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Animal Science

Animal Science Major

The Animal Science major encompasses physiology, nutrition, genetics, reproduction, marketing, management, and husbandry of livestock and companion animals; the important scientific understanding for the utilization of animal products; and experiences necessary for leadership in, and advocacy for, industries that provide animals and animal products that benefit humans.

Curriculum Options

Five study options are available for the animal science major.

  • Animal Production, Management and Husbandry: This option is designed for students desiring a background in the principles of animal management and husbandry. It includes broad training in animal husbandry, production and management. Employment opportunities include careers in livestock production, allied support fields, and in technical support fields including agricultural positions within the Cooperative Extension Service.
  • Animal Biomedical Science: This option offers students a more scientific approach to animal science, preparing them for veterinary medicine, graduate research in animal science, teaching, food technology and the biotechnology industry. Students may receive an animal science degree while meeting academic requirements for application to veterinary schools.
  • Animal Agribusiness: This option is designed for students desiring a background in the business and economic principles as they apply to the livestock industry. It leads to broad training in animal husbandry, production, business, and management. Employment opportunities include careers in agribusiness, sales and marketing of livestock and products for the livestock industry, and a variety of public and private institutions which serve the business of animal agriculture.
  • Livestock Media: This option offers students an opportunity to acquire skills in journalism, advertising, and public relations in addition to the fundamentals of animal science. Employment opportunities include working for a variety of media outlets including print and virtual media, TV, radio, magazines, breed associations, or commodity organizations as well as positions involved in public relations in the livestock industry.
  • Meat Science: This option provides the opportunity to emphasize knowledge about the science of muscle biology and evaluation and processing of red meat. This option prepares students for a broad variety of career opportunities in the meat industry including management, sales, meat inspection, and meat marketing.

Animal Science Minor

Students from other majors may minor in Animal Science by completing a minimum of 16 credits. A minimum of eight credits must be completed at NDSU.

Major Requirements

Major: Animal Science

Degree Type: B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 128

General Education Requirements

First Year Experience (F):
AGRI 189Skills for Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take AGRI 189.)1
Communication (C):
ENGL 110College Composition I3
ENGL 120College Composition II3
One Course in Upper Level Writing. Select from the following:3
Business and Professional Writing
Writing in the Technical Professions
Writing in the Sciences
COMM 110Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Quantitative Reasoning (R):
STAT 330Introductory Statistics3
Science & Technology (S):
Select one sequence from the following based on major option:10
For Options 1, 2, 4 and 5:
Concepts of Biology
Chemical Concepts and Applications
   and Chem Concepts and Applications Lab
Genetics
For Option 3:
General Chemistry I
   and General Chemistry I Laboratory
General Chemistry II
Genetics
Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (B):
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics3
Select from current general education list 3
Wellness (W): Select from current general education list2
Cultural Diversity (D): Select from current general education list
Global Perspectives (G):
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics3
Total Credits40

Major Requirements

General Education Requirements40
Required Core Courses for Animal Science
MATH 103College Algebra (or higher level higher (except MATH 104))3
ANSC 114Introduction to Animal Sciences3
Select one of the following (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take AGRI 150/ANSC 150/VETS 150.):1
Agriculture Orientation
Animal Science Orientation
Introduction to the Veterinary Profession
ANSC 2222
ANSC 300Domestic Animal Behavior and Management3
ANSC 323Fundamentals of Nutrition3
ANSC 324Applied Animal Nutrition3
ANSC 463
  & 463L		Physiology of Reproduction
   and Physiology of Reproduction Laboratory		4
ANSC 478Research and Issues in Animal Agriculture3
Select one of the following:3
Equine Industry and Production Systems
Sheep Industry and Production Systems
Swine Production/Pork Industry Systems
Beef Industry and Production Systems
Dairy Industry and Production Systems
Select one of the following:1-5
Individual Study (research experience)
Field Experience (internship experience)
VETS 135Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals3
Options: Select one of the five options listed below.36-41
Students must select one option of interest. The standard option for this major is the Animal Production, Management and Husbandry. Students who wish to declare an option other than the standard option must officially declare that option with the Office of Registration and Records.
Degree Requirements: Potential of a minimum of 11-20 credits to reach 128.20-11
Total Credits128
Option 1: Animal Production, Management, & Husbandry Option - 36-37 Credits
ANSC 370Fundamentals/Animal Disease3
BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab1
PLSC 110World Food Crops3
CHEM 260Elements of Biochemistry4
MICR 202
  & 202L		Introductory Microbiology
   and Introductory Microbiology Lab		3
ANSC 320Dairy Cattle Selection1-2
or ANSC 330 Meat Selection, Grading and Judging
or ANSC 331 Livestock Selection
or ANSC 365 Equine Evaluation
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
ANSC 380Livestock Sales and Marketing2
AGEC 242Introduction to Agricultural Management4
AGEC 244Agricultural Marketing3
PLSC 320Principles of Forage Production3
or RNG 336 Introduction to Range Management
ANSC 340Principles of Meat Science3
ANSC 480Equine Industry and Production Systems3
or ANSC 482 Sheep Industry and Production Systems
or ANSC 484 Swine Production/Pork Industry Systems
or ANSC 486 Beef Industry and Production Systems
or ANSC 488 Dairy Industry and Production Systems
Total Credits36-37
Option 2: Animal Agribusiness Option - 42-43 Credits
BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab1
PLSC 110World Food Crops3
ANSC 320Dairy Cattle Selection1-2
or ANSC 330 Meat Selection, Grading and Judging
or ANSC 331 Livestock Selection
or ANSC 365 Equine Evaluation
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
ANSC 380Livestock Sales and Marketing2
ACCT 102Fundamentals of Accounting3
AGEC 242Introduction to Agricultural Management4
AGEC 244Agricultural Marketing3
AGEC 246Introduction to Agricultural Finance4
AGEC 350Agrisales3
or AGEC 420 Integrated Farm and Ranch Management
ECON 202Principles of Macroeconomics (will fulfill Social/Behavioral Science)3
Animal Agribusiness Electives - 12 Credits (Students may choose from upper level ANSC, AGEC, COMM, ECON, PLSC or RNG)12
Total Credits42-43
Option 3: Biomedical Sciences Option - 40-41 Credits

Pre-Veterinary Medicine option - Students interested in veterinary school should consider this option.   The option meets most veterinary school prerequisites.  Consultation with an adviser is recommended.

CHEM 122LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory1
PHYS 120
  & 120L		Fundamentals of Physics
   and Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory *		4
BIOL 150
  & 150L		General Biology I
   and General Biology I Laboratory		4
BIOL 151
  & 151L		General Biology II
   and General Biology II Laboratory		4
CHEM 240Survey of Organic Chemistry *3
CHEM 260Elements of Biochemistry *4
MICR 350
  & 350L		General Microbiology
   and General Microbiology Lab		5
ANSC 320Dairy Cattle Selection1-2
or ANSC 330 Meat Selection, Grading and Judging
or ANSC 331 Livestock Selection
or ANSC 365 Equine Evaluation
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
or ANSC 455 Animal Biotechnology
ANSC 444Livestock Muscle Physiology3
Biomed Science Electives– 8 Credits (Students may choose from upper level ANSC, BIOC, BIOL, CHEM, MICR, PHYS OR SAFE)8
Total Credits40-41
*

or higher level

Option 4: Livestock Media Option - 39 Credits
BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab1
PLSC 110World Food Crops3
Select one of the following:2
Dairy Cattle Selection
Meat Selection, Grading and Judging
Livestock Selection
Equine Evaluation
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
ANSC 380Livestock Sales and Marketing2
AGEC 242Introduction to Agricultural Management4
AGEC 244Agricultural Marketing3
Complete any minor in the communication area (21 credits) OR complete the following COMM courses:21
Understanding Media and Social Change
Human Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Intercultural Communication
COMM Electives. Select 15 credits of the following:
Introduction to Media Writing
Basic Photography for the Mass Media
Principles of Internet Web-Based Design
Introduction to Web Development
Principles of Broadcast Production
Principles of Design For Print
Principles and Practices of Advertising and Public Relations
Advertising Creative Strategies
Advertising Media Planning
COMM 400-level
Total Credits39
Option 5: Meat Science Option - 39-40 Credits
BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab1
PLSC 110World Food Crops3
CHEM 260Elements of Biochemistry4
MICR 202
  & 202L		Introductory Microbiology
   and Introductory Microbiology Lab		3
ANSC 330Meat Selection, Grading and Judging1-2
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
ANSC 340Principles of Meat Science3
ANSC 344Fundamentals of Meat Processing2
ANSC 444Livestock Muscle Physiology3
AGEC 244Agricultural Marketing3
CFS 210Introduction to Food Science and Technology2
CFS Electives300-400 Level3
Meat Science Electives– 8 Credits (Students may choose from upper level ANSC, BIOC, CFS, CHEM, MICR OR SAFE)8
Total Credits39-40

Degree Requirements and Notes:                                                                                       

  • Students must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for courses that satisfy major requirements.
  • Transfer grades must be ‘C’ or higher to count toward major requirements.

Minor Requirements

Animal Science Minor

Minor Requirements

Required Credits: 16

Required Courses
ANSC 114Introduction to Animal Sciences3
ANSC 223Introduction to Animal Nutrition2
ANSC 220Livestock Production3
ANSC 2222
Elective Courses6
Must include one of the following courses:
Domestic Animal Behavior and Management
Fundamentals of Nutrition
Applied Animal Nutrition
Principles of Meat Science
Fundamentals of Meat Processing
Animal Genetics
Fundamentals/Animal Disease
Livestock Sales and Marketing
Livestock Muscle Physiology
Animal Biotechnology
Physiology of Reproduction
Principles of Mixed Feed Technology, Production and Management
Growing and Finishing Cattle Management
Remaining credits may come from those listed above or the following courses:
Dairy Cattle Selection
Meat Selection, Grading and Judging
Livestock Selection
Total Credits16

Minor Requirements and Notes:                                                                   

  • A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.
  • Students must earn a minimum 2.00 GPA for the minor requirements.