OVERVIEW
Studying the biology of domesticated animals helps us better understand their health. The major addresses important issues related to animal health and welfare, biomedical advancements, food safety, precision livestock farming, and land and water stewardship.
Students in the animal sciences major learn about cattle, swine, sheep, horses, poultry, and goats, as well as companion animals. They also examine recent discoveries connecting human and animal health.
The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences is home to the undergraduate program in animal sciences. It produces skilled leaders in animal agriculture and sustainable food systems while embracing innovation and technology. A 10:1 student-faculty ratio and small classes allow for meaningful connections among students and instructors.
Students can take courses on an assortment of topics including animal breeding, veterinary genetics, animal health and welfare, animal nutrition, and companion animals including dogs and cats, and more. The major offers a science-focused path for students interested in veterinary medicine, animal science, medicine, or other graduate programs. Students can also focus on the business of animal sciences with classes in economics, accounting, marketing, farm management, and other courses.
Learn through hands-on, real world experiences
The program emphasizes hands-on learning, and students choose from more than a dozen lab courses covering animal handling, reproductive biology, veterinary genetics, meat processing, animal welfare, and more. Field courses look at international agriculture and sustainability. The department encourages animal sciences majors to get involved with internships and research with faculty and staff.
Build community and networks
Animal sciences majors find a welcoming community where professors know their students and can provide guidance based on their specific goals. Outside of the classroom, students can join several student organizations including the Pre Vet Club, Badger Meat Science Club, Saddle and Sirloin Club, and Poultry Club. Competitions, such as animal welfare assessment and meat judging offer students unique networking experiences in the industry.
Customize a path of study
The variety of classes in the department, including paths that emphasize science or business, allows animal sciences students to customize their coursework to fit their career goals. Students can elect to complete Honors in Animal Sciences.
Make a strong start
The department offers an introductory seminar course that helps students maximize their education, develop professional skills, and make informed decisions about their classes, internships, and career opportunities.
Gain global perspective
Students are encouraged to study abroad; the department offers globally focused courses that look at livestock production, health, animal agriculture, and sustainable development. Students can explore studying abroad as an Animal Sciences major utilizing the Animal Sciences Major Advising Page. Students work with their advisor and the CALS study abroad office to identify appropriate programs.
To declare this major, students must be admitted to UW–Madison and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). For information about becoming a CALS first-year or transfer student, see Entering the College.
Students who attend Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have the option to declare this major at SOAR. Students may otherwise declare after they have begun their undergraduate studies. For more information, contact the advisor listed in the Contact Box for the major.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires 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. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements
In addition to the University General Education Requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements (General Education and Breadth) or within college requirements (First-Year Seminar, International Studies, Science, and Capstone), but courses counted toward university requirements may also be used to satisfy a college and/or a major requirement; similarly, courses counted toward college requirements may also be used to satisfy a university and/or a major requirement.
College Requirements for all CALS B.S. Degree Programs
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Work: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation. | ||
| Residency: Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison after earning 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree. | ||
| First Year Seminar | 1 | |
| International Studies | 3 | |
| Physical Science Fundamentals | 4-5 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
or CHEM 108 | Chemistry in Our World | |
or CHEM 109 | Advanced General Chemistry | |
| Biological Science | 5 | |
| Additional Science (Biological, Physical, or Natural) | 3 | |
| Science Breadth (Biological, Physical, Natural, or Social) | 3 | |
| CALS Capstone Learning Experience: included in the requirements for each CALS major (see "Major Requirements") | ||
Major Requirements
Courses may not double count within the major (unless specifically noted otherwise), but courses counted toward the major requirements may also be used to satisfy a university requirement and/or a college requirement. A minimum of 15 credits must be completed in the major that are not used elsewhere.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following (or may be satisfied by placement exam): 1 | 5-6 | |
| Algebra and Trigonometry | ||
| Algebra and Trigonometry | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Statistical Methods | ||
| Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Select one of the following: | 5-10 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | ||
| Advanced General Chemistry | ||
| Biology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 13 | |
| Option 1: | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| Animal Biology | ||
| Animal Biology Laboratory | ||
| General Botany | ||
| Option 3: | ||
| Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics | ||
| Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Cellular Biology | ||
| Cellular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Genetics | ||
| GENETICS 466 | Principles of Genetics | 3 |
| Animal Sciences Core 2 | ||
| AN SCI/DY SCI 101 | Introduction to Animal Sciences | 3 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 102 | Introduction to Animal Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| AN SCI/FOOD SCI 305 | Introduction to Meat Science and Technology | 4 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI/NUTR SCI 311 | Comparative Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 320 | Animal Health and Disease | 3 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 361 | Introduction to Animal and Veterinary Genetics | 2 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 362 | Veterinary Genetics | 2 |
| or AN SCI/DY SCI 363 | Principles of Animal Breeding | |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 373 | Animal Physiology | 3 |
| or AN SCI/DY SCI 434 | Reproductive Physiology | |
| Animal Science Depth | ||
| Select 12 credits from animal science depth courses 2 | 12 | |
| Emphasis | ||
| Select an emphasis | 24-25 | |
| Capstone | ||
| AN SCI 435 | Animal Sciences Proseminar | 2 |
| Total Credits | 88-96 | |
- 1
Science Emphasis students may choose to complete MATH 171 Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry I and MATH 217 Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II in place of MATH 114 Algebra and Trigonometry and MATH 221 Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1.
- 2
A course cannot be used for credit in both the Core and Depth within major sections.
Depth Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | ||
| AN SCI/FOOD SCI 321 | Food Laws and Regulations | 1 |
| AN SCI 336 | Animal Growth and Development | 3 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 362 | Veterinary Genetics | 2 |
| or AN SCI/DY SCI 363 | Principles of Animal Breeding | |
| AN SCI 366 | Concepts in Genomics | 3 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 370 | Livestock Production and Health in Agricultural Development 1 | 3 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 373 | Animal Physiology | 3 |
| or AN SCI/DY SCI 434 | Reproductive Physiology | |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 414 | Ruminant Nutrition & Metabolism | 3 |
| AN SCI 415 | Application of Monogastric Nutrition Principles | 2 |
| AN SCI 431 | Beef Cattle Production | 3 |
| AN SCI 432 | Swine Production | 3 |
| DY SCI/AGRONOMY 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI/FOOD SCI/SOIL SCI 472 | Animal Agriculture and Global Sustainable Development | 1 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI/FOOD SCI/SOIL SCI 473 | International Field Study in Animal Agriculture and Sustainable Development | 2 |
| AN SCI/FOOD SCI 515 | Commercial Meat Processing | 2 |
| Up to 3 credits from courses listed below can go toward the required 12 credits of depth: | 3 | |
| Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education | ||
| Senior Honor Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Special Problems | ||
- 1
Meets CALS International Studies requirement.
Emphasis Courses
Science Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 221 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 | 5 |
| or MATH 217 | Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II | |
| PHYSICS 103 | General Physics | 4 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| BIOCHEM 501 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| or BMOLCHEM 503 | ||
| Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Biology of Microorganisms | ||
| Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| General Physics | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Business Emphasis
Up to two courses may be applied to Certificate in Business Mgmt. for Ag. & Life Sciences.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A A E 215 | Introduction to Agricultural and Applied Economics 1 | 4 |
| or ECON 101 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| A A E 320 | Agricultural Systems Management | 3 |
| A A E 322 | Commodity Markets | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Fundamentals of Accounting and Finance for Non-Business Majors | ||
| Fundamentals of Management and Marketing for Non-Business Majors | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of Biochemistry | ||
| Elementary Organic Chemistry | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry | ||
| Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Agricultural Finance | ||
| Introductory Financial Accounting | ||
or ACCT I S 300 | Accounting Principles | |
| Plant Nutrition Management | ||
| Introduction to Finance | ||
| Managing Organizations | ||
| Marketing Management | ||
| Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II | ||
or MATH 221 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 | |
| Biology of Microorganisms | ||
| Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory | ||
| General Physics | ||
| General Soil Science | ||
| Total Credits | 26 | |
- 1
A A E 215 Introduction to Agricultural and Applied Economics not accepted as a prerequisite for some advanced Business courses.
Honors in the Major
Students admitted to the university and to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are invited to apply to be considered for admission to the CALS Honors Program.
Admission Criteria for New First-Year Students:
- Complete program application including essay questions
Admission Criteria for Transfer and Continuing UW-Madison Students:
- UW-Madison cumulative GPA of at least 3.25
- Complete program application including essay questions
How to Apply
The application is available on the CALS Honors Program website. Applications are accepted at any time.
New first-year students with accepted applications will automatically be enrolled in Honors in Research. It is possible to switch to Honors in the Major in the student’s first semester on campus after receiving approval from the advisor for that major. Transfer and continuing students may apply directly to Honors in Research or Honors in the Major (after approval from the major advisor).
Requirements
All CALS Honors programs have the following requirements:
- Earn at least a cumulative 3.25 GPA at UW-Madison (some programs have higher requirements)
- Complete the program-specific requirements listed below
- Submit completed thesis documentation to CALS Academic Affairs
Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major, students are required to take at least 20 honors credits. In addition, students must take AN SCI 681 Senior Honor Thesis and AN SCI 682 Senior Honors Thesis when completing their thesis project; please see the Honors in Major Checklist for more information.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
- (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.
- (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.
- (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.
- (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.
- (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.
Four-Year Plan
Sample Animal Sciences Four-Year Plan
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 101 | 3 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 102 | 1 | AN SCI Elective | 1-3 |
| AN SCI 135 | 1 | Social Science (or Humanities) | 3 |
| CHEM 103 | 4 | Ethnic Studies (or CALS International Studies) | 3 |
| MATH 113 or 114 | 3-5 | ||
| COMM-A | 3 | ||
| 15-17 | 12-14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 151 | 5 | ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 152 | 5 |
| STAT 371 | 3 | Emphasis Course1 | 3 |
| Emphasis Course1 | 3-4 | Humanities (or Social Science) | 6 |
| CALS International Studies (or Ethnic Studies) | 3 | ||
| 14-15 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 434 | 3 | AN SCI/DY SCI/NUTR SCI 311 | 3 |
| GENETICS 466 | 3 | AN SCI/DY SCI 320 | 3 |
| Emphasis Course | 3 | An Sci Depth2 | 3 |
| AN SCI Depth Course | 3 | AN SCI/DY SCI 3613 | 2 |
| AN SCI/FOOD SCI 305 | 4 | AN SCI/DY SCI 362 or 3633 | 2 |
| Emphasis Course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AN SCI 435 | 2 | An Sci Depth | 5-6 |
| An Sci Depth | 3 | Electives | 3 |
| Emphasis Course | 3-4 | Emphasis course | 3-5 |
| Emphasis course | 3-4 | ||
| AN SCI 699 | 1-3 | ||
| 12-16 | 11-14 | ||
| Total Credits 110-122 | |||
- 1
Choose Science or Business Emphasis; see Requirements tab for details.
- 2
12 credits required; see Requirements tab for options.
- 3
These courses are generally offered as intensive modular courses with 361 being offered first half of the semester and 362/363 offered second half of the semester.
Advising
Each student receives one-on-one guidance from their professional advisor. Academic advisors will help students build an individualized, four-year plan. Many animal sciences majors have completed double majors with Life Sciences Communication, Genetics and Genomics, and departments outside of CALS such as Spanish, depending on the students’ interests. Certificates such as CALS Business Management, Environmental Studies, Food Systems, and Global Health compliment several of our students interests and provide depth to their undergraduate program.
Career opportunities
All students have a faculty mentor to assist with their career planning.
Students graduating with a degree in animal sciences can enter a number of career fields. These include nutrition, herd management, food testing, business, marketing, technology, meat science, healthcare, research, and teaching. Graduates have also found positions within zoos. Many students go on to pursue graduate education in veterinary medicine, animal science, or human medicine.
Animal And Dairy Sciences Department
Professors
Weigel, Kent (Chair) Khatib, Hasan (Associate Chair) Adcock, Sarah Arriola Apelo, Sebastian Cabrera, Victor Claus, Jim Crenshaw, Thomas Dorea, Joao Ferraretto, Luiz Fricke, Paul Guo, Wei Hernandez, Laura Kirkpatrick, Brian Laporta, Jimena Leone, Vanessa Mantovani, Hilario Ortega, Sofia Parrish, John Peñagaricano, Francisco Reed, Jess Richards, Mark Ricke, Steve Rosa, Guilherme Shanmuganayagam, Dhanansayan (Dhanu) Sindelar, Jeffrey Van Os, Jennifer Wattiaux, Michel White, Heather Wiltbank, Milo
Instructors/Lecturers
Halbach, Theodore
Kean, Ron
O’Rourke, Bernadette
Ronk, Eric
Undergraduate Advisor
Sandberg, Liv
Link to: https://andysci.wisc.edu/about-us/faculty-and-staff/
Internships
Animal sciences majors take part in a number of internships around campus and beyond. Past students interned at veterinary clinics and hospitals, genetics companies, animal feed companies, Extension, food companies, farms, animal pharmaceutical companies, animal councils, and more.
Opportunities at Bucky’s Varsity Meats, an on-campus meat-processing facility, and the Livestock Laboratory give students hands-on experience with all aspects of meat production.
Research experience
There are numerous opportunities to conduct research with faculty and staff in the department. Around 75 percent of animal sciences majors have completed independent study projects, and research stipends are available. Some students also take part in research as part of an honors thesis.
Student organizations
By joining a student organization, animal sciences majors connect with other students and build relationships with faculty and staff. Organizations available to animal sciences students include Pre Vet Club, Badger Meat Science Club, Saddle and Sirloin Club, and Poultry Club.
There are additional opportunities for students to get involved in animal-related organizations on campus such as Hoofer Riding Club, Badger Dairy Club, Collegiate FFA, and Association of Women in Agriculture.
Competitive teams
Students can join teams and compete against other universities for events such as the Animal Welfare Assessment and the Animal Science Academic Quadrathalon competition.
Global engagement
The department encourages students to study abroad and offers globally focused courses that look at livestock production, health, animal agriculture, and sustainable development. Students can find more information on the International Academic Programs website and the CALS study abroad advising page.
Community engagement and volunteering
Animal sciences students engage in a number of volunteer opportunities including working at the Livestock Lab, the Poultry Research Lab, the Dairy Cattle Center, Bucky’s Varsity Meats, and Animal Farm Units. Students also participate in Extension, 4-H and undergraduate student recruitment events.
On campus, the Morgridge Center for Public Service provides resources to help students connect with volunteer opportunities based on their interests and goals.
The animal sciences program awards $25,000 – 35,000 in annual scholarships. Students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences receive more than $1.25 million in scholarships annually. Learn more about college scholarships here.
The new, state-of-the-art Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Building houses a fully functional meat processing facility, a retail shop called Bucky’s Varsity Meats, and an advanced laboratory that offer students highly valued hands-on opportunities.
Other specialized facilities offering students hands-on experiences include:
- The Livestock Laboratory accommodates research on multiple species and includes a surgery room.
- The Poultry Research Laboratory houses chickens and other birds.
- The Dairy Cattle Center houses more than 80 dairy cows on campus in a tie-stall barn.
- A network of off-campus Agricultural Research Stations serve as living laboratories for agricultural animal research.