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Department of Animal Sciences
Rutgers logo
Department of Animal Sciences
Rutgers logo
Department of Animal Sciences
Rutgers logo
Department of Animal Sciences

The Animal Sciences Major

Any student enrolled in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) may declare their major as Animal Sciences. In order to receive a Bachelor of Science degree, SEBS requires 120 credits be completed upon graduation.

Required Courses

All students who declare an Animal Sciences major must complete the following core coursework in addition to the core requirements for SEBS:

Options

The Animal Sciences major has four different curriculum options available to undergraduate students. The coursework specific to each option are listed below.

Additionally, each major option now has a checklist associated with it. These checklists can be used to: (1) understand the requirements for each option; and (2) track degree progression. Don't forget to continually check Degree Navigator as that is the official program for degree completion!

  • This option provides rigorous instruction and experience in the biological and molecular basis of animal sciences, preparing students for veterinary, medical, or graduate studies.

    Preveterinary Medicine & Research Curriculum Progression Checklist

    • Organic Chemistry and Lab (01:160:307, 308, 311)
    • General Biochemistry (11:115:403 & 404)
    • General Microbiology (11:680:390 OR 01:447:390)
    • Basic Statistics for Research (01:960:401)
    • Calculus (01:640:135 OR 151)
    • Physics I, II, and Lab (01:750:193, 194 OR 203-206 OR 201 & 202)
    • Three (3) Preveterinary Course Electives
    • Seven (7) credits of Experience-Based Education
    • Six (6) credits of Advisor-Approved Electives

  • Focusing on the health and well-being of companion animals, this option offers instruction and practical experience in areas such as nutrition, reproduction, physiology, and behavior, equipping students for careers in managing commercial or non-profit companion animal enterprises.

    Companion Animal Science Curriculum Progression Checklist

  • This option combines instruction and practical experience in equine and production animal science—including selection, breeding, nutrition, physiology, and behavior—with business courses, providing the knowledge and skills needed to manage commercial or research enterprises in the horse and livestock industries.

    Equine & Production Animal Science Curriculum Progression Checklist

    • Precalculus (01:640:111 & 112 OR 115) OR Calculus (01:640:135 OR 151) AND Introductory Statistics for Business (01:960:285)
    • Microeconomics (11:373:121 OR 01:220:102)
    • Macroeconomics (11:373:122 OR 01:220:103)
    • Introduction to Marketing (11:373:231)
    • Introduction to Management (11:373:241)
    • Introduction to Financial Accounting (33:010:272)
    • Production Horse Management (11:067:336)
    • Horse Management (11:067:384)
    • Farm Productivity and Analysis (11:067:406)
    • Six (6) Equine and Production Animal Science Course Electives
    • Seven (7) credits of Experiential Learning Courses
    • Six (6) credits of Animal Science Electives

  • Offering instruction and practical experience in research techniques and the care and use of laboratory animals, this option prepares students for careers in animal care programs and research laboratories, particularly within the pharmaceutical and related industries.

    Laboratory Animal Science Curriculum Progression Checklist