Animal Science Major & Minor
Make a meaningful impact through animal science
Spark discoveries and disseminate new knowledge about the biology and management of domestic animals and put our knowledge to work to make a positive impact in the world. Animal Science offers undergraduate and graduate programs on the biology and management of food, laboratory and companion animal species.
Our goals are to discover and develop new techniques and information to benefit animals, agriculture and human health. The department’s faculty members, many internationally recognized, have diverse interests in animal management, breeding, genetics, physiology, nutrition, growth biology and microbiology.
Students are actively tackling the issues facing animal industries today.
Major in Animal Science
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
The Animal Science major prepares students for study in veterinary medicine or careers in animal production, biotechnology and conservation and has been nationally recognized for its work in animal breeding and genetics, nutrition, physiology, growth, behavior and management. Join students and professors who go beyond the classroom to explore ideas and tackle some of the complex challenges of our times. You’ll be prepared to find positions immediately upon graduation, or enter a graduate or professional school to obtain an advanced degree.
The animal sciences major offers an opportunity to apply animal biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and other life sciences to the study of animal breeding and genetics, nutrition, physiology, growth, behavior and management. The curriculum is flexible and can be applied to a great variety of species, from farm animals and pets to laboratory animals and even some exotics. Students are encouraged, with the help of a faculty advisor, to plan an individual curriculum that suits their interests and career goals.
CALS seeks students who maintain a rigorous high school curriculum and demonstrate an outstanding record of academic achievement. Admissions requirements include:
4 Units of English
4 Units of Mathematics (including pre-calculus, calculus and statistics also recommended)
3 Units of Science (1 biology and 1 chemistry required, physics strongly recommended)
An additional unit of science is also strongly recommended
Agriculture courses are strongly encouraged
Foundational Competency (17 credits)
ANSC 1101 - Contemporary Perspective in Animal Science (Fall, 1 credit)
ANSC 1105 - Careers in Animal Science (Spring, 1 credit)
BIOAP 1100 - Domestic Animal Biology (Fall, 4 credits)
ANSC 2120 - Animal Nutrition (Fall, 4 credits)
ANSC 2210 - Principles of Animal Genetics (Spring, 4 credits)
ANSC 2400 - Biology of Reproduction (Spring, 3 credits)
Fundamentals of Animal Management (3 credits)
ANSC 2500 - Dairy Cattle Principles (Fall, 3 credits)
ANSC 2650 - Equine Biology and Management (Fall, 3 credits)
ANSC 3000 - Avian Physiology and Management (Fall, 3 credits)
ANSC 3450 - Reproductive Physiology and Management of Dairy Cattle (Spring, 3 credits)
ANSC 3600 - Beef Cattle (Spring, 3 credits)
ANSC 3800 - Sheep (Fall, 3 credits)
Ethics and Animal Welfare (3 credits)
ANSC 3100 - Introduction to Animal Welfare (Spring, 3 credits)
ANSC 4140 - Ethics and Animal Science (Spring, 3 credits)
Statistics (4 credits)
MATH 1710 - Statistical Theory and Application in the Real World (Fall, 4 credits)
STSCI 2100 - Introductory Statistics (Both, 4 credits)
STSCI 2150 - Introductory Statistics for Biology (Both, 4 credits)
STSCI 2200 - Biological Statistics I (Fall, 4 credits)
Sustainability Challenges (3 credits)
ANSC 2000 - Sustainable Food & Companion Animal Systems & Perspectives (Spring, 3 credits)
ANSC 4120 - Whole-Farm Nutrient Management (Spring, 4 credits)
ANSC 4880 - Global Food, Energy, and Water Nexus (Fall, 3 credits)
BIOEE 4690 - Food, Agriculture, and Society (Spring, 3 credits)
GDEV 1300 - Just Food: Exploring the Modern Food System (Fall, 4 credits)
GDEV 3400 - Agriculture, Food, Sustainability and Social Justice (Fall, 3 credits)
NTRES 1101 - Understanding Environment and Sustainability (Fall, 3 credits)
NTRES 4600 - Planning for Environmental Conservation and Sustainability (Fall, 3 credits)
PLBRG 2010 - Plants, Genes, and Global Food Production (Spring, 3 credits)
PLSCS 1900 - Sustainable Agriculture: Food, Farming, and the Future (Fall, 3 credits)
Concentrations
Students must select one of the following concentrations: Integrative Physiology & Nutrition; Pre-Veterinary Medicine; Dairy Management; Applied Animal Biology & Management; Animal Ecology & Conservation. Concentrations are chosen second semester Sophomore year. Note: If you are a Pre-Vet, it does NOT mean that you have to take the Pre-Vet concentration. You can take any of the five concentrations, still apply to vet school, and keep your options open. However each vet school has its own admission requirements. You are responsible to ensure you take all required courses for the vet schools you wish to apply to.
ANSC 2210 – Principles of Animal Genetics
Examination of basic genetic principles and their application to the improvement of domestic animals, with emphasis on the effects of selection on animal populations and an introduction to the application of molecular techniques to animal improvement.
ANSC 3510 – Dairy Herd Management
Application of scientific principles to practical herd management with components of reproduction, milking, housing, records and production economics. Laboratories emphasize practical applications, analyses of alternatives, decision-making, field trips and discussion.
ANSC 3700 – Immunology in Animal Health and Disease
Discuss concepts in immunology, with a focus on those that are important to domestic animal health and disease prevention. Immunological principles applied to understand current literature, research, and practices.
Students specializing in animal science have the opportunity, with the help of their advisors, to develop a curriculum that fulfills individual interests and allows a broad selection of courses. For example, a student interested in a production-oriented career might take courses in agronomy, farm management, agricultural engineering and economics to complement their animal science courses.
On the other hand, students with a more basic interest in animal biology might take organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and other courses in the biological and physical sciences. While one student may be captivated by the molecular biology of the developing embryo, a classmate may be equally fascinated by the nutrition in the domestic cat or by the mathematics of genetic selection in the horse. No two students need to have identical programs.
Cornell’s Animal Science major also offers students the opportunity to:
- Graduate with distinction in research
- Receive top-notch training for careers in the dairy industry through the Dairy Fellows Program
All students are encouraged to take advantage of one or more opportunities for internships, a semester abroad, independent research or honors thesis research, as appropriate. For research or the Honor's Program in Research, consult with your advisor. Your advisor can help you identify possible internship opportunities and CALS has an office available to assist you.
Resources:
- Finding an Internship, Summer Job, or Full-time Job
- CALS International Opportunities for Undergraduates
- Cornell Abroad - the Office of Global Learning at Cornell University
Each student in the animal science major is assigned a faculty advisor. Your advisor plays several roles: guiding you through the requirements of the major and the College distribution requirements; helping you to clarify your educational and career goals; suggesting courses to help you meet your particular educational interests and career goals; and serving as a source of information about opportunities and services available to you through the College and University (e.g., study abroad, internships, career counseling, health and psychological services). If you make the effort to get to know your advisor, she or he also may serve as a reference for you for internships, jobs, or graduate school.
- Student at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine
- Licensed Veterinary Technician
- Biotechnologist
- Animal genetic counselor
- Livestock/dairy manager
- Agriculture Research Analyst
- Dairy Farm Manager
- Dairy Cattle Nutrition Consultant
- Business Analyst
Minor in Animal Science
The Animal Science minor offers a great opportunity for any undergraduate student to pursue their interests in the Animal Science field in an accessible manor. Students declaring a minor in Animal Science must declare the minor prior to graduating.
The minor is satisfied by completing at least 15 credit hours of Animal Science courses. Students completing the Animal Science minor assemble courses, or demonstrate having the equivalent from elsewhere, that include basic and applied biology of animals (i.e. anatomy, physiology, nutrition, genetics) along with a selection of intermediate or advanced offerings from the Animal Science curriculum.
Please consult with the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, lig27 [at] cornell.edu (Lindsay Glasner), if you are interested.
Transfer Student Admissions
Prepare for study in veterinary medicine or careers in animal production, biotechnology and conservation, in a program that has been nationally recognized in animal breeding and genetics, nutrition, physiology, growth, behavior and management.
Academic Record Required:
- Strong academic record at the college level. Competitive applicants have at least a 3.0 (B) average.
- CALS Required Coursework should be completed or in-progress with a “B” or better before applying.
- The most competitive applicants are full-time students who have met the GPA and course requirements.
For information about AP/IB/GCE Credit, Visit our Cornell Policy on Advanced Placement Credit for English, Math, Science, and Foreign Language. CALS adheres to these guidelines unless otherwise noted by the major.
For information about College Credit Earned in High School, Visit CALS Policy on College Credit While Earned in High School
Below are requirements for Transfer Students applying to CALS for Fall 2025
(Or transfers with two full-time college semesters of study (post-high school) completed or in progress at time of application):
Required:
One semester of Introductory Biology with lab
- Necessary content: Physiology or Cell Biology
- Equivalent to BIOAP1100, BIOEE 1780, BIOG 1440, BIOMG 1350, BIOG 1500 (lab)
- Will not accept: Ecology or courses lacking in focus on Cell Bio & Physiology
- AP, IB & GCE credit in Biology not accepted
Two Semesters of General Chemistry with lab OR Two semesters of Physics with lab
One College Writing/English Composition course or Oral Communication course
One course that meets CALS Social Science and Humanities requirements
Strongly Encouraged (Not required):
- A Second semester of Introductory Biology (Physiology or Cell Bio focus – see above)
(Or transfers with two full-time college semesters of study (post-high school) completed or in progress at time of application):
Required:
One semester of Introductory Biology with lab
- Preferred content: Physiology or Cell Biology
- Equivalent to BIOAP1100, BIOEE 1780, BIOG 1440, BIOMG 1350, BIOG 1500 (lab)
- AP, IB & GCE credit in Biology not accepted
One Semester of General Chemistry with lab*
- Equivalent to CHEM 2070, CHEM 2080, or CHEM 1560
- *Exemption for Dairy Concentration
One College Writing/English Composition course or Oral Communication course
One course that meets CALS Social Science and Humanities requirements
Strongly Encouraged (Not required):
(Or transfers with four full-time college semesters of study (post-high school) completed or in progress at time of application).
Required:
Two semesters of Introductory Biology with lab
- Necessary content: Physiology or Cell Biology
- Equivalent to BIOAP1100, BIOEE 1780, BIOG 1440, BIOMG 1350, BIOG 1500 (lab)
- Will not accept: Ecology or courses lacking in focus on Cell Bio & Physiology
- AP, IB & GCE credit in Biology not accepted
Two Semesters of General Chemistry with lab
One Semester of Organic Chemistry OR Two Semesters of Physics with lab
Two College Writing/English Composition course or Oral Communication courses
Two courses that meet CALS Social Science and Humanities requirements
One course in Math (Calculus or Statistics) OR One course in Elective Biology
Strongly Encouraged (Not required):
- Additional courses in Writing or Social Science and Humanities
- Complete any of the “OR” categories
(Or transfers with four full-time college semesters of study (post-high school) completed or in progress at time of application).
Required:
Two semesters of Introductory Biology with lab
- Preferred content: Physiology or Cell Biology
- Equivalent to BIOAP1100, BIOEE 1780, BIOG 1440, BIOMG 1350, BIOG 1500 (lab)
- AP, IB & GCE credit in Biology not accepted
One Semester of General Chemistry with lab
One Semester of additional Physical Sciences (Organic Chemistry, Physics)
Two College Writing/English Composition course or Oral Communication courses
Two courses that meet CALS Social Science and Humanities requirements
One course in Math (Calculus or Statistics) OR Economics OR One course in Elective Biology
Strongly Encouraged (Not required):
- Additional semesters in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics
- Additional courses in Writing or Social Sciences and Humanities
- Additional courses Math, Economics, or Elective Biology
BS/DVM Accelerated Pathway
7-year combined BS/DVM pathway is a joint program between the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell. Details for applying to the pathway can be found on the College of Veterinary Medicine website. Below are curriculum modifications for students accepted into the BS/DVM pathway.
There are no modifications to core coursework. There are also no changes to Appendix I if you are a sophomore transfer.
Concentration coursework
Students are eligible to pick one of the five concentrations. Within each concentration, students have flexibility to design their course plan selecting categories and courses after discussion with their advisors. Irrespective of the concentration selected and the flexibility provided, students will be held to the following requirement:
Animal Physiology and Nutrition
Complete three of the following courses:
- ANSC 3300 - Fish Physiology (cross-listed BIOAP) (Spring, 3 credits)
- ANSC 3400 - Comparative Mammalian Reproduction (Spring, 2 credits)
- ANSC 3410 - Biology of the Mammary Gland in Health and Disease (cross-listed BIOAP) (Spring, 2 credits - offered in even-numbered years only)
- ANSC 3450 - Reproductive Physiology and Management of Dairy Cattle (Spring, 3 credits)
- ANSC 3550 - Dairy Cattle Nutrition (Spring, 3 credits)
- ANSC 3920 - Mechanisms of Animal Growth and Development (Spring, 2 credits - offered in odd-numbered years only)
- ANSC 4110 - Integrated Cattle Nutrition (Fall, 4 credits)
- ANSC 4200 - Nutrition of Felids and Canids (Fall, 3 credits)
- ANSC 4280 - Comparative Nutrition of the Horse and Pig (Spring, 3-4 credits)
- ANSC 4270 - Fundamentals of Endocrinology (cross-listed BIOAP) (3 credits)
- ANSC 4310 - Animal Genomics and Epigenomics (Fall, 3 credits)
- ANSC 4410 - Metabolic Physiology (Spring, 3 credits)
- ANSC 4500 - Lab Animal Reproduction (Fall, 2 credits - offered in odd-numbered years only)
Concentrations
Integrative Physiology & Nutrition
Builds a foundation of animal physiology and nutrition along with exploring several advanced elective courses. This is a great concentration for students interested in a research career and/or seeking a competitive edge in future veterinary training.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Serves the dual purpose of providing a foundation in animal physiology and fulfilling prerequisites for veterinary schools, and other health professions.
Dairy Management
Focuses on the science, management and business skills needed to be successful in the dairy industry and the larger agricultural business environment.
Applied Animal Biology & Management
Provides a breadth of nutrition, physiology and management while allowing the opportunity to explore electives.
Animal Ecology & Conservation
Explore the ecological and sustainability impact in the field of Animal Science along with a strong foundation in core physiological principles.
Explore your opportunities
A CALS education goes beyond the classroom and gives students frequent opportunities to apply what they learn in real-world settings.
Extension & Outreach
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