Animal Sciences

major

Animal Sciences students study reproduction, genetics, nutrition, physiology, growth, behavior, biotechnology, and management of livestock species. They also study animal sourced food processing. Increasingly, Animal Sciences students also take additional courses in communication, education, business economics, environmental science, and data science. Animal Sciences graduates often work with the science and business of producing domestic livestock species or animal-related products. Many Animal Sciences students prepare to pursue veterinary studies or graduate studies for future work with companion animals, livestock, or other species.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Department of Animal Sciences creates new solutions to tomorrow's problems in the areas of teaching, research, and extension, by integrating the most modern technologies available with personal expertise and attention to the needs of both students and industry.
More Info | 352.392.1981 (tel) | 352.392.7652 (fax)

P.O. BOX 110910
2250 Shealy Drive
GAINESVILLE FL 32608
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Curriculum

By choosing appropriate electives, students can earn a minor or a dual-major in agribusiness management, extension education, or agricultural operations management while completing the degree requirements for the Animal Biology, Equine, Food Animal, or Integrative Animal Sciences specialization.

Specializations

Animal Biology

For students who wish to pursue professional or graduate programs. Students who plan to apply to the UF College of Veterinary Medicine in the equine, food animal, or mixed-practice tracks are encouraged to select electives from Animal Sciences livestock production courses. Career preparation can be strengthened through electives. By choosing appropriate electives, students can earn certificates, a minor, or a dual-major in other fields.

Equine

For students who wish to focus on Equine science. Career preparation can be strengthened through electives. By choosing appropriate electives, students can earn certificates, a minor, or a dual-major in other fields.

Food Animal

For students who wish to focus on food animal production with an emphasis on beef, dairy, or meat science. Career preparation can be strengthened through electives. By choosing appropriate electives, students can earn certificates, a minor, or a dual-major in other fields.

Integrative Animal Sciences

For students who wish to obtain a customized degree in animal sciences with a focus on a discipline rather than an animal species and are not pursuing a professional program in the health sciences. Examples include integration of the animal sciences with advanced training in artificial intelligence, or reproduction, or animal behavior, or environmental sciences. By choosing appropriate electives, students can earn a minor or a dual-major in other fields.

Animal sciences majors receive a broad education in the healthy production of animals and animal products. Students' knowledge will be developed through formal courses, laboratories and field trips and will be applied in internships, team projects and presentations. Students will develop the ability to apply conceptual knowledge to solve problems in animal production and to make management decisions.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Pass the animal sciences competency exam, given in three parts. One part will be given in each of these required courses:
    ANS 3006Introduction to Animal Science3
    ANS 3043Growth and Development of Farm Animals3
    ANS 3319CReproductive Physiology and Endocrinology in Domestic Animals4
  • Achieve minimum grades of C in AEC 3030C and AEC 3033C. These courses are graded using rubrics developed by a faculty committee.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Describe and explain fundamental concepts, skills and processes in animal sciences.
  2. Apply fundamental concepts, skills and processes in animal sciences.

Critical Thinking

  1. Critically evaluate information (or data) in animal sciences.
  2. Solve problems in animal sciences.

Communication

  1. Effectively communicate in written form in a manner appropriate in animal sciences.
  2. Effectively communicate orally in a manner appropriate in animal sciences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5 SLO 6
AEC 3030C I, R, A
AEC 3033C I, R, A
ANS 3006 I I R
ANS 3043 R R I R R
ANS 3319C R R I I, R R
ANS 4931 R R R R R R
Academic Assessment Exam A A A A

Assessment Types

  • Grades
  • Academic assessment exam
    • Students in the equine specialization must complete a case study in ANS 4234
    • Students in the food animal specialization must complete an economic assessment plan in ANS 3613C