Animal Sciences

Admitted students who indicate animal sciences as a major on their applications are directly enrolled into the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. 

Students in the animal sciences major must complete FAES 1100, up to 52 credit hours in the major, 12 to 15 credit hours in a minor (selected at the end of the sophomore year), two credits (200 hours) of internship experience and sufficient electives to make a total of 121 hours of credit for graduation.

Students in the major take core courses that include Animal Handling, Introduction to Animal Sciences (with subsequent laboratory), Animal Systems, Animal Welfare, Animal Physiology, Animal Nutrition, Animal Genetics, Animal Health (small and large animal), a second physiology course, two animal science laboratories (choose between 5 options) and two production and management courses. Beyond these required courses, students work with their advisors to select a series of elective courses that will best prepare them for their career goals.

Within the major, students have the opportunity to specialize in the following areas: animal biosciences, animal industries, veterinary technology and nutrition.

Animal Biosciences Specialization

Students interested in pursuing veterinary medicine or another professional school (medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, etc.) or a graduate school program to pursue a master’s or doctorate, will usually follow this specialization.  This degree offers a minor equivalent that includes the chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, physics, molecular genetics, anatomy, and/or calculus coursework required for professional and graduate school programs.

Animal Industries Specialization

This degree option allows students to select a minor of their choice, and most fits students that want to pursue career opportunities after completion of their B.S. 

Veterinary Technology Specialization

This option allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from The Ohio State University and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Columbus State Community College (CSCC) in a four-year period of time.

Students can obtain the certification or licensure by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners as a veterinary technician. In addition to the typical careers available to animal sciences majors, students may also pursue careers in the field of veterinary medicine such as veterinary technician, animal behavior counselor, biomedical research technologist, laboratory animal manager, veterinary instructor, health technologist, specialty practice technician, and clinic or hospital team leaders and/or staff supervisors.

Students will complete their first year at Ohio State, and the second, third and fourth years are split between Ohio State and CSCC. Students will complete four clinical experiences at private clinical practices, research centers, emergency/specialty hospitals, diagnostic laboratories or zoos. Interested students must attend a mandatory information session at Ohio State in the fall of their freshman year to be considered for the program.

Nutrition Option

Students majoring in animal sciences who are interested in the absorption, metabolism and functions of nutrients may elect to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, an interdisciplinary program involving the departments of animal sciences and human nutrition. This degree includes all courses required for students interested in applying to veterinary, medical, and other allied health schools in addition to the requirements for a graduate school program in science.

Students will select from core courses including Principles of Animal Nutrition, Principles of Animal Systems Physiology, Applied Animal Research Methods Laboratory, Ruminant Nutrition, Nonruminant Nutrition, Nutritional Immunology, Comparative Nutrient Metabolism, and nine elective hours within advanced nutrition and metabolism between animal sciences and human nutrition.

Hands On Learning

Students will experience a very hands-on curriculum right out of the gate, taking the Introduction to Animal Science Laboratory and Animal Handling courses in the first year.

Beginning this fall, we will open the doors of our brand-new $60 million Multispecies Animal Learning Complex and high-tech dairy, which will offer state-of-the-art learning opportunities for our students through many of the courses we teach. These new bio-secure facilities offer not only a large indoor arena space, but also classrooms, laboratories, offices, and a student lounge. Beyond the classroom will be opportunities for students to work at any of our animal barns to gain additional hands-on learning to support their career goals.

Our industry is a global one, and Animal Sciences offers specific opportunities to learn how other countries value, manage, and market animals and/or their products. Animal Science study abroad experiences are all faculty/staff led programs that offer academic credit for participating. These winter break, spring break, and summer programs go to several different parts of Europe including Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Scotland.

There are many scholarship opportunities to help support students experience these international learning opportunities within the university, college and department, which makes traveling abroad an affordable experience.

Students are required to complete at least 200 hours of internship experience to graduate within the College. Our students have completed internships throughout the 50 states and several countries around the globe for their academic credit. 

We offer an internal database of internships students have completed in the past, but also additional resources through their advisor, student newsletters, club meetings and career expos each semester for students to connect with future employers. Students may also choose to participate in research internships with opportunities to present their research both locally and nationally.

Animal science majors are encouraged to participate in research. We offer paid summer research program that connects students with faculty to conduct research across species in development and physiology, nutrition and microbiome, welfare and human-animal interactions, and animal health and disease.

Students learn to analyze and interpret research findings and present their research at campus, regional, or national research conferences. Students that complete a research project can graduate with research distinction and may be eligible to publish their work in a peer-reviewed journal.

Students can gain valuable critical thinking and communication skills through the Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Meat, Poultry, Animal Welfare Judging Teams as well as the Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon.

Animal sciences students can gain soft skills and a community by joining the Animal Interactions and Welfare Club, Buckeye Dairy Science Club, Buckeye Bunnies, Equine Club, Meat Science Club, the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association, Poultry Science Club, Saddle and Sirloin, and/or the department's student leadership team, the Animal Science Community Alliance.

Students may prepare themselves for a variety of careers in science, business, or even communications and education. Graduates find employment in research laboratories, biotechnical industries, chemical/pharmaceutical companies, genetics and nutrition companies, reproductive services, allied industry associations, government agencies and in meat science/food processing organizations. 

Many students continue their education for a professional or graduate degree. Veterinary medicine and graduate studies in the animal sciences are the two most common pursuits for further education, but students can continue their study in law, human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and optometry. 

Beginning annual salaries for recent graduates average $45,000 annually. However, most graduates will have the potential to earn $60,000 within five years of experience.