Animal Sciences, B.S.

Animal Sciences students focus on the biology of domesticated animals, including cattle, swine, sheep, horses, poultry, and goats,as well as discoveries in animal biologics and meat derived from the traditional meat animal species. Some attention is directed toward the companion animal species, including dogs and cats. The major emphasizes integration of biological principles from the gene to the organ to the herd or flock. Core courses in the major include animal breeding, veterinary genetics, animal physiology, reproductive physiology, comparative animal nutrition, animal health, and meat science. Additional courses include career orientation, animal handling, assessing animal welfare, biology of companion animals, composition of meat animals, human/animal symbiosis, ruminant nutrition, monogastric nutrition, beef cattle production, swine production, animal growth and development, and livestock production in agricultural development.

The major offers a science track which includes biochemistry, math, physics, and organic chemistry for students with interests in postgraduate work in veterinary medicine, animal science, medicine, or other graduate programs. The major also offers a business emphasis which includes economics, accounting, marketing, farm management, commodity markets, agricultural finance, and other courses from the School of Business.

A student majoring in Animal Sciences is placed in the Bachelor of Science degree program. Completion of the degree program in four years is the norm.

1. (Knowledge and comprehension) Develop the working vocabulary of an animal scientist, a working knowledge of the basic anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, and genetics of animal and meat biology, and the applied nutrition, breeding, product harvest and processing skills, necessary to manage animal production systems. Demonstrate knowledge through rigorous examination and demonstration through hands-on instructional laboratory activities.
2. (Analytical processing) Develop the ability to reduce complex datasets and scientific information into meaningful relationships and correlations, and using the scientific literature, develop hypotheses to test the cause of predicted relationships using the scientific method. Demonstrate skills through a senior capstone experience and through individualized research opportunities and instructional activities.
3. (Integration for application) Apply knowledge to develop solutions to real world problems. Identify problems yet to be investigated and in need of advanced study. Ability to integrate and apply knowledge is demonstrated through our internship programs, animal related job experiences, club activities, and problems sets that students solve in exams and laboratory settings.
4. (Critical thinking) Find their sources of information using peer reviewed research articles. Learn not only to question popular press, but understand that even in the scientific literature there are contradictory findings. Capacity to synthesize scientific literature such that they can communicate a position backed with strong scientific support. Skills are demonstrated through the reading, writing and discussion of science-based papers in key courses during their educational process and through an oral presentation in their capstone course.
5. (Effective communication) Communicate, both in writing and orally, the science behind the biology and management of domestically farmed animals. Communications provide new insights into animal production, and are explained in a manner fitting with the audience. Ability to communicate is measured by their effectiveness in presenting research posters and presentations, their analysis of the literature in papers and presentations in class and during their senior capstone course.

All undergraduate students at UW–Madison must complete the university-wide General Education Requirements, which are designed to convey the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. These requirements provide for breadth across the humanities and arts, social studies, and natural sciences; competence in communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills necessary for success in college and beyond; and investigation of the issues raised by living in a culturally diverse society. This core is intended to provide students with intellectual and practical skills, basic knowledge of human cultures and the physical world, strategies for understanding these topics, and tools intended to contribute to their sense of personal and social responsibility. General Education complements the work students do in their majors and degrees. Together, these requirements help students learn what they need to know not just for making a living, but also for making a life.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Each school and college may choose to allow General Education courses to count toward other degree and/or major requirements. Students should always check with their advisors to discuss any additional degree requirements and determine if students are required to take specific General Education courses or to complete the requirements in a particular order. Students should review their Degree Audit (DARS) report to see how they are progressing toward fulfilling the General Education requirements. Please refer to.

All students receive individualized advising from their academic advisor. Students are assigned an academic advisor upon declaration of the major and are expected to meet with their advisor each semester before registering for courses in the upcoming semester.  Academic advisors will assist students in developing an individualized, four-year curricular plan. Internships and research experience are encouraged. Numerous graduates have completed double majors with Life Sciences Communication, Genetics and Genomics, and departments outside of CALS such as Spanish, according to the interests and aspirations of the student. Interested students should contact J. Liv Sandberg  (608-263-4303) with questions.

Career opportunities exist in the meat, reproductive technology, feed, agribusiness, agri-marketing, and biotechnology industries. Occasionally, students have found positions within zoos. Many students pursue graduate education in veterinary medicine, animal science, medicine, or other programs.