<p>I am applying to undergrad schools currently and can't decide to major in animal science or biology (or biology with a zoology intent). I was initially interesting in animal science because I thought that would give me more hands on experience with animals, but I'm really not interesting in learning about things like meat production/packaging and things of that nature. I'm a vegetarian and those things will definitely not be enjoyable for me to learn about. As an animal science major do you have to learn about these aspects? Should I major in one of the biological science instead?
I know you don't have to major in these things to get into veterinary schools, but these majors would be what I would major in even if I wasn't interested in becoming a veterinarian.</p>
<p>Some animal science departments have choices of concentrations such as animal health, equine management, and food production. It is possible that you would have to take a class, or even some classes in that topic, but it wouldn’t be the main focus of your degree. You would have to look at what the school offers. </p>
<p>this is the example curriculum. It looks as though not much of it would be production. what is your opinion?
FALL SEMESTER
CREDITS
SPRING SEMESTER
CREDITS
ALS 103 Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture and Life Sciences
ANS 150 Introduction to Animal Science2
ANS 151 Intro to Animal Science Lab
BIO 181 Intro Bio: Ecol, Evol, Biodiv & Lab
ENG 101 Acad Writing & Research2
MA 107 Precalculus I2
1
3
1
4
4
3
Animal Science Course3
BIO 183 Intro Bio: Cell & Molec Biol & Lab
CH 101 Chem – A Molecular Science2
CH 102 General Chemistry Lab
MA 121 Elements of Calculus or
MA 131 Calc for Life & Mgt Sci A
(MA 141 Calculus I is also accepted)
2
4
3
1
3</p>
<p>Total: 16</p>
<p>Total: 13
SOPHOMORE YEAR1
FALL SEMESTER
CREDITS
SPRING SEMESTER
CREDITS
ANS 205 Physiol Domestic Animals
ANS 206 Anatomy Domestic Animals
Interdisciplinary Perspectives GEP Course6,G
ARE 201, EC 201, EC202, or EC 205D
CH 221 Organic Chemistry I
CH 222 Organic Chem I Lab
COM 110, COM 112, or COM 211
3
1
2
3
3
1
3
ANS 220 Reproductive Physiology
ANS 221 Reproductive Physiology Lab
CH 223 Organic Chem II
CH 224 Organic Chem II Lab
ST 311 Intro to Statistics or ST 350
Humanities GEP course6,C
Physical Education/Healthy LivingE
3
1
3
1
3
3
1</p>
<p>Total: 16</p>
<p>Total: 15
JUNIOR YEAR1,7
FALL SEMESTER
CREDITS
SPRING SEMESTER
CREDITS
ANS 230 Animal Nutrition
ANS 231 Animal Nutrition Lab
ANS 215 or Animal Science Course3
MB 351 General Microbiology
MB 352 or MB 354 Microbiology Lab
PY 211 College Physics I & Lab
3
1
3
3
1
4
GN 311 Principles of Genetics
PY 212 College Physics II & Lab
Physical Education/Healthy LivingE
Humanities GEP course6,C
ANS Animal Management Elective4
4
4
1
3
3</p>
<p>Total: 15</p>
<p>Total: 15
SENIOR YEAR1,7
FALL SEMESTER
CREDITS
SPRING SEMESTER
CREDIT</p>
<p>ANS Discipline Course Elective5
Social Science GEP CourseD
CH 201 Chemistry – A Quant Sci
CH 202 Quantitative Chem Lab
Additional Breadth GEP Course6,F
Free Elective6<br>
3
3
3
1
3
3
ANS Management or Discipline Course Elective4,5
Interdisciplinary Perspectives GEP Course6,GBCH 351 or BCH 451, Biochemistry
Free Elective6
3
3
4
5</p>
<p>Total: 16</p>
<p>Most of these classes are not about production as a main topic. Many of these classes are science classes that won’t be animal specific. This doesn’t mean you won’t encounter the subject in a class, either as a lecture or part of a chapter in one of the books. Although there are production classes, there are also classes about domestic animals, and more to choose from as electives. It is possible you may have to take a production class at some point, but you can choose other topics as electives if they are available. </p>
<p>Looking at the classes you posted, I can see from the college that there are three areas of concentrations in animal science: Veterinary Science, Science, Industry/Business- this one would be the food production concentration. The other sections would not have that focus. Most colleges with animal science majors have a pre- health track. </p>
<p>There are many career possibilities with animal science as a major, and so you will likely be exposed to them through the curriculum. The trade off though is a very strong foundation in animal biology. Every major and college degree is probably going to include some classes or topics a student doesn’t like as much, but if you are willing to be exposed to the topic of food production, you would also have the chance to get a good foundation in animal science, health, nutrition and other topics that interest you. </p>