Animal Sciences
The animal science major at North Dakota State University 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 providing animals and animal products that benefit humans.
The Program
The Department of Animal Sciences offers degree programs in animal science, equine science, and veterinary technology. The faculty and staff conduct teaching, research and extension programs to support production and utilization of many types of animals, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, swine and horses, as well as other managed animals, including those providing other types of food and fiber, companion animals and animals in zoos.
The Curriculum
Five study options are available for the animal science major.
Animal Production, Management and Husbandry – This option is designed for students wanting 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 and 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 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 such as 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 concerning 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.
High School Preparation
High school preparation should include course work in biology, chemistry, English and algebra.
Career Opportunities
Animal science students qualify for many varied occupations that involve animal and agriculture business, livestock products and land management. Graduates find employment with colleges and universities, private industry and foreign assignments, as well as federal and state land management agencies. Specific employment opportunities are available in the areas of Extension Service; financial lending; the promotion, management and sale of livestock and meat; feed sales; and farm, ranch and natural resource management. The need for research in animal science has encouraged many students (15 percent) to enter graduate school.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Animal science students belong to a variety of clubs including Saddle and Sirloin, Dairy Club, Rodeo Club, Horseman’s Association, Collegiate Cattlewomen, Range Club, and Collegiate FFA. The Saddle and Sirloin club is the largest club on campus and sponsors events such as the Little International Livestock Show, the Hall of Fame Banquet, and Kiddie Days.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Part-time work and work-study programs in the seven livestock units, animal science laboratories and offices are available through the department. Information about scholarships is available at www.ag.ndsu.edu/academics/scholarships or by contacting the Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources, NDSU, Dept 2200, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, (701) 231-7656. Numerous awards and more than 30 scholarships are available to sophomore, junior and senior animal science majors. Scholarships are announced in the spring semester and awarded fall semester.
Animal Science Plans of Study for Animal Biomedical Science, Animal Agribusiness, Livestock Media, or Meat Science Options - see examples at www.ag.ndsu.edu/ansc/undergraduate-programs-1/undergraduate-programs.
Animal Science Plan of Study - Animal Production, Management, and Husbandry study option (Option 1)
Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum. Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.
| Freshman | ||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
| ANSC 101 Student Success Techniques | 1 | ANSC 240 Meat Animal Evaluation and Marketing | 3 | |
| - Animal and Equine Science | ||||
| ENGL 120 College Composition II | 3 | |||
| ANSC 114 Introduction to Animal Sciences | 3 | |||
| COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 | |||
| ENGL 110 College Composition I | 4 | |||
| Gen Ed Humanity & Fine Arts/Gen Ed Cultural Diversity | 3 | |||
| VETS 135 Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals | 3 | |||
| BIOL 111 or 150 Concepts of Biology or | 3 | |||
| MATH 103 College Algebra | 3 | General Biology I | ||
| CHEM 117 or 121 Chemical Concepts and | 3 | BIOL 111L or 150L Concepts of Biology Lab or | 1 | |
| Applications or General Chemistry I | General Biology I Laboratory | |||
| CHEM 117L or 121L Chem Concepts and | 1 | |||
| Applications Lab or General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||||
| 18 | 16 | |||
| Sophomore | ||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
| AGEC 242 Introduction to Agricultural Management | 3 | AGEC 244 Agricultural Marketing | 3 | |
| ANSC 230, 231, 232 or 235 Meat Grading and | 2 | BIOC 260 Elements of Biochemistry | 4 | |
| Evaluation, Livestock Evaluation, Dairy Cattle Evaluation, | ||||
| or Equine Evaluation | STAT 330 Introductory Statistics | 3 | ||
| ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | Gen Ed Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 | |
| ENGL 120 College Composition II | 3 | Gen Ed Science & Technology | 3 | |
| MICR 202 & 202L Introductory Microbiology & | 3 | |||
| Introductory Microbiology Lab | ||||
| 14 | 16 | |||
| Junior | ||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
| ANSC 300 Domestic Animal Behavior and Management | 3 | ANSC 324 Applied Animal Nutrition | 3 | |
| ANSC 323 Fundamentals of Nutrition | 3 | ANSC 340 Principles of Meat Science | 3 | |
| ANSC 357 Animal Genetics | 3 | ANSC 380 Livestock Sales and Marketing | 2 | |
| ANSC 370 Fundamentals/Animal Disease | 3 | Gen Ed Upper-level Writing | 3 | |
| ANSC 393, 396 or 379 Undergraduate Research, Field | 2 | ANSC 463 & 463L Physiology of Reproduction & | 4 | |
| Experience, or Study Tour Abroad | Physiology of Reproduction Laboratory | |||
| 14 | 15 | |||
| Senior | ||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
| ANSC 482 or 488 sheep Industry and Production Systems | 3 | ANSC 478 Research and Issues in Animal Agriculture | 3 | |
| or Dairy Industry and Production Systems** | ||||
| Gen Ed Social or Behavioral Science | 3 | ANSC 480, 482, 484, or 486 Equine Industry and | 3 | |
| Animal Prod, Mgt, & Husbandry Elective | 3 | Production Systems, Sheep Industry and Production | ||
| Animal Prod, Mgt, & Husbandry Elective | 3 | Systems, Swine Production/Pork Industry Systems, | ||
| Gen Ed Wellness | 2 | or Beef Industry and Production Systems** | ||
| Elective | 3 | |||
| Elective | 4 | |||
| 14 | 13 | |||
| Total Credits: 120 | ||||
**
Two production courses are required. ANSC 482 and 488 are offered during the fall semester; ANSC 480, 485, and 486 are offered during the spring semester.
View NDSU equivalencies of transfer courses at: www.ndsu.edu/transfer/equivalencies
Hultz Hall
Room 100
Hultz Hall is located on Albrecht Boulevard just south of IACC (Campus Map)
Contact Information
Animal Sciences
North Dakota State University
Dept 7630 PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Phone: (701) 231-7641
Email: ndsu.ansc@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ag.ndsu.edu/ansc
or
Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230 PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Phone: (701) 231-8643 / Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/
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