Bachelor of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University
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    Bachelor of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University

    Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    United States of America
    United States of America, University Park
    University Rank:#82
    Bachelor of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University

    The Animal Science is a Bachelor degree offered by Pennsylvania State University across its Main Site, Any Penn State Campus, and University Park campuses in United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 4 years to complete. Students study across its Main Site, Any Penn State Campus, and University Park campuses while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from June 1, 2027.

    About Bachelor of Animal Science

    Animal Science focuses on the science and business of producing domestic livestock species, including but not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, swine and companion animals. This discipline applies principles of biological, physical and social sciences to problems associated with production and management of animals. Animal Science also has a strong focus on food with animal origin including meat, milk and eggs.

    Animal Scientists work in efficient production of food animals, processing of high-quality meats and dairy products, use of companion animals for recreation, maintenance of animal health and well-being and many other areas. A growing population with limited land provide complex challenges in the area of Animal Science. This discipline requires highly trained professionals who can identify opportunities and provide innovative solutions.

    You Might Like this Program If...

    • You want a career working with animals
    • You want a hands-on, experiential learning curriculum with exposure to multiple domestic species
    • Your interests lie in applied biology
    • You are interested in efficiently providing safe, nutritious food to a growing world population
    • You like both animals and business
    • Your interests are in the practical application of science, business, and animals

    Animal Science is the study and integration of the biology and management of animals, highlighted by the disciplines of nutrition, physiology, reproduction, genetics, and behavior. Animals provide companionship, food, and fiber, as well as serving as valuable research models. The Animal Science major offers both coursework and hands-on experiences that develop students' ability to work with and care for animals.

    The educational experiences included in this major should prepare the student for a wide range of positions in production agriculture agribusiness, and related industries, and provide preparation for the pursuit of post-baccalaureate studies leading to professional or advanced degrees. The student is expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of the biological and physical sciences underlying the functioning of all types of animals.

    Realizing the wide range of career possibilities requiring diverse types of academic preparation, two options of study are available: the Business and Animal Management Option and the Science Option.

    Business and Animal Management Option

    The primary objective of this option is to prepare the student for positions in agribusiness organizations and in the animal, food and allied industries. The student may develop a program with species specialization or diversity. The student may develop a foundation in accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and other business-related areas. Graduates seek employment opportunities as:

    • management trainees, or assistant managers of animal production units or processing plants, and roles in government agencies;
    • animal caretakers at zoos or shelters;
    • technical service and sales representatives or quality assurance managers for pharmaceutical, agri-chemical, feed or food producing companies;
    • loan officers with financial institutions;
    • field representatives for breed organizations or producer cooperatives;
    • public relations and human resources personnel for agribusiness companies;
    • and management trainees for numerous agribusiness firms.

    Science Option

    The primary objective of this option is to prepare the student for entry into post-baccalaureate study programs in animal and related biological sciences. Graduates who have obtained the proper qualifications may pursue advanced degrees in a wide variety of disciplines, including animal science, biotechnology, genetics, microbiology, nutrition, physiology, molecular biology, pharmaceutical research, and veterinary medicine. Graduates not desiring to pursue advanced studies seek employment opportunities in biomedical research, as research or quality assurance technicians, technical service representatives for various industrial companies, food inspectors, laboratory animal caretakers, and public relations personnel.

    • Animal Agriculture Issues: Actively and effectively discuss complex animal agriculture issues including:
      • The economic, environmental, animal welfare and societal impacts of animal production at both local and global levels.
      • The role of science in informing debates in animal agriculture.
    • Scientific Literature and Resources: Locate, critically evaluate, and apply information related to animal science from scientific literature and other resources.
    • Communication: Communicate effectively and professionally with a variety of audiences in both written and oral formats.
    • Comprehensive Knowledge: Apply comprehensive knowledge from areas in animal science including genetics, reproduction, behavior, nutrition, animal products, husbandry and business/farm management.

    Disciplines

    Agricultural Sciences

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University

    Entry Requirements

    Penn State requires the submission of specific academic credentials to complete your application. Review the secondary and post-secondary requirements for your country below.

    If you are a first year student applying to Penn State:

    Click Apply to start your Penn State application. Before starting, you can also review the Applying Online Worksheet for more details and helpful hints about the application.

    Your application work can be saved at each step of the process by clicking the Save and Continue button at the bottom of the page. This feature will allow you to move back and forth within the application or log off and return to complete your application at a later time.

    After completing your Academic History, you will need to provide your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). As you begin the SRAR process, a new window will open allowing you to complete your SRAR. SRAR will focus on your high school coursework. It is important that this step is a complete and accurate representation of your school record. Therefore, have a copy of your secondary school records available as you complete your SRAR. You will need to enter every class and every grade earned for the last three years, as well as those classes in progress.

    After completing your SRAR, you will be directed back to the Penn State application in order to complete the Program of Study portion of the application. Here, you will indicate your desired starting semester, your intended program of study, and your starting and ending campus. For further details on how to complete this portion based on your applicant type, please see the steps to apply for first-year students.

    After completing this section of the application, you will provide some additional information, an activities resume, and a personal statement. You will be able to paste in this information from other sources, but note that the formatting may not always paste in as intended.

    If you are a transfer student applying to Penn State:

    All international transfer students will be required to submit official high school transcripts in order to complete the application. International transfer students will not complete the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) for either their high school or college coursework.

    If you have accepted your offer of admission to Penn State:

    If you completed SRAR and are accepted to Penn State, please provide the following for grade verification:

    • Official transcript from years 9, 10, 11, and 12. If the transcript is issued in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a separate line-by-line English translation.
    • Official copy of the Tawjihi, accompanied by a separate line-by-line English translation.

    English Requirements

    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Career Opportunities after Completing Bachelor of Animal Science

    Science Option graduates enter careers in biomedical or agricultural research, food safety, technical service, vivarium management, and government service. Business/Management Option graduates find careers in allied industry sales (feed, pharmaceuticals, etc.); agricultural finance and credit; industry relations and communications; farm management; animal caretaking at zoos and shelters; and food safety and quality assurance.

    Opportunities for Graduate Studies

    • Veterinary or other life science professional school
    • Graduate studies in multiple fields of biological and life sciences (genetics, nutrition, reproduction, behavior, physiology, and health)
    • Graduate studies in production and management of domestic food animal species
    • Graduate studies in food product production and safety
    • Graduate studies in linked agricultural fields (agricultural business management, agronomy, agricultural education, etc.)

    Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University

    Application Fee 75

    How to Apply for Bachelor of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University

    Step 1: Choose Your Application Method

    Apply through MyPennState

    The first step of the application process is to create a Penn State account, if you do not have one already. MyPennState is where future students can access the online application.

    If you are new to MyPennState, you will need to establish a Penn State User ID and password, which you will access during the MyPennState profile creation process. Once you have your log in information, you can sign in to begin work on your application.

    When creating the profile, please use the name that is on your passport. Because materials are filed alphabetically under the family name on the application, it is important that all correspondence and records consistently use the same name (family and given) and spelling. If this name does not match your academic records, please notify us of the difference. Please note: In the U.S., the family name is usually referred to as the last name, and the given name is referred to as the first name.

    Additionally, Penn State requires a current, valid email address, as that is our primary means of communication with international students. To ensure deliverability, please make Penn State (psu.edu) an eligible sender to the account.

    Applying through the Common App

    Applying to Penn State via the Common App is available to first-year (freshman) international students. If applying through the Common App, Penn State will create a MyPennState profile when the application is submitted and you will receive instructions on how to access your profile. If you intend to apply with the Common App, you do not need create a MyPennState profile prior to submitting your application.

    Step 2: Access the Application and Review Important Dates

    While you can create a MyPennState profile at any time, the application for admission becomes available on the following dates:

    Fall/Summer Admission: August 1

    Spring Admission: June 1

    The application submission dates vary by applicant type and intended program of study. Some programs have specific deadlines or admissions requirements. Please refer to our Dates & Deadlines for more information about application deadlines, as well as our Admissions Requirements to review information about any additional materials required for your intended program of study.

    Step 3: Start Your Penn State Application

    If applying through MyPennState:

    Click Apply Online to start your Penn State application. 

    Your application work can be saved at each step of the process by clicking the "Save and Continue" button at the bottom of the page. This feature will allow you to move back and forth within the application or log off and return to complete your application at a later time.

    After completing your Academic History, you will need to provide your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR), unless otherwise directed. You will be directed to enter information about your secondary school coursework. Please have a copy of your secondary school records as you complete SRAR. It is important that this step is a complete and accurate representation of your school record. You will need to enter every grade for every course you have taken in the last three years, as well as your current schedule of classes.

    Students educated in South Korea will not complete SRAR. The document requirements for South Korea can be found by reviewing our International Credential Requirements.

    After this section, you will be directed back to the Penn State application to complete the Program of Study portion. Here, you will indicate your desired starting semester, your intended program of study, and your starting and ending campus. For further details on how to complete this portion based on your applicant type, please see the steps to apply for either first-year students or transfer students.

    After this portion, you will provide some additional application information, an activities resume, and a personal statement. You will be able to paste in this information from other sources, but note that the formatting may not always paste in as intended.

    If applying through the Common App:

    Complete the Common App, which will then direct you to MyPennState to complete SRAR. Applicants using the Common App may feel that they provided their high school record via the Common App, but Penn State requires the completion of SRAR via MyPennState. We strongly encourage you to obtain an official copy of your high school transcript to ensure accurate entry of your coursework completed and grades earned. The SRAR will include all of your high school coursework from your last three years of work and your current year schedule. If your final year grades are available when you enter SRAR, you can enter them at that time.

    Step 4: Submit Your Application

    The application requires a nonrefundable application fee of $75 for international students. Be sure to complete the last step after Summary and Review, which finalizes payment of your fee, and be certain it is successfully submitted. Once the application is submitted, you can verify its completion by accessing your MyPennState profile.

    Step 5: Submit Required Application Materials

    In order to complete your Penn State application, we need the following materials:

    • Application
    • Secondary school record
    • Post-secondary school records (if applicable)
    • First-year applicants only: Official test scores: SAT (code #2660) or ACT (code #3656)

      Writing Component and Subject Tests

      Please note: The writing component of standardized tests (SAT or ACT) is not required. The writing component will not be used as part of our evaluation. If your test scores include the writing component, by all means, have those scores sent to Penn State. Additionally, we do not require SAT Subject Tests.

    • English language proficiency, if your native language is not English

    Please see the admissions requirements for international students to review the details about the required application materials. Some programs require additional items to complete your application. Please review our Admissions Requirements for those details.

    Penn State does not require letters of recommendation, nor are they used in a student’s evaluation (unless required for a specific program).

    Step 6: Check Your Application Status in MyPennState

    You can always check the status of your application in MyPennState. We will communicate with you via MyPennState and through a series of emails regarding the missing items for your application. When everything has arrived, you will see a status in MyPennState confirming the completion of your application.

    Please note: It is your responsibility to check on the status of your application and send us any missing materials.

    Step 7: Receive Your Admission Decision

    Once we have reached a decision regarding your application, we will update your status in MyPennState and provide a printable PDF of your decision letter. Review our Dates & Deadlines to see when you should expect your decision.

    If accepted, you can accept your offer of admission in MyPennState to begin the process of becoming a Penn State student. Visit our Accepted Students section to review the next steps in this process. Once you accept your offer of admission to Penn State, those students completing SRAR will submit their official records for validation purposes as soon as possible.

    Bachelor of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    United States of America

    United States of America, University Park

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