BSc in
B.S. in Animal Science The University of Tennessee Knoxville
Introduction
Building and creating knowledge that integrates biology with animal care and productivity. Biology forms the base of many of the careers you may be interested in – veterinarian, farm manager, scientist, sales, Extension agent, field representative, pre-harvest food safety technician, and nutritionist, to name a few. By combining a core animal science curriculum with a focus on other science, technology, or business-related courses, you can design your own program that best prepares you for your future. To help, we have several concentrations that will help you build your curriculum. If you are in another major, consider a minor in animal science to strengthen your knowledge base.
Classes are only part of the equation to successfully enter a career after college. Real-world experience, such as internships, along with developing communication, leadership, and proactive skills, are also key. A great way to do this → Get InVOLved! A side benefit of getting involved in departmental club activities, research projects, etc., is a stronger relationship with faculty who are great sources for letters of recommendation!
Concentrations
Animal Industries
Great for pursuing careers in multiple agri-businesses – pharmaceutical, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, farm/animal management, pre and post-harvest food safety, among others.
Requires a minor with a business or communication focus.
Requires an internship.
Potential Minors
- Business Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Food and Agricultural Business
- International Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Journalism and Electronic Media
- Natural Resource and Environmental Economics
Bioscience
Great for pursuing graduate school and other professional programs and careers in pre and post-harvest food safety, wildlife, and nutrition, to name a few.
High degree of flexibility.
Consider a minor to provide more in-depth knowledge.
Potential Minors
- Biological Sciences
- Entomology and Plant Pathology
- Environmental and Soil Sciences
- Food Science
- Nutrition
- Plant Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Wildlife and Fisheries Science
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Has key requirements for most veterinary schools.
Add human anatomy and physiology to pursue human medicine
Accelerated Concentrations
Pre-Veterinary Medicine 3+1
Apply to veterinary school after three years. If accepted earn a BS after completion of the first year at UT College of Veterinary Medicine.
Recommended ONLY if you have at least 15-30 hours completed prior to enrolling at UT.
Five-Year BS and MS
For qualified students, the Department of Animal Science offers a Five-Year BS/MS accelerated degree program with a BS major in animal science and a thesis-based MS major in animal science. Central to this program is that a qualified student may take up to nine hours of graduate-level courses for their senior undergraduate electives and have them count toward both the BS degree and the MS degree. Students are typically considered for conditional admission to the program during, or immediately following, their third year of undergraduate study at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Because the MS program requires that a student write a thesis based on original research, efforts related to developing and starting a research-based project in consultation with a graduate advisory committee (that meets MS committee requirements) is required immediately following their third year of undergraduate studies.
Hands-On Learning
- ANSC 420 Reproductive Technologies Lab
- 4-H youth participate in Livestock Judging Contests
- ANSC 380 Animal Health Management
- The Brehm Animal Science Building houses classrooms and the arena
- Identifying uterine microbes in cattle
- Dissecting broiler chick embryos to isolate primary stem cells for in vitro studies of fat and muscle development in Brynn Voy’s research group
- ANSC 280 Livestock Management and Well-Being
- ANSC 484 Caring for Baby Chicks
- ANSC 380 Labs for Animal Health and Management
- Producers viewing bulls before the bull auction at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
- ANSC 281 Lab for Equine Well Being
- ANSC 281 Equine Well-Being
- ANSC 330 Comparative Animal Nutrition Anatomy Lab
- ANSC 380 Animal Health Management
- Animal Holding Area connected to our Brehm Arena
- Extension faculty speaking at the Steak and Potatoes Field Day
- ANSC 485 students get a firsthand look at equine leg anatomy
- ANSC 420 Reproductive Technologies Lab
- Producers participating in the Bull Test Sale at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
- Analyzing a scan of the caudal artery with Doppler ultrasound to determine vessel diameter and blood flow in steers grazing tall fescue
- Working to extract rumen microbial DNA in Phillip Myer’s research group
- Students, youth, agents, and volunteers evaluate horse conformation and performance
- Working with youth as 4-H’ers show their swine during the Swine Show
- Opportunities to study abroad
- Master Dairy training with producers and agents
- Opportunities to present at conferences
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We want the very best and brightest students to join our Volunteer family, and we are ready to invest in your future. The University of Tennessee offers scholarships exclusively for international students including:
- International Volunteer Scholarship ($10,000 - $18,000)
- International Tennessee Explore Scholarship ($4,000 - $7,500)
- International Beacon Scholarship ($4,000 - $18,000)
- Global Ambassador Scholarship ($10,000 - $15,000)
Additionally, there are competitive scholarships, departmental scholarships, honors scholarships, and more! Apply early to be considered for scholarships.
To be considered for competitive scholarships, the deadline is November 1st. For all other scholarships, the deadline is May 1st.
Curriculum
Animal Science
- ANSC 100 - Orientation to Animal Science
- ANSC 150 - Global Animal Agriculture Systems and Society
- ANSC 220 - Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- ANSC 250 - Introduction to Animal Handling and Management
- ANSC 320 - Reproductive Physiology and Lactation
- ANSC 328 - Honors: Reproductive Physiology and Lactation
- ANSC 330 - Comparative Animal Nutrition
- ANSC 338 - Honors: Comparative Animal Nutrition
- ANSC 340 - Animal Breeding and Genetics
- ANSC 348 - Honors: Animal Breeding and Genetics
- ANSC 360 - Equine and Food Animal Evaluation
- ANSC 361 - Livestock Merchandising
- ANSC 380 - Animal Health Management
- ANSC 388 - Honors: Animal Health Management
- ANSC 395 - Careers in Animal Agriculture
- ANSC 420 - Advanced Reproductive Techniques
- ANSC 431 - Comparative Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism
- ANSC 461 - Advanced Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Horse, Poultry, Sheep, and Swine Judging
- ANSC 481 - Beef Cattle Management
- ANSC 482 - Dairy Management
- ANSC 483 - Swine Management
- ANSC 484 - Poultry Management
- ANSC 485 - Equine Management
- ANSC 486 - Sheep and Goat Management
- ANSC 489 - Companion and Exotic Animal Management
- ANSC 492 - Animal Science Experiential Learning
- ANSC 493 - Independent Study in Animal Science
- ANSC 494 - Animal Science Teaching Assistant
- ANSC 495 - Ethics in Animal Agriculture
- ANSC 496 - Equine Industry Tours
- ANSC 499 - Undergraduate Research