Program Overview

Animal Science Major (B.S.)

The Animal Science major is designed to prepare students for a variety of animal-focused careers. Students in this major can work with a wide range of animal species, from dairy cattle to chickens to small animals, and gain a scientific understanding of animals while exploring many career options in animal management.

Description

Animal Science is the study of the biology and management of animals that enhance human life and well-being. The Animal Science B.S. is one of many pathways for admission to veterinary school. However, admission to veterinary school is highly competitive, and students are advised to choose an academic program that deeply interests them.

Degree Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
• Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
• Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral
• Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
• Foreign Language Requirement: No

Major Requirements

Students will be required to earn a C- or better in all required courses for the animal science major to receive credit toward graduation. Students failing to do this will need to retake the course in order to receive credit.

Course List

• Foundation Courses:
  • BIOL 411: Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular (4 credits)
  • BIOL 412: Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology (4 credits)
  • CHEM 403: General Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 404: General Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • BIOL 528: Applied Biostatistics I (4 credits)
  • BMS 503 & BMS 504: General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory (5 credits)
  • BMCB 501: Biological Chemistry 1 (4 credits)
• Requirements for All Animal Science Majors:
  • ANSC 406: Careers in Animal Science (1 credit)
  • ANSC 421: Introduction to Animal Science (4 credits)
  • ANSC 511: Animal Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
  • ANSC 512: Animal Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
  • ANSC 543: Technical Writing in Animal Sciences (or equivalent) (2 credits)
  • ANSC 602: Animal Rights and Societal Issues (4 credits)
  • ANSC 609: Principles of Animal Nutrition (4 credits)
  • ANSC 612: Genetics of Animals (4 credits)
  • ANSC 625: Animal Diseases (4 credits)
• Reproduction Course: Select one of the following (4 credits)
  • ANSC 701: Physiology of Reproduction
  • ANSC 715: Physiology of Lactation
  • ANSC 724: Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination
  • BMS 702: Endocrinology
• Major Electives: Select 3 electives from the list (12 credits)

Elective List

• AAS 421: Large Animal Behavior and Handling Techniques
• AAS 423: Dairy Selection
• AAS 425: Introduction to Dairy Herd Management
• AAS 432: Introduction to Forage and Grassland Management
• AAS 434: Equipment and Facilities Management
• ADMN 502: Financial Accounting
• ANSC 427: Introduction to Equine Science
• ANSC 515: Explorations in Veterinary Medicine
• ANSC 526: Equine Conformation, Movement, and Performance
• ANSC 536: Preparation and Competition Techniques for the Modern Sport Horse
• ANSC 548: Agricultural Business Management
• ANSC 600: Field Experience
• ANSC 603: Introduction to Livestock Management
• ANSC 605: Poultry Production and Health Management
• ANSC 627: Animal Health Applications
• ANSC 647: Equine Stable Management
• ANSC 650: Dairy Industry Travel Course
• ANSC 665: Agricultural & Equine Event Design, Planning and Management
• ANSC 670: Exotic Companion Species Health and Management
• ANSC 690: Livestock and Wildlife in Namibia: Challenges, Opportunities and Geography
• ANSC 695: Supervised Teaching Experience
• ANSC 698: Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM)
• ANSC 701: Physiology of Reproduction
• ANSC 708:
• ANSC 710: Dairy Nutrition
• ANSC 715: Physiology of Lactation
• ANSC 724: Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination
• ANSC 727: Advanced Dairy Management I
• ANSC 728: Advanced Dairy Management II
• ANSC 750: Collaborative Farm Design and Development
• ANSC 795: Investigations
• ANSC 799: Honors Senior Thesis
• BMCB 753: Cell Culture
• BMS 602: Pathogenic Microbiology
• BMS 623: Histology: Microscopic Cellular Structure and Function
• BMS 655: Human and Animal Parasites
• BMS 702: Endocrinology
• BMS 703: Infectious Disease and Health
• BMS 704: Pathologic Basis of Disease
• BMS 705: Immunology
• BMS 706: Virology
• BMS 711:
• BMS 712: Experiences in Applied Veterinary Diagnostics
• BMS 718: Mammalian Physiology
• CMN 500: Public Speaking
• EREC 411:
• EREC 680:
• MEFB 773: Physiology of Fishes
• MGT 535: Organizational Behavior
• SAFS 632:
• ZOOL 610: Principles of Aquaculture
• ZOOL 613W: Animal Behavior
• ZOOL 777W: Neuroethology

Experiential Electives

A total of at least 3 elective credits must be fulfilled with courses in this category.

• AAS 421: Large Animal Behavior and Handling Techniques
• AAS 423: Dairy Selection
• ANSC 515: Explorations in Veterinary Medicine
• ANSC 526: Equine Conformation, Movement, and Performance
• ANSC 603: Introduction to Livestock Management
• ANSC 605: Poultry Production and Health Management
• ANSC 647: Equine Stable Management
• ANSC 698: Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM)
• ANSC 728: Advanced Dairy Management II
• ANSC 795: Investigations
• ANSC 799: Honors Senior Thesis

Capstone Experience

The capstone requirement must be completed during the senior year and may be satisfied through completion of ANSC 698 Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM), ANSC 728 Advanced Dairy Management II, ANSC 750 Collaborative Farm Design and Development, or the ANSC 797 Equine Capstone Experience. An ANSC 799 Honors Senior Thesis, which typically includes mentored research and some form of experiential learning, can also fulfill the capstone requirement.

Requirements for Students Interested in Graduate/Veterinary School

• BMCB 658 & BMCB 659: General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab (5 credits)
• CHEM 651 & CHEM 653: Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory (5 credits)
• CHEM 652 & CHEM 654: Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory (5 credits)
• MATH 424B: Calculus for Life Sciences (4 credits)
• PHYS 401: Introduction to Physics I (4 credits)
• PHYS 402: Introduction to Physics II (4 credits)

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

First Year

• Fall:
  • ANSC 421: Introduction to Animal Science (4 credits)
  • BIOL 411: Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular (4 credits)
  • CHEM 403: General Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • ENGL 401: First-Year Writing (WI) or Discovery course (Not SS, FPA, or WC) (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • ANSC 406: Careers in Animal Science (1 credit)
  • BIOL 412: Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology (4 credits)
  • CHEM 404: General Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • ENGL 401: First-Year Writing (or Discovery course) (4 credits)
  • Elective (4 credits)

Second Year

• Fall:
  • ANSC 511: Animal Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
  • ANSC 612: Genetics of Animals (4 credits)
  • Discovery course (4 credits)
  • Elective (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • ANSC 512: Animal Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
  • ANSC 543: Technical Writing in Animal Sciences (WI) (2 credits)
  • BIOL 528: Applied Biostatistics I (4 credits)
  • Discovery Course (4 credits)
  • Elective (2 credits)

Third Year

• Fall:
  • ANSC 625: Animal Diseases (4 credits)
  • BMS 503 & BMS 504: General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory (5 credits)
  • Discovery course (4 credits)
  • Elective (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • ANSC 609: Principles of Animal Nutrition (4 credits)
  • BMCB 501: Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
  • Discovery course (4 credits)
  • Elective (4 credits)

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • ANSC Reproduction course or Discovery course (4 credits)
  • Elective (4 credits)
  • Elective (4 credits)
  • Elective (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • ANSC 602: Animal Rights and Societal Issues (WI) (4 credits)
  • ANSC Reproduction course or Discovery course (4 credits)
  • Capstone course (4 credits)
  • Elective (4 credits)

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will gain a fundamental knowledge of the animal science related disciplines of:

Anatomy & Physiology

• Students will be able to recognize the complimentary relationship of anatomic structure and function and accurately describe the basic physiologic processes of mammalian organ systems.

Nutrition

• Students will be able to identify, compare, contrast, and link different concepts regarding animal feeding and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and protein in major livestock species and equine.

Genetics

• Students will understand basic principles and applications of inheritance, the difference between qualitative and quantitative genetics, and be able to discuss the various disciplines within genetics.

Disease

• Students will understand the modes of transmission of infectious diseases, recognize signs of illness associated with notable diseases in livestock species, and be able to appropriately apply general concepts of disease prevention and biosecurity to a variety of management situations.

Reproduction

• Students will comprehend the mechanisms and endocrine control of gametogenesis, fertilization, pregnancy, and lactation and understand the variety of factors that can influence reproductive success.

Animal Ethics

• Students will recognize the numerous ways that humans use, benefit from, and conflict with non-human animals and have an awareness of the variety of motivations and influences that drive these relationships.

Critical Analysis & Communication

• Students will be able to develop critical questions that facilitate their independent investigation of topics related to animal science and demonstrate an integration of discipline-specific knowledge through engaging in experiential education opportunities.
• Students will be able to conduct literature searches using relevant databases to critically evaluate both academic and popular press resources pertinent to the animal sciences.
• Students will be able to construct well-supported, effectively organized written arguments to express informed perspectives on animal science related topics. These writings will demonstrate professional style, appropriate mechanics (grammar, punctuation, and spelling), and the correct use of citations.