Animal Sciences students focus on the biology of domesticated animals, including cattle, goats, horses, poultry, sheep, swine, as well as 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, livestock production in agricultural development, and laboratory techniques in mammalian gamete and embryo biology.
The major offers a science track which includes math, physics, organic chemistry, and biochemistry 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.
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 under the Advising and Careers tab.
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 | ||
| Statistical Methods for Bioscience I | ||
| 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 | 4 |
| 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 Management | 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/DY SCI 370 | Livestock Production and Health in Agricultural Development 1 | 3 |
| 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 | |
| AN SCI 375 | Special Topics (Equine Reproductive Management) | 2 |
| 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 |
| INTER-AG/AGRONOMY/DY SCI 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 | Introductory Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| BIOCHEM 501 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| or BMOLCHEM 503 | Human Biochemistry | |
| Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Intermediate Organic Chemistry | ||
| 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 | Farming Systems Management | 3 |
| A A E 322 | Commodity Markets | 3 |
| 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 | 25 | |
| 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
Admission to the Honors Program is not competitive provided students meet the required admission criteria.
Admission Criteria for New Freshmen:
- In the upper 10% of their high school graduating class
- ACT score of 28 or higher
- SAT score of at least 1240
Admission Criteria for Transfer and Continuing UW-Madison Students:
- UW-Madison cumulative GPA of at least 3.25
Highly motivated students can apply for admission to the program in the absence of these requirements by including a letter with their application addressed to the Honors Dean in 116 Agricultural Hall explaining why they should be in the program.
How to Apply
Apply to the program online or request an application in the Office of Academic Affairs, 116 Agricultural Hall. Applications are accepted at any time.
New freshmen 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 meeting with the advisor for that major by completing the application form and selecting Honors in the Major. Transfer and continuing students may apply directly to Honors in Research or Honors in the Major (after meeting with the major advisor).
How to Cancel Participation
Students who are no longer interested in pursuing Honors should contact the CALS Honors Program Manager (see the contact box for CALS Honors Program). Students may cancel their participation at any time, and this will not be noted on the student’s transcript.
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 | 4 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| CHEM 103 | 4 | AN SCI Elective | 1-3 |
| MATH 113 or 114 | 3-5 | Social Science (or Humanities) | 3 |
| COMM-A | 3 | Ethnic Studies (or CALS International Studies) | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar | 1 | ||
| 15-17 | 12-14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 151 | 5 | ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 152 | 5 |
| STAT 371 | 3 | AN SCI/FOOD SCI 305 | 4 |
| Emphasis Course1 | 3-4 | Emphasis Course1 | 3 |
| CALS International Studies (or Ethnic Studies) | 3 | Humanities (or Social Science) | 3 |
| 14-15 | 15 | ||
| 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 361 | 2 |
| Humanities | 3 | AN SCI/DY SCI 362 or 363 | 2 |
| Emphasis Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 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. |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Animal Science Electives | ||
| Animal Handling | ||
| Career Orientation Animal/Poultry Sciences | ||
| The Biology and Appreciation of Companion Animals | ||
| Horse Science and Management | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Food Laws and Regulations | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Study Abroad in Animal Sciences | ||
Animal and Dairy Sciences Department
Professors
Weigel (Chair), Khatib (Associate Chair), Cabrera, Claus, Crenshaw, Fricke, Kirkpatrick, Parrish, Reed, Richards, Rosa, Sindelar, Wattiaux, Wiltbank
Associate Professors
Hernandez, White
Assistant Professors
Adcock, Arriola Apelo, Dorea, Ferraretto, Guo, Laporta, Leone, Peñagaricano, Shanmuganayagam, Van Os
Instructors/Lecturers
Halbach, Kean, O’Rourke, Ronk, Williams
Student Services Coordinator
Liv Sandberg
Graduate Coordinator
Theresa Pillar
Undergraduates majoring in Animal Sciences at UW–Madison will find an inclusive, welcoming community where professors know their students and are able to provide guidance based on students’ specific academic and career goals. There are numerous opportunities to conduct research with faculty and to take part in the Wisconsin Idea, whereby faculty and students extend the knowledge developed at the university to stakeholders in Wisconsin and beyond for the betterment of society.
Students majoring in Animal Sciences are involved in a wide variety of opportunities across campus. Students are highly encouraged to complement their coursework with out-of-classroom experiences such as clubs, research, volunteering, internships, and study abroad.
By joining one of the several clubs listed below, majors get to know their fellow students outside the classroom. The following opportunities can help students connect with other students interested in Animal Sciences and other biological science majors, build relationships with faculty and staff, and contribute to out-of-classroom learning.
- Pre Vet Club
- Poultry Club
- Badger Meat Science Club
- Saddle and Sirloin Club
- Hoofer Riding Club
- Badger Dairy Club
- Collegiate FFA
- Association of Women in Agriculture
- Meat Lab/Bucky’s Butchery: Interested in meat science? The meat-processing facilities within the department apply many food science principles and provide a unique opportunity for students to get hands-on experience with all aspects of meat production.
- Study Abroad: Animal Sciences majors have the opportunity to participate in experiential study abroad programs, where they can immerse themselves in research or global animal field experiences. Students can review the International Academic Programs website and the CALS study abroad advising page for information on these and other programs, as well as requirements that can typically be fulfilled abroad and things to consider when fitting study abroad into an academic plan.
- Research/Lab Experience: Students are encouraged to get involved in research with Animal Sciences faculty or through other biology-related departments. Research can be performed for either course credit or pay, depending on the opportunity. Research opportunities can be found primarily by contacting faculty members.
Students are also involved in pre-health organizations, volunteer and shadowing opportunities, publishing in an undergraduate science journal, biotechnology and agricultural internships, and other related experiences on and off campus.