Is Animal science a good major?

Is Animal science a good major?

If you love animals and want to spend your life working with them, Animal science is a good major for you. If you are interested in the efficient production of food animals, processing and consumption of high-quality meats and dairy products, use of companion animals for recreation or leisure purposes, or the maintenance of animal health and well-being, then a major in animal science may be your key to a rewarding future.

Animal Science is a good major that provides students with an industry-oriented, science-based education that prepares them for careers in animal agriculture or one of many industries associated with livestock production. The Animal Science curriculum focuses on in-depth scientific knowledge of food-producing Animal physiology and function and how to relate those scientific principles to animal production.

Students who consider this major typically don’t picture themselves just working behind a desk solving problems; they are people who like hands-on problem-solving.

Graduates of Animal Science are in demand to provide information on the availability of farm products (e.g. feed, equipment, etc.) and to formulate nutrition and health programs that lead to the efficient production of healthy animals. Others pursue careers in food processing and areas as different as Cooperative Extension, journalism, quality control, and the inspection and grading of meat, milk, and eggs.

Animal scientists with a background in molecular biology, microbiology, or genetics are in demand for laboratory work in universities and the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry. Furthermore, with additional education and graduate degrees, more opportunities in research, teaching, extension, and veterinary medicine become available.

Career opportunities in Animal Science Major:

What can I do after Animal science? There is a wide range of future career options in many sectors. Animal science graduates work for the  government and in the private sector, for non-profit organizations, environmental organizations, and in international development, as well as in the multibillion-dollar agri-food industry

• Academic researcher
• Animal nutritionist
• Animal physiotherapist
• Animal technician
• Nature conservation officer
• Zookeeper
• Zoologist
• Agricultural Insurance Specialist
• Agricultural Finance Specialist
• Agricultural Real Estate Specialist
• Animal Welfare Specialist
• Animal Care Specialist
• Animal Sales
• Artificial Insemination Technician
• Breed Analyst
• Breed Association Sales/Promotion
• Cell Culture Specialist
• Companion Animal Store Manager
• Dairy Unit Herdsman/Manager
• Embryo Transfer Technician
• Equipment Sales Representative
• Equitation Instructor
• Extension Educator
• Farm Building Salesman
• Farm Cooperative Manager
• Feed Sales/Consultant
• Food Processing Manager
• Food Product Development/Researcher
• Horse Farm Trainer/Manager
• Horse Breeder and Trainer
• Journalist
• Laboratory Animal Technician/Manager
• Livestock Herdsman/Manager
• Manager Boarding/Training Facility
• Marketing Specialist Meat Packing/Processing Specialist
• Meat/Milk/Feed Testing Service
• Pharmaceutical Sales/Service
• Poultry Unit Manager
• Public Relations
• Quality Assurance Specialist
• Research Farm Manager
• Technical Services Representative
• USDA Meat Inspection/Grading Services
• Veterinary Technician
• Zoo Animal Specialist

Some classes Animal science majors may likely take:

• Animal Science
• Animal Management
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Farm Animal Care & Welfare
• Cell & Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Animal Nutrition
• Integrated Experience
• Physiology of Reproduction
• Wildlife Reproduction
• Molecular Immunology
• Infection and Immunity
• Physiology of Reproduction
• General Chemistry

What other majors are related to Animal science?

• Animal behavior and ethology
• Animal genetics
• Animal physiology
• Animal-assisted therapy
• Animal/livestock husbandry and production

 

Course difficult	45%  ℹ️ In terms of curriculum, assignments, duration, and examination(internal and entrance) Animal science holds 45% difficulty
Acceptance rate	61% ℹ️ Competition to get into the Animal science major is low. 23 out of 100 students apply for Animal science major yearly.
Relevance metric	75%  ℹ️ When compared to other majors in terms of economic impact, job availability, standardization, literature and research work, Animal science has 75% relevance
Job availability	68%
Estimated number of student	Nil
Colleges with Animal science Major	60+ ℹ️ There are over 60 schools offering Animal science in the United States. Schools include universities, colleges, and polytechnics. See schools here

 

References:

• Major in Animal Science – General Catalog
• What can I do with an animal science and management degree?
• What is Animal Science?