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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
Upper-Level Writing. Select from current general education list3
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 and 5:
Chemical Concepts and Applications
General Chemistry I
Chem Concepts and Applications Lab
General Chemistry I Laboratory
Introductory Microbiology
and Introductory Microbiology Lab
Genetics
For Options 2 and 4:
Concepts of Biology (BIOL 111L is also required. BIOL 150 may be substituted but is not a general education science and technology course.)
Chemical Concepts and Applications
General Chemistry I
Chem Concepts and Applications Lab
General Chemistry I Laboratory
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; except MATH 104)3
ANSC 114Introduction to Animal Sciences3
VETS 135Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals3
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 240Meat Animal Evaluation and Marketing3
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
Select one of the following:1
Undergraduate Research (research experience)
Field Experience (internship experience)
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
Options: Select one of the five options listed below.35-41
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 14-20 credits to reach 128.20-14
Total Credits128
Option 1: Animal Production, Management, & Husbandry Option - 36 Credits
BIOL 111Concepts of Biology3
or BIOL 150 General Biology I
BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab1
or BIOL 150L General Biology I Laboratory
PLSC 110World Food Crops3
AGEC 242Introduction to Agricultural Management3
AGEC 244Agricultural Marketing3
CHEM 260Elements of Biochemistry4
Select one the following evaluation courses:2
Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Meat Grading and Evaluation
Livestock Evaluation
Equine Evaluation
ANSC 340Principles of Meat Science3
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
ANSC 370Fundamentals/Animal Disease3
ANSC 380Livestock Sales and Marketing2
PLSC 320Principles of Forage Production3
or RNG 336 Introduction to Range Management
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
Option 2: Animal Agribusiness Option - 38 Credits
ACCT 102Fundamentals of Accounting3
BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab1
or BIOL 150L General Biology I Laboratory
ECON 202Principles of Macroeconomics (will fulfill Social/Behavioral Science)3
AGEC 242Introduction to Agricultural Management3
AGEC 244Agricultural Marketing3
AGEC 246Introduction to Agricultural Finance3
Select one of the following evaluation courses:2
Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Meat Grading and Evaluation
Livestock Evaluation
Equine Evaluation
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
ANSC 380Livestock Sales and Marketing2
AGEC elective300-400 level4
Animal Agribusiness electives - 11 Credits (Students may choose from upper level ANSC, AGEC, COMM, ECON, PLSC or RNG)11
Total Credits38
Option 3: Biomedical Science 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 120Fundamentals of Physics3
or PHYS 211 College Physics I
PHYS 120LFundamentals of Physics Laboratory1
or PHYS 211L College Physics I Laboratory
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 Chemistry3
or CHEM 341 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 260Elements of Biochemistry3-4
or BIOC 460 Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I
MICR 350
& 350L		General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Lab		5
Select one of the following evaluation courses:2
Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Meat Grading and Evaluation
Livestock Evaluation
Equine Evaluation
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
or ANSC 314 Animal Biotechnology
ANSC 444Livestock Muscle Physiology3
Biomedical Science electives – 8 Credits (Students may choose from upper level ANSC, BIOC, BIOL, CHEM, MICR, PHYS OR SAFE)8
Total Credits40-41
Option 4: Livestock Media Option - 35 Credits
BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab1
or BIOL 150L General Biology I Laboratory
AGEC 242Introduction to Agricultural Management3
AGEC 244Agricultural Marketing3
Select one of the following evaluation courses:2
Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Meat Grading and Evaluation
Livestock Evaluation
Equine Evaluation
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
ANSC 380Livestock Sales and Marketing2
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
Principles of Broadcast Production
Introduction to Web Design
Introduction to Web Development
Principles of Design For Print
Principles of Strategic Communication
Advertising Creative Strategies
Advertising Media Planning
COMM 400-level
Total Credits35
Option 5: Meat Science Option - 36-37 Credits
BIOL 111Concepts of Biology3
or BIOL 150 General Biology I
BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab1
or BIOL 150L General Biology I Laboratory
AGEC 244Agricultural Marketing3
CHEM 260Elements of Biochemistry4
ANSC 230Meat Grading and Evaluation2
ANSC 340Principles of Meat Science3
ANSC 344Fundamentals of Meat Processing2
ANSC 357Animal Genetics3
ANSC 444Livestock Muscle Physiology3
CFS 210Introduction to Food Science and Technology2
CFS elective300-400 Level3
Meat Science electives– 8 Credits (Students may choose from upper level ANSC, BIOC, CFS, CHEM, MICR OR SAFE)8
Total Credits37

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 240Meat Animal Evaluation and Marketing3
Elective Courses5
Must include one of the following courses:
Domestic Animal Behavior and Management
Animal Biotechnology
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
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:
Meat Grading and Evaluation
Livestock Evaluation
Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Competitive Livestock Evaluation
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.
Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
This Plan of Study applies to Animal Production, Management, and Husbandry study option (Option 1). For other options see the departmental website. ANSC 2403
AGRI 1891BIOL 111 or 1503
ANSC 1143BIOL 111L or 150L1
ANSC 150, VETS 150, or AGRI 1501ENGL 120 (ENGL 110 or placement as prerequisite)3
VETS 1353PLSC 1103
MATH 1033Humanity or Fine ArtOne course needs to be a Cultural Diversity3
CHEM 117 or 1213 
CHEM 117L or 121L1 
 15 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ANSC 3312CHEM 2604
AGEC 2423AGEC 2443
MICR 2022STAT 3303
MICR 202L1PLSC 3153
COMM 1103Humanity or Fine Art3
ECON 201Social Science and Global Perspective course3 
Humanity or Fine Art3 
 17 16
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ANSC 3003ANSC 3243
ANSC 3233ANSC 3403
ANSC 3703ANSC 3573
RNG 336 or PLSC 3203ANSC 3802
ENGL 3203ANSC 4633
Wellness2ANSC 463L1
 17 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ANSC 394 or 3961-5ANSC 480, 484, or 4863
ANSC 482 or 4883ANSC 4783
Social or Behavior Science3ElectiveSome are guided10
ElectiveSome are guided9-5 
 16 16
Total Credits: 128