Food Animal

Animal Sciences graduates work with the science and business of producing domestic livestock species or animal-related products. They may also pursue veterinary studies for future work with companion animals, livestock, or other species. Animal Sciences students study biotechnology, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, physiology, growth, behavior, management, and food processing.

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.
Website

CONTACT

352.392.1981 (tel) | 352.392.7652 (fax)

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

Curriculum

Through proper selection of electives, students may emphasize beef, dairy, or meat science. Career preparation can be strengthened through electives.

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 equine or food animal specialization.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
  • Complete ANS 3006 and ANS 3006L
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 upper division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
BSC 2010
2010L
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences)
4
ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing (State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement) 3
MAC 1147 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
State Core Gen Ed Humanities with Diversity 3
 Credits14
Semester Two
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
AEC 3030C
Effective Oral Communication
or Introduction to Public Speaking
3
BSC 2011
2011L
Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
4
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 4
ENC 1102 Argument and Persuasion (Gen Ed Composition) 3
 Credits17
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
Select one: 3
Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences (Writing Requirement)
Technical Writing
CHM 2045
2045L
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
4
Electives 5
 Credits15
Semester Four
MCB 2000
2000L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory (Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
Gen Ed Diversity or International 3
Elective 3
 Credits13
Semester Five
AEB 3133 Principles of Agribusiness Management 3
ANS 3006
3006L
Introduction to Animal Science
and Introduction to Animal Science Laboratory (Critical Tracking)
4
ANS 3440 Principles of Animal Nutrition 4
ANS 3634C Meats 3
ANS 3934 Careers in the Livestock Industry 2
 Credits16
Semester Six
AGR 4231C Forage Science and Range Management 4
ANS 3319C Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology in Domestic Animals (Critical Tracking) 4
ANS 3384C Genetics of Domestic Animals 3
ANS 3404C Food Animal Nutrition and Feeding 3
ANS 3613C Value determination of meat animals 3
 Credits17
Summer After Semester Six
ANS 4941 Full-Time Practical Work Experience in Animal Science (Critical Tracking) 3-8
 Credits3-8
Semester Seven
ANS 3043 Growth and Development of Farm Animals (Critical Tracking) 3
Approved Food and Resource Economics elective 3
Approved Electives 6
 Credits12
Semester Eight
ANS 4931 Senior Seminar (Critical Tracking) 1
Approved Food and Resource Economics elective 3
Approved Electives 6
Electives 3
 Credits13
 Total Credits120

Approved Electives

ANS 2615CIntroduction to livestock and meat evaluation3
ANS 3008Livestock Behavior and Welfare3
ANS 3239LTechniques in Equine Science2
ANS 3246LBeef Production Practicum2
ANS 3250LDairy Cattle Practicum2
ANS 3251Biology and Management of Dairy Cattle2
ANS 4243Beef Cow-Calf Management5
ANS 4245CBeef Background and Feedlot Management2
ANS 4605Animal and Products Evaluation1
ANS 4623CPork Production3
ANS 4635CMeat Processing3
ANS 4701Physiology of the Mammary Gland and Lactation2
ANS 4905Problems in Animal Science1-3
FOS 3042Introductory Food Science3
FOS 4202Food Safety and Sanitation2
FOS 4222Food Microbiology3-4
FOS 4222LFood Microbiology Laboratory2
FOS 4310LExperimental Foods Laboratory1
FOS 4311Food Chemistry3
FOS 4311LFood Chemistry Laboratory1
FOS 4427CPrinciples of Food Processing4
FOS 4722CQuality Control in Food Systems3
FOS 4731Government Regulations and the Food Industry2

Approved Food and Resource Economics Electives

AEB 3122Financial Planning for Agribusiness3
AEB 3300Agricultural and Food Marketing3
AEB 3315Futures Markets and Risk Management in Agriculture3
AEB 3341Selling Strategically3
AEB 3450Introduction to Natural Resource and Environmental Economics3
AEB 4085Agricultural Risk Management and the Law3
AEB 4123Agricultural and Natural Resource Law3
AEB 4126Agricultural and Natural Resource Ethics3
AEB 4138Advanced Agribusiness Management3
AEB 4242International Trade Policy in Agriculture3
AEB 4309Food Wholesaling and Retail Marketing3
AEB 4342Agribusiness and Food Marketing Management3
AEB 4343International Agribusiness Marketing3
AEB 4424Human Resources Management in Agribusiness3

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