Animal Sciences Major

Notice of Addendum: The description, learning outcomes, and requirements for this program were updated effective Spring 2024 and have been published on ADDENDA TO THIS CATALOG.

Program Director: ansc-undergrad-prog@umd.edu

The Department of Animal and Avian Sciences provides a challenging program for academically talented students interested in the application of biology and technology to the care, management and study of domestic and aquatic animals.  In addition to emphasizing the traditional farm species of dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine and poultry, our program includes options for courses in equine science, animal biotechnology, and sciences which prepare students for veterinary or graduate school.  Animal sciences majors explore a wide range of subjects - from fundamental biology to animal nutrition, physiology and genetics - while integrating science and economics into animal management. Courses offered by this department may be found under the following acronym: ANSC

Our department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees.  Roughly one-third of our animal sciences seniors enter veterinary school, while others go on to graduate school.  Our graduates also pursue a variety of careers such as research technicians, sales or marketing representatives, or animal producers.

Admission to the Major

The Animal Science curriculum for all options is a rigorous and science-based programs. Students receive a solid foundation in basic biological sciences and ANSC courses are largely taught on a comparative basis, where students can then apply the knowledge they gain to a variety of species and situations.

Program Objectives

The Department of Animal and Avian Sciences was formed in 1997 through the merger of the Animal Science, Dairy Science and Poultry Science Departments. Animal science is the study of domesticated animals used for food, fiber, work, biomedical research, and leisure. Our department fulfills a tripartite mission of research, teaching, and extension.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the ANSC undergraduate program will be able to:

1. Articulate the basic housing, husbandry, dietary, and behavioral needs of the common domestic species.
2. Safely handle horses, sheep, cows, pigs, and chickens.
3. Select, understand, and critically evaluate scientific studies in animal sciences disciplines.
4. Apply animal science knowledge to the creation of animal management programs (husbandry, health, reproduction, nutrition, etc).

Notice of Addendum: The requirements for this program were updated effective Spring 2024 and have been published on ADDENDA TO THIS CATALOG.

Animal Sciences prepares students for veterinary school, graduate school, and careers in research, sales and marketing, biotechnology, aquaculture, and animal production. The curricula apply the principles of biology and technology to the care, management, and study of dairy and beef cattle, horses, fish, sheep, swine, and poultry.  Students complete the Animal Sciences core courses and choose between two broad tracks:  Animal Care and Management, for students interested in going directly into a career, or Sciences/Professional Option to prepare for admission to graduate, veterinary, pharmacy, nursing or medical school.  Students can customize their program based on their area of interest (emphasis area) by selecting courses from that area to fulfill major requirements.

Students pursuing the major should review the academic benchmarks established for this program. See www.4yearplans.umd.edu or visit the ANSC Program Requirements website. Students will be periodically reviewed to insure they are meeting benchmarks and progressing to the degree. Students who fall behind program benchmarks are subject to special advising requirements and other interventions.  

Please note: there is a $50 per course fee for Animal Science Laboratory courses.

All undergraduates majoring in Animal Sciences must complete the following course requirements:   

Specializations:

Animal Care and Management

Science/Professional & Combined Ag-Veterinary Medicine

*A complete listing of all currently approved Management and Advanced ANSC Elective courses is available from our ANSC Course Listing page.

Other Requirements for the Major

Animal sciences majors select one of two options to guide their coursework. Program requirements for all options are available on our website, along with a list of all ANSC courses and when they are offered.

Animal Care & Management (0104A) - Is designed for students whose career plans include animal management, production and the marketing of animal products.  The curriculum provides basic courses in genetics, nutrition, physiology and reproduction while allowing students to focus on the management of one particular livestock species.  You will be encouraged to supplement academic work with practical experience by completing an internship.  Dairy science students, for example, intern at local farms where they participate in decisions about breeding, feeding, health practices, milk production and other aspects of herd management.  This option will prepare you for ownership or management positions with dairy, livestock or poultry production enterprises; positions with marketing and processing organizations; breed associations; and positions in agribusiness fields such as sales of feed, pharmaceutical products and agricultural equipment.  Graduates also work with state and federal agencies.

Science/Professional (0104E) - Prepares students for admission to veterinary or medical schools and/or graduate school.  Graduate school study can open the door to an exciting research career in specialty areas of animal or biological sciences such as genetics, nutrition, physiology or cell biology.  The curriculum emphasizes advanced courses in the biological and physical sciences and includes all the pre-veterinary and pre-medicine requirements.

Combined Ag & Vet Sci (1299D) - A combined degree program is available to students who gain admission to veterinary school prior to completing their bachelor's degree.  College of Agriculture and Natural Resources students who have completed at least ninety hours, including all college and university requirements, are awarded a bachelor of science degree upon successful completion of at least thirty semester hours in an accredited college of veterinary medicine.  Early planning with your advisor is encouraged if you choose this option.

Minimum Grade Policy:

ANSC has a minimum grade policy which states that ANSC students must earn a “C-“ or better in all major required courses, including ANSC courses and required supporting courses in other departments. Students must also have both a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 and a 2.0 cumulative GPA in all major requirements in order to graduate. More information on this policy is available on the ANSC Minimum Grade Policy page.

Click here for roadmaps for four-year plans in the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources.

Additional information on developing a four-year academic plan can be found on the following pages:

• http://4yearplans.umd.edu
• the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog