Animal Science Major

• What is Animal Science?
• What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Animal Science?
• What Courses Do Animal Science Majors Take?
• List of Animal Science Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Animal Science Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Animal Science?

Animals are an important part of our lives. Animal science majors seek to improve the lives of animals and their human companions. They may find jobs focused on caring for pets or assuring a safe food supply, preserving endangered species or protecting the public from animal-borne diseases. Animal science is the study of growth, breeding, genetics, and reproductive biology of livestock. One focus of this major is the caring for, selling, and growing of livestock. Another focus is scientific research on animals, including drugs and poisons that directly affect livestock. This major is for students who want to continue on to graduate work in the animal sciences or those who want to pursue a career in livestock production.

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What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?

Various specializations related to a major in Animal Science may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:

Agribusiness	Agricultural and Animal Nutrition
Animal Breeding and Genetics	Animal Health Technician
Animal Sciences	Animal Trainer
Dairy Science	Equestrian or Equine Studies
Livestock Management	Pharmacology (Human and Animal)
Pre-Veterinary Studies	Range Science and Management
Veterinarian Assistant

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What Kinds of Students Major in Animal Science?

Students who like to work with and around animals will enjoy this major. While the title of this major may bring up visions of ranching and working in the outdoors, there are many opportunities for scientific research, management, and sales which to be conducted indoors. Animal science majors may have a number of hobbies that involve animals, including riding horses, attending rodeos, playing or watching polo or competing in or watching equestrian competitions. Agriculture majors should be strong in the sciences, especially in biology.

Is Animal Science the right major for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it is one of your top recommended majors!

What Courses Do Animal Science Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Animal Science majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Animal Nutrition	Genetic Prediction
Management Systems	Meat Science
Muscle Biology	Pharmacology & Toxicology

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List of Potential Jobs in Animal Science

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Horse Trainer	Agribusiness (Industry)
Animal Feed Industry	Beef Cattle Ranching
Breeding Farm	Farm and Animal Publications
Food Company	Livestock Production
Meat Processing

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What is the Median Salary Range for Animal Science Careers?

U.S. Median Salary(starting):$37,000

U.S. Median Salary(mid-career):$74,400

Note: These numbers are national averages so you could make more or less than these amounts. Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Animal Science

MyMajors complete list has 383 schools in the USA with a major in Animal Science.
-View the national listing!

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For information on options available to campuses wishing to see their programs listed on MyMajors, contact for details.