Four universities offering leading, experiential degrees in animal science

If you’d like a career working with animals, a degree in Animal Science is your first step to a range of jobs involving pets, working animals, livestock and wildlife. Roles are just as varied — you won’t just be confined to working on farms. In fact, you can land roles as an academic researcher, animal nutritionist, nature conservation officer, zoologist, and more. Your skills will even be useful in jobs like ecologist, environmental consultant, science writer, sales executive and more.

But to be this versatile and in demand, you’ll need to be trained by the best in this field. The most effective Animal Science degrees today include tangible ways to learn both in and out of the classroom. When students learn by doing, they don’t just retain information but also evolve into professionals ready for the challenges of the modern workforce. Being hands-on offers a wide range of other benefits as well, from a better understanding of course material and broader view of the world to greater networking opportunities and gratification from building relationships. 

The universities below offer Animal Science degrees that’ll engage you in experiential learning and reflection:

Iowa State University

Iowa State University’s agricultural programmes have been named among the top 4% worldwide for nine consecutive years — and it’s easy to understand why.

The university is located in a world-leading state for agricultural production. It’s a strategic location that provides industry connections and first-hand knowledge to serve the needs of the animal industries.  The Department of Animal Science includes a wide range of teaching farms that feature all of the major species including cattle, swine, dairy, equine, sheep, broilers, laying hens, and turkeys. Access to companion animals and lab animals are available as well.

These resources make for unique out-of-class opportunities to apply your skills and complement your in-classroom learning. The Department of Animal Science takes this “Science with Practice” approach in all its programmes, giving you an understanding of the life-cycle of both production animals and companion animals through the study of the fundamentals of behaviour, growth and development, physiology, genetics and breeding, nutrition and reproduction. Majors offered include Animal Science and Dairy Science, while minors offered include Meat Science and Animal Science. While one of the largest animal science departments in the U.S., the focused approach on student development and tailored academic advising to support student success prepares students to thrive in their careers as thought leaders and influencers.

Clubs and student organisations in the Department of Animal Science are a great way for students to get involved in furthering in their interests and developing leadership skills. They get extra experience working with livestock, plan and execute large-scale events, and even teach others in the community about animals. At the same time, students grow professionally by travelling abroad with like-minded peers, meeting leaders in the agriculture industry, and learning essential skills like communication, leadership and resilience. Visit the Department of Animal Science.

NC State University

There are several reasons why the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation pour millions of research dollars into the Department of Animal Science at NC State University. The faculty and students work to pioneer solutions for the challenges facing the animal science industry. Most of all, they do it sustainably, from improving breeding techniques to streamlining dairy record management systems.

For a chance to work with these impactful researchers, students can join the department’s various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Their Bachelor of Science programme has three tracks: Veterinary Science, Science and Industry. Undergraduate students can also explore a minor in Animal Science or take an Undergraduate Certificate in Animal Nutrition, where students are allowed to complete the four required courses on-campus, online or in combination. Want to graduate in five years with a BS and Master of Science? Consider the Accelerated Programme. 

Outside the classroom, you get to meet friends, explore the world and enrich your college experience. There are student clubs such as Collegiate Horseman’s Association, Companion Animal Club, Dairy Science Club, Equestrian Club, and more. To gain work experience while earning college credit, choose from a selection of resume-boosting professional, research and teaching experiences. Or go abroad — study abroad programmes let you learn, earn college credit and travel the world.

Whichever programme you choose, you’ll be trained to lead in the science of domestic mammals and develop knowledge that improves the efficiency and sustainability of animal agriculture, biomedical science and animal management. You’re set to get your dream career as many students before you did — NC State graduates are today’s high-in-demand veterinarians, biotechnologists, livestock buyers, sales representatives, marketing managers and more. Many pursue vet school or other professional degrees as well. Visit the Department of Animal Science at NC State University.

Purdue University

Transformative, supportive, diverse and inclusive. These features define Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life and natural resource sciences. 

Purdue Agriculture is a land-grant institution committed to preparing students to make a difference. It offers over 30 majors in a wide range of disciplines, such as business and marketing; wildlife and forestry; food and fermentation sciences; landscape architecture; animal sciences; environmental and natural resources engineering; plant sciences; sustainable food and farming; and biochemistry. 

Their Animal Sciences major prepares students for scientific careers in animal agriculture, offering concentrations in animal agribusiness, behaviour/wellbeing, biosciences, pre-veterinary medicine, and animal production and industry. The programme is suitable for those interested in continuing on to a professional school in dentistry, medicine or veterinary medicine, or graduate studies in specialised fields involving animal genetics, nutrition, physiology, food science, or management.

Graduates of Purdue’s Animal Sciences major lead in their industry of choice. They excel in areas such as animal production, pharmaceutical and feed sales, products, biosciences research, nutrition, welfare and reproduction. Visit Purdue Agriculture here for more information.

UC Davis

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis believes that relationships among people and animals are integral to our society, economy and culture. This is why it encourages modern, efficient and human ways to care for and make the best use of animals, teaching students that animals provide humans with food, clothing, recreation and companionship. Your Animal Science degree here will reflect these values.

At UC Davis, there are three Animal Science undergraduate majors: Agricultural and Environmental Education, Animal Science, and Animal Science and Management. In all three, students work with domestic and captive species, including companion animals, livestock and wildlife conservation. 

The college provides hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for students, utilising research and teaching programmes covering the animal ecosystem to the application of agricultural and environmental system principles. 

As UC Davis provides a broad, vibrant spectrum of programmes, this makes for a rich study environment filled with diverse perspectives that cut across disciplines. An education of this calibre allows students to find employment beyond animal science. UC Davis Animal Science graduates have built careers in public schools, non-profit organisations, financial institutions, state, federal, and international agencies, nature preserves, community organisations and sustainable development.

Visit the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis here.