Program Overview

Overview of the Animal Sciences Program

The Animal Sciences program at Oregon State University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the biology, behavior, and management of domesticated animals. This online bachelor's degree program focuses on the practical aspects of animal science, preparing students for careers in agribusiness, animal care management, farming, and more.

Program Details

• The program requires a minimum of 180 quarter credits, with at least 36 credits being upper-division.
• Students must complete OSU's Core Education and major requirements in animal sciences.
• The curriculum is carefully sequenced to help students build knowledge over time, culminating in upper-division work that prepares them for real-world applications.
• The program offers flexibility through online learning and includes virtual field trips and industry video demonstrations to replicate hands-on experiences.

Skills and Knowledge Acquired

Students in the Animal Sciences program will gain skills in:

• Animal nutrition
• Reproductive physiology
• Animal genetics
• Livestock production
• Companion animal care
• Animal behavior analysis
• Animal products quality assurance

Careers and Job Market Outlook

Graduates of the Animal Sciences program can pursue careers as:

• Animal shelter manager
• Livestock production manager
• Research laboratory technician The job market outlook for these careers is promising, with opportunities for advancement and professional growth.

Additional Program Features

• Internship: Students can apply up to 3 elective credits from an internship to their degree.
• Note to Students Pursuing a Career in Veterinary Medicine: This degree is not a direct pipeline to veterinary school; additional prerequisite courses are required for veterinary school.
• Transfer Credits: Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions, with a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits needing to be completed at Oregon State.
• Honors Degree: Students can apply to earn an honors degree online alongside their academic major.
• Certificates and Microcredentials: Oregon State offers various certificates and microcredentials that can be completed online to gain specialized skills.

Related Programs

Related programs offered by Oregon State University include:

• Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences (B.S.)
• Rangeland Sciences (B.S.)
• Zoology (B.S.)

These programs share similarities with the Animal Sciences program but focus on different aspects of animal and environmental sciences.