Animal Science (BS): Veterinary Bioscience Concentration
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Animal Science may be obtained by selecting one of three concentrations offered by the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: Veterinary Bioscience, Science, and Industry.
The Veterinary Bioscience concentration is for students who are interested in advanced study in DVM programs and has all of the NC State's veterinary school prerequisite courses built into the concentration. Students in this concentration must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. There are many opportunities to gain undergraduate research experience with an Animal Science faculty member, to participate in one of the animal-related clubs, and to engage globally by participating in one of our Animal Science Study Abroad experiences.
Accelerated Graduate Opportunities
Advanced undergraduates have the opportunity to complete the Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's degrees, which allows students to earn both the BS and the Master's of Animal Science degrees within five years. See listing of graduate degrees offered in the Graduate School.
For more information about our program, visit our website.
Contact
Department of Animal Science
North Carolina State University
Campus Box 7621
Raleigh, NC 27695-7621
Dr. M. Todd See
Professor and Department Head
North Carolina State University
Polk Hall, Box 7621
Raleigh, NC 27695-7621
919.515.2755
tsee@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
Use of animals and animal specimens is critical to our educational program. To obtain full credit for Animal Science courses, students are required to participate in laboratory procedures involving animals and animal specimens. All activities with live animals are IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) approved. Many lectures also incorporate animals or animal specimens into the course.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | ||
| ALS 103 | First-year Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 1 |
| or ALS 303 | Transfer Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences | |
| Communication | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Argumentation and Advocacy | ||
| Mathematical & Natural Sciences | ||
| MA 107 | Precalculus I 1 | 3 |
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| or ST 350 | Economics and Business Statistics | |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CH 101 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| GN 311 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| ANS 150 & ANS 151 | Introduction to Animal Science and Introduction to Animal Science Lab 1 | 4 |
| ANS 205 & ANS 206 | Physiology of Domestic Animals and Anatomy of Domestic Animals Lab | 4 |
| ANS 220 & ANS 221 | Reproductive Physiology and Reproductive Physiology Lab | 4 |
| ANS 230 & ANS 231 | Animal Nutrition and Animal Nutrition Lab | 4 |
| Select one of the following Animal Management courses: | 3 | |
| Companion Animal Management | ||
| Swine Management | ||
| Livestock Grazing Management | ||
| Small Ruminant Management | ||
| Equine Breeding Farm Management | ||
| Management of Growing and Performance Horses | ||
| Beef Cattle Management | ||
| Dairy Cattle Management | ||
| Animal Science Discipline Courses | 6 | |
| Animal Science Electives | 5 | |
| Select one of the following Economics courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Fundamentals of Economics | ||
| Veterinary Bioscience Options | ||
| Select one of the following Calculus I courses: | 3 | |
| Elements of Calculus | ||
| Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| CH 201 & CH 202 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CH 221 & CH 222 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CH 223 & CH 224 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| MB 351 & MB 352 | General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| PY 211 | College Physics I | 4 |
| PY 212 | College Physics II | 4 |
| BCH 351 | General Biochemistry | 3-4 |
| or BCH 451 | Principles of Biochemistry | |
| GEP Courses | ||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3 | 5 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 2,3 | 7-8 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
- 3
Students are encouraged to take an Ethics course as part of their Humanities, Additional Breadth, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, or Free Electives.
Animal Science Discipline Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANS 415/515/NTR 415/515/PO 415/515 | Comparative Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS 425/525/FM 425/525/NTR 425/525/PO 425/525 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| ANS 435 | Stress Physiology in Animals | 3 |
| ANS 437 | Precision Livestock Farming Systems | 3 |
| ANS 439 | Comparative Animal Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ANS 440/540 | Animal Genetic Improvement | 3 |
| ANS 452/552/PHY 452/552 | Comparative Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology | 3 |
| ANS 453/553 | Physiology and Genetics of Growth and Development | 3 |
| ANS 454/554/NTR 454/554 | Lactation, Milk and Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS/NTR 550 | Applied Ruminant Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS/NTR 561 | Equine Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS/BCH 571 | Regulation of Metabolism | 3 |
| ANS 590 | Topical Problems in Animal Science | 1-3 |
| NTR 419 | Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease | 3 |
| VMP 420 | Disease of Farm Animals | 3 |
Animal Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Science Electives | ||
| VMP 420 | Disease of Farm Animals | 3 |
| Any ANS Courses Not Planned | ||
| AEE 208 | Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues and Implications | 3 |
| ANS 105 | Introduction to Companion Animal Science | 3 |
| ANS 110 | Introduction to Equine Science | 3 |
| ANS 150 | Introduction to Animal Science | 3 |
| ANS 151 | Introduction to Animal Science Lab | 1 |
| ANS 201 | Techniques of Animal Care | 2 |
| ANS 205 | Physiology of Domestic Animals | 3 |
| ANS 206 | Anatomy of Domestic Animals Lab | 1 |
| ANS/PB 208 | Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues and Implications | 3 |
| ANS/HS 215 | Agricultural Genetics | 3 |
| ANS 220 | Reproductive Physiology | 3 |
| ANS 221 | Reproductive Physiology Lab | 1 |
| ANS 230 | Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS 231 | Animal Nutrition Lab | 1 |
| ANS 240/240A | Livestock Merchandising | 3 |
| ANS 240A | Livestock Merchandising | 3 |
| ANS 241 | Introduction to Meat and Poultry Processing | 3 |
| ANS 241A | Introduction to Meat and Poultry Processing | 3 |
| ANS 242 | Value Added Meat and Poultry Processing | 3 |
| ANS 242A | Value Added Meat and Poultry Processing | 3 |
| ANS 243 | Meat Safety and Quality Systems | 3 |
| ANS 243A | Meat Safety and Quality Systems | 3 |
| ANS 260 | Basic Swine Science | 2 |
| ANS 261 | Swine Health and Biosecurity | 1 |
| ANS 262 | Swine Breeding and Gestation Management | 1 |
| ANS 263 | Farrowing Management | 1 |
| ANS 264 | Swine Nursery and Finishing Management | 1 |
| ANS 265 | Contemporary Issues in the Swine Industry | 1 |
| ANS 266 | Swine Environment Management | 1 |
| ANS 267 | Swine Manure and Nutrient Management | 1 |
| ANS 268 | Employee Management for the Swine Industry | 1 |
| ANS 269 | Internship in the Swine Industry | 1 |
| ANS 270 | Pork Export Markets from a Swine Production Perspective | 1 |
| ANS 271 | Swine Nutrition | 1 |
| ANS 281 | Professional Development of PreVeterinary Track Students | 1 |
| ANS 290 | Professional Development for Animal Science Careers | 2 |
| ANS 303 | Principles of Equine Evaluation | 2 |
| ANS 304 | Dairy Cattle Evaluation | 2 |
| ANS 309 | Livestock Evaluation | 3 |
| ANS/PO/FS 322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| ANS/FS 324 | Milk and Dairy Products | 3 |
| ANS 330 | Laboratory Animal Science | 3 |
| ANS 395 | Animal Science Study Abroad | 1-6 |
| ANS 400 | Companion Animal Management | 3 |
| ANS 402 | Beef Cattle Management | 3 |
| ANS 403 | Swine Management | 3 |
| ANS 404 | Dairy Cattle Management | 3 |
| ANS 407 | Livestock Grazing Management | 3 |
| ANS 408 | Small Ruminant Management | 3 |
| ANS 410 | Equine Breeding Farm Management | 3 |
| ANS 411 | Management of Growing and Performance Horses | 3 |
| ANS 415/515/NTR 415/515/PO 415/515 | Comparative Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS 425/525/FM 425/525/NTR 425/525/PO 425/525 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| ANS 435 | Stress Physiology in Animals | 3 |
| ANS 437 | Precision Livestock Farming Systems | 3 |
| ANS 439 | Comparative Animal Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ANS 440/540/ | Animal Genetic Improvement | 3 |
| ANS 452/552/PHY 452/552 | Comparative Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology | 3 |
| ANS 453/553 | Physiology and Genetics of Growth and Development | 3 |
| ANS 454/554/NTR 454/554 | Lactation, Milk and Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS 495 | Special Topics in Animal Science | 1-3 |
| ANS/NTR 550 | Applied Ruminant Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS/NTR 561 | Equine Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS/BCH 571 | Regulation of Metabolism | 3 |
| ANS 590 | Topical Problems in Animal Science | 1-3 |
| FS 435/535 | Food Safety Management Systems | 3 |
| NTR 419 | Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| ALS 103 | First-year Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 1 |
| ANS 150 & ANS 151 | Introduction to Animal Science and Introduction to Animal Science Lab 1 | 4 |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| MA 107 | Precalculus I 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Animal Science Course | 2 | |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CH 101 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Elements of Calculus | ||
| Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ANS 205 & ANS 206 | Physiology of Domestic Animals and Anatomy of Domestic Animals Lab | 4 |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 2 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Fundamentals of Economics | ||
| CH 221 & CH 222 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Argumentation and Advocacy | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ANS 220 & ANS 221 | Reproductive Physiology and Reproductive Physiology Lab | 4 |
| CH 223 & CH 224 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| ST 311 or ST 350 | Introduction to Statistics or Economics and Business Statistics | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ANS 230 & ANS 231 | Animal Nutrition and Animal Nutrition Lab | 4 |
| Animal Science Course | 3 | |
| MB 351 & MB 352 | General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| PY 211 | College Physics I | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GN 311 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| PY 212 | College Physics II | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| ANS Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ANS Discipline Course Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| CH 201 & CH 202 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ANS Discipline Course Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 2 | 3 | |
| BCH 351 or BCH 451 | General Biochemistry or Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
| Free Elective 2 | 5 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
ANS 150 Introduction to Animal Science, MA 107 Precalculus I, ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research, and CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science must be completed with a grade of C-minus or higher, and the student should repeat the course in the semester following the initial attempt if less than a C-minus is earned.
- 2
Students are encouraged to take an Ethics course as part of their Humanities, Additional Breadth, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, or Free Electives.
Use of animals and animal specimens is critical to our educational program. To obtain full credit for Animal Science courses, students are required to participate in laboratory procedures involving animals and animal specimens. All activities with live animals are IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) approved. Many lectures also incorporate animals or animal specimens into the course.
Career Opportunities
Career Titles
- Veterinarian
- Animal Physical Therapist
- Animal Science Professor
- Technical Sales Director of Animal Health/Animal Products
Learn More About Careers
NCcareers.org
Explore North Carolina’s central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.
Career One Stop Videos
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Focus 2 Career Assessment (NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your career counselor to discuss the results.
Focus 2 Apply Assessment (Available to prospective students)
A career assessment tool designed to support prospective students in exploring and choosing the right major and career path based on your unique personality, interests, skills and values. Get started with Focus 2 Apply and see how it can guide your journey at NC State.