animal Biosciences Specialization

This specialization is intended for students seeking careers in research or technical services related to animal nutrition, growth and development, animal genetics, reproduction, animal well-being, and management.  Those in this specialization should have a strong interest in and curiosity in discovery and have enjoyed their high school biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses.  Students who aspire to careers in research and teaching in colleges and universities or in agribusinesses should enroll in this option.  It can also be used as excellent preparation for professional careers such as human medical doctors, veterinarians, dentists, and employment in the nutrition, genomics, and pharmaceutical industries.  Graduates continuing for the M.S. or Ph.D. in animal science qualify for numerous research, teaching, or extension positions in industry, government, universities, and colleges.

Biotechnology Specialization

This specialization is intended for students seeking careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, or interested in pursuing advanced degrees in the fields of molecular and cell biology or biochemistry. Those in the specialization should have a strong interest in cell or molecular biology and biochemistry and the desire to apply this interest towards the improvement of animal production, health, and well-being. A degree in animal biotechnology will prepare the student for a research-oriented career working on problems as diverse as the development of novel antibiotics to protect animals and humans from disease and to use the gene splicing techniques to improve the growth characteristics and the health of animals. Students successfully completing this program are sought especially by biotechnological industries currently offering unprecedented opportunities. Graduates continuing for the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in animal science qualify for numerous research, teaching, or extension positions in industry, government, universities, and colleges.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Specialization

This curriculum includes all courses that are required for admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor's of Science degree in Animal Sciences. Students are prepared to apply to the School of Veterinary Medicine during their third year and, if accepted, can earn a degree in Animal Sciences by completing six appropriate Department of Animal Sciences courses and the first year of veterinary school. Admission requirements for other veterinary medicine schools may differ slightly. Students will also be prepared for other scientific careers in animal industries including animal genetics and molecular biology, nutrition, physiology, and behavior and can apply to medical or dental schools, or M.S. or Ph.D graduate degree programs.

3+1 Degree Program

It is possible to earn a Bachelor of Science degree with an Animal Science or Interdisciplinary Agriculture major and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree in seven years. This combined 3+1 program includes three years of preprofessional courses in the College of Agriculture and four years in the D.V.M. program. The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded when the student has successfully completed all first-year curricular requirements at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. To qualify for the Bachelor of Science degree under the provisions of the 3+1 program, at least 100 preprofessional credits must be earned and specified course requirements must be fulfilled in either the Animal Science, or Interdisciplinary Agriculture major. Contact an academic advisor in these programs for specific requirements.

 Revised November 18, 2008

Purdue Agriculture Academic Programs
1140 Ag Admin Building, Room 7
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1140

Phone: (765) 494-8481
Fax: (765) 494-8469
E-mail: goecker@purdue.edu