College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Type of Degree

B.S.

School or College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Area of Study

Food and agriculture
Health and medicine

Program Format

On-campus, Full-time

Animals shape our world in powerful and meaningful ways—from the food we eat and the science that saves lives, to the sports we enjoy and the companions we cherish. The Animal Studies major in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences explores these connections.

Program Overview

The Animal Studies major in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences explores these connections in depth, offering a dynamic, interdisciplinary education centered on animals and their relationships with people.

 Through hands-on learning and a strong scientific foundation, students gain insight into animal behavior, welfare, health, and management across agriculture, biomedical research, recreation, and beyond. Whether you’re passionate about working directly with animals, improving animal well-being, or understanding their role in society, Animal Studies prepares you to turn that passion into a purpose-driven career.

Curriculum

ANIMAL STUDIES MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

   
Ancilllary course requirements:  
BIOL 1400/BCOR 1400 (Bio 1)4 
BIOL 1450/BCOR 1450 (Bio 2)4 
STAT 1110 Elements of Statistics311
   
Animal Studies Requirements:  
ASCI 1000 Intro to Animal Science 3 
ASCI 1009 Human Animal Relationships3 
ASCI 1040 Intro to Animal Nutrition3 
ASCI 1100 World of Working Animals3 
PSYS 1400 Intro Psychological Science3 
ASCI 2000 Animal Science Career Seminar1 
ASCI 2130 Animal Welfare/Animals in Soc3 
ASCI 2020 Informal Science Education3 
ASCI 3030 Applied Animal Behavior3 
ASCI 3079 Animals, Disability, and the Law3 
CAPSTONE Experience: Choose one of: ASCI 3991, ASCI 3993, or ASCI 39953 
  31
   
Choose 12 credits of following:  
At least 3 credits at 3000 level or above  
ASCI 1090 One Health3 
ASCI 1400 Intro to the Horse3 
ASCI 1410 Beginner Horseback Riding1 
ASCI. 1450 Horse Barn Cooperative1 
ASCI 1500 Intro to the Cat and Dog3 
ASCI 1510 Understanding & Speaking Dog3 
ASCI 2050 The European Pony Tour3 
ASCI 2110 Animal Anatomy4 
ASCI 2400 Equus4 
ASCI 2420 Equine Training Techniques3 
ASCI 2430 Equine Instructing Techniques2 
ASCI 2470 Equine Enterprise Management3 
ASCI 2490 Equine Practicum2 
ASCI 2510 Canine Behavior3 
ASCI 2600 Zoos, Exotics and Endangered Species3 
CDAE 2660 Intro to Community Entrepreneurship3 
ASCI 2990 Special Topics (advisor approved)3 
ASCI 3450 Equine Management & Programming1 to 6 
ASCI 3470 Equine Industry Issues3 
ASCI 3600 Advanced Zoos, Exotics, Endgd Species3 
ASCI 3650: Writing in Animal Science3 
ASCI 3991 Internship (advisor approved)3-6 
ASCI 3995 Undergrad Research (advisor approved)3-6 
ASCI 3500 CL: Animal Shelters3 
ANTH 2110 People and Animals 3 
SWSS 1020 Foundations of Social Work3 
BCOR 2100 Ecology and Evolution 4 
EDSP 3250 Culture of Disability3 
PSYS 2100 Learning, Cognition and Behavior3 
PSYS 2300 Social Psychology 3 
WFB 3990 Human Wildlife Coexistence 3 
  12
   
TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDITS FOR ANIMAL STUDIES MAJOR 54
   
TOTAL # OF FREE ELECTIVES = 18 credits  
   
TOTAL CREDITS = 120 credits  

Outcomes

Students majoring in Animal Studies will learn to: 

  1. Understand basic health, caretaking, animal behavior, and animal handling.
  2. Recognize the impact of human-animal-environmental interactions in a culturally responsive and ethically advanced setting.
  3. Develop an in-depth understanding of the role animals play in human society.
  4. Recognize how relationships with companion species can contribute to social and psychological well-being.
  5. Apply concepts and practices of the human-animal bond across many audiences.

More

The animal studies major offers students the opportunity to focus deeply on animal behavior and human-animal relationships. The knowledge and skills gained through this major, along with applied experiential learning through elective internships and research, provide students across many disciplines with tools to support careers in multiple fields.  

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