Animal Science Major (B.S.)
https://colsa.unh.edu/agriculture-nutrition-food-systems/program/bs/animal-science-major
Animal Science is the study of the biology and management of animals that enhance human life and well-being. Completion of the Animal Science B.S. is designed to prepare students for a variety of animal-focused careers. The Animal Science B.S. is one of many pathways for admission to veterinary school. Because admission to veterinary school is highly competitive due to the limited number of available spaces and the high standards for admission, students are advised to choose an academic program that deeply interests them. Simply taking the prerequisite courses required by veterinary schools without considering alternate career goals is not advisable.
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
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | ||
| BIOL 411 | Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular | 4 |
| BIOL 412 | Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology | 4 |
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| BIOL 528 | Applied Biostatistics I | 4 |
| BMS 503 & BMS 504 | General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | 5 |
| BMCB 501 | Biological Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| Requirements for All Animal Science Majors | ||
| ANSC 406 | Careers in Animal Science | 1 |
| ANSC 421 | Introduction to Animal Science | 4 |
| ANSC 511 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| ANSC 512 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| ANSC 543 | Technical Writing in Animal Sciences (or equivalent) 2 | 2 |
| ANSC 602 | Animal Rights and Societal Issues | 4 |
| ANSC 609 | Principles of Animal Nutrition | 4 |
| ANSC 612 | Genetics of Animals | 4 |
| ANSC 625 | Animal Diseases | 4 |
| Reproduction Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Physiology of Reproduction | ||
| Physiology of Lactation | ||
| Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Major Electives | ||
| Select 3 electives from the following list. Electives less than 3 credits must be combined to equal 3 credits or more to count as 1 elective. At least 2 electives must be at the 500 level or above. At least 3 elective credits must be fulfilled with courses from the Experiential category. | 12 | |
| Large Animal Behavior and Handling Techniques | ||
| Dairy Selection | ||
| Introduction to Dairy Herd Management | ||
| Introduction to Forage and Grassland Management | ||
| Equipment and Facilities Management | ||
| Financial Accounting | ||
| Introduction to Equine Science | ||
| Explorations in Veterinary Medicine | ||
| Equine Conformation, Movement, and Performance | ||
| Preparation and Competition Techniques for the Modern Sport Horse | ||
| Agricultural Business Management | ||
| Field Experience | ||
| Introduction to Livestock Management | ||
| Poultry Production and Health Management | ||
| Animal Health Applications | ||
| Equine Stable Management | ||
| Dairy Industry Travel Course | ||
| Agricultural & Equine Event Design, Planning and Management | ||
| Exotic Companion Species Health and Management | ||
| Livestock and Wildlife in Namibia: Challenges, Opportunities and Geography | ||
| Supervised Teaching Experience (Course can only be used once for elective credit) | ||
| Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM) (Each semester counts as 1 elective. However, if taken in the senior year >90 credits, 1 semester can count as the capstone and 1 as an elective.) | ||
| Physiology of Reproduction | ||
| Ruminant Nutritional Physiology | ||
| Dairy Nutrition | ||
| Physiology of Lactation | ||
| Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination | ||
| Advanced Dairy Management I | ||
| Advanced Dairy Management II | ||
| Collaborative Farm Design and Development | ||
| Investigations | ||
| Honors Senior Thesis | ||
| Cell Culture | ||
| Pathogenic Microbiology | ||
| Histology: Microscopic Cellular Structure and Function | ||
| Human and Animal Parasites | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Infectious Disease and Health | ||
| Pathologic Basis of Disease | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Virology | ||
| Toxicology | ||
| Experiences in Applied Veterinary Diagnostics | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Environmental and Resource Economics Perspectives | ||
| Agricultural and Food Policy | ||
| Physiology of Fishes | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Urban Agriculture | ||
| Principles of Aquaculture | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Neuroethology | ||
| Experiential Electives | ||
| A total of at least 3 elective credits must be fulfilled with courses in this category. ANSC 795 and 799 projects approved to meet this requirement should include a significant component of hands-on live animal experience | ||
| Large Animal Behavior and Handling Techniques | ||
| Dairy Selection | ||
| Explorations in Veterinary Medicine | ||
| Equine Conformation, Movement, and Performance | ||
| Introduction to Livestock Management | ||
| Poultry Production and Health Management | ||
| Equine Stable Management | ||
| Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM) | ||
| Advanced Dairy Management II | ||
| Investigations | ||
| Honors Senior Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 76 | |
- 1
Students interested in graduate school should take 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry (CHEM 651/CHEM 653 and CHEM 652/CHEM 654) and one semester of General Biochemistry (BMCB 658/BMCB 659) in place of BMCB 501.
- 2
ENGL 501 Introduction to Creative Nonfiction, ENGL 502 Professional and Technical Writing, ENGL 503 Persuasive Writing or ENGL 419 How to Read Anything
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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BMCB 658 & BMCB 659 | General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab | 5 |
| CHEM 651 & CHEM 653 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 652 & CHEM 654 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| MATH 424B | Calculus for Life Sciences | 4 |
| PHYS 401 | Introduction to Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 402 | Introduction to Physics II | 4 |
Students interested in veterinary medicine should consult the pre-veterinary medicine program website.
ANSC Sample Student Schedule by Semester
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ANSC 421 | Introduction to Animal Science | 4 |
| BIOL 411 | Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular | 4 |
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing (WI) or Discovery course (Not SS, FPA, or WC) | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANSC 406 | Careers in Animal Science | 1 |
| BIOL 412 | Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology | 4 |
| CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing (or Discovery course) | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ANSC 511 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| ANSC 612 | Genetics of Animals | 4 |
| Discovery course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANSC 512 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| ANSC 543 | Technical Writing in Animal Sciences (WI) | 2 |
| BIOL 528 | Applied Biostatistics I | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ANSC 625 | Animal Diseases | 4 |
| BMS 503 & BMS 504 | General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | 5 |
| Discovery course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANSC 609 | Principles of Animal Nutrition | 4 |
| BMCB 501 | Biological Chemistry | 4 |
| Discovery course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ANSC Reproduction course or Discovery course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANSC 602 | Animal Rights and Societal Issues (WI) | 4 |
| ANSC Reproduction course or Discovery course | 4 | |
| Capstone course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 130 | |
ANSC Sample Student Schedule by Semester - Pre-Veterinary/Graduate School Intent
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ANSC 421 | Introduction to Animal Science | 4 |
| BIOL 411 | Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular | 4 |
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing (WI) or Discovery course (Not SS, FPA, or WC) | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANSC 406 | Careers in Animal Science | 1 |
| BIOL 412 | Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology | 4 |
| CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| MATH 424B | Calculus for Life Sciences | 4 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing (or Discovery course) | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ANSC 511 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 528 | Applied Biostatistics I | 4 |
| CHEM 651 & CHEM 653 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| Discovery course | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANSC 512 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CHEM 652 & CHEM 654 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| ENGL 501 | Introduction to Creative Nonfiction (WI and FPA DISC) | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ANSC 612 | Genetics of Animals | 4 |
| ANSC 625 | Animal Diseases | 4 |
| BMS 503 & BMS 504 | General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | 5 |
| Discovery course or Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANSC 609 | Principles of Animal Nutrition | 4 |
| BMCB 658 & BMCB 659 | General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab | 5 |
| Discovery course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 401 | Introduction to Physics I | 4 |
| ANSC Repro Course or Discovery course | 4 | |
| Discovery course or Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANSC 602 | Animal Rights and Societal Issues (WI) | 4 |
| PHYS 402 | Introduction to Physics II | 4 |
| ANSC Repro Course or Discovery course | 4 | |
| Capstone | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 133 | |
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.
- 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.