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Animal Biosciences

Animal Biosciences: youtube.com/watch?v=H7oLUEry6RE

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Department of Animal and Food Sciences

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Hands-on experience + research

Earn a life science degree with the added benefits of extensive hands-on animal experience. Our students work both in the laboratory and animal-based research projects. Animal bioscientists answer questions related to how animals and animal systems function, solving problems related to producing healthy and productive livestock and companion animals. Students interested in the fundamental biology of any kind of animal will find this a focused, practical major with a variety of in-demand career options available after graduation. Graduates are prepared to pursue post-graduate, research-based degrees (M.S. and/or Ph.D.) in animal biosciences. The curriculum includes an animal science core (anatomy, nutrition, physiology, health, disease, genetics and behavior) complemented by animal biosciences interest areas — animal nutrition, animal physiology and animal health.

Career paths

Government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration or Center for Veterinary Medicine
Private animal nutrition or animal pharmaceutical company
University research and education

Graduate programs

Animal science (animal nutrition, animal physiology or animal genetics)
Microbiology
Biology
Animal health (animal immunology or animal virology)

What’s special about this program?

Students will develop expertise in the interest area of their choice to enhance their application for graduate programs in that area. The curriculum also includes prerequisite courses suggested for admission to graduate programs in animal science and in biology (calculus, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology). Among our faculty, animal bioscientists are engaged in research and education in animal nutrition, animal diseases, animal immunology and animal genetics.

Get Involved

Ag Ambassadors

Agricultural College Council (AgCC)

Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity (AGR)

Alpha Zeta (AZ)

American Society of Landscape Architects Student Chapter

Animal Science Club

Beekeeping Club

Blue Hen Birding

Collegiate 4-H

Collegiate FFA

Entomology Club

Equestrian Team

Food Marketing Club

Food Recovery Network

Food Science Club

Horticulture Club

Hydroponics Club

Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANNRS)

Pre-Veterinary Club

Philadelphia Flower Show Club

Sigma Alpha Sorority (SA)

Students for the Environment

The Wildlife Society

Sample curriculum

FRESHMAN

ANFS 101

Animals, Science and Society (3 cr.)

ANFS 111

Animal and Food Science Laboratory (1 cr.)

CHEM 103 or CHEM 107

General Chemistry or General Chemistry for Life Sciences I (4 cr.)

MATH 221

Calculus I (3 cr.)

Breadth Requirement (1/3)

First Year Seminar

ANFS 240

Functional Anatomy of Domestic Animals (4 cr.)

BISC 207

Introductory Biology I (4 cr.)

ENGL 110

Seminar in Composition (3 cr.)

CHEM 104 or CHEM 108

General Chemistry or General Chemistry for Life Sciences II (4 cr.)

SOPHOMORE

STAT 200

Basic Statistical Practice (3 cr.)

ANFS 345

Introduction to Animal Physiology (1 cr.)

AGRI 224

One Health (3 cr.)

CHEM 321

Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)

CHEM 325

Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 cr.)

Breadth Requirement (2/3)

ANFS 251

Animal Nutrition (4 cr.)

ANFS 265

Perspectives in Career and Professional Development (1 cr.)

BISC 208

Introductory Biology II (4 cr.)

CHEM 322

Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)

CHEM 326

Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr.)

Breadth Requirement (3/3)

JUNIOR

ANFS 332	Introduction to Animal Diseases (3 cr.)
ANFS 310	Animal and Plant Genetics Laboratory (1 cr.)
ANFS 350	Animal Behavior (3 cr.)
BISC 300	Introduction to Microbiology (4 cr.)
Free Elective (1/6)
Interest Area (1/3)
ANFS 310	Animal and Plant Genetics Laboratory (1 cr.)
PLSC 300	Principles of Animal and Plant Genetics (3 cr.)
ANFS 475 or CHEM 527	Veterinary Biochemistry or Biochemistry (3 cr.)
ANFS 450	Applied Biomedical Communication (3 cr.)
Interest Area (2/3)
Free Elective (2/6)