Program Overview

Program Course Delivery
Animal Science - Major On-Campus
Animal Science - Minor On-Campus

Explore our Animal Science Program

Explore career possibilities from A to Z

Whether you like large animals or small animals, an animal science degree will prepare you for careers ranging from A to Z. From animal nutritionists to zoo managers and everything in between, this program will have you working on hands-on projects from day one. Located on the beautiful northwest Minnesota campus, your classrooms will be barns, labs, paddocks, and stables. There’s nothing quite like it.

Animal Science is a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Animal Science Major

Students and faculty learning how to give goat ultrasounds

The Bachelor of Science in Animal Science leads to careers in livestock production and management or one of the many allied industries, such as feed production, artificial insemination, and livestock or farm equipment support and sales. In addition, students can meet the requirements to attend graduate school or a veterinary college.

Coursework includes computer and communications training, sales, and business management. Other required coursework is traditional to livestock degrees, but students can take courses specific to their interests. Options also exist for students who wish to pursue pre-veterinary studies.

After completing the program, graduates will:

  • Understand dairy/livestock management.
  • Develop individual communication skills.
  • Learn problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.
  • Utilize technology skills that are use for dairy/livestock management decision-making and problem-solving.
  • Work effectively in teams.
  • Be able to obtain a career in the dairy/livestock industry.

Animal Science Major Courses
 

Animal Science Minor

Female student writing on a clipboard looking at a horse skeleton in a lab

The animal science minor allows students to learn about livestock essentials and dairy production principles. Students earning this minor train for careers such as ranching, herders, dairy workers, and other allied industry positions.

Animal Science Minor Courses

Emphasis Areas

Learn about our VetFAST Program

Across the nation, there is a shortage of veterinarians for food animals. Vacant positions in rural areas or in the food industry are difficult to fill. More veterinary staff are needed in state and federal agencies to protect livestock from disease and ensure food safety and security. To meet this demand, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine created the Veterinary Food Animal Scholars Track (VetFAST), an opportunity for accelerated acceptance into its Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Learn more about the program requirements and benefits.

Gain VetFAST program acceptance to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine at the end of the freshman or sophomore year in college.

Class field trips include visits to approximately 30 farms where tours and labs are conducted.

Throughout the program, you will get hands-on experience on a wide range of topics, including ultrasounds, lambing sheep and calving cows, giving injections and drawing blood, handling and restraining animals, equipment use, terminology, reproduction, and feeds.

Develop and conduct original research with animal science faculty, including reproductive management of livestock species and cost-effective/nutritious feed alternatives for cattle.

There are international opportunities to visit farms in other countries to see how they operate, including trips to France.
 

Awards and Accreditation

  • Want to go to vet school? U of M Crookston's pre-veterinary program has a placement rate of 68% for veterinary school, which is six times the national average of 11%.
  • The University of Minnesota Crookston is  accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Student Experiences

UMN Women basketball player holding a basketball while yelling at the camera
Two students having a conversation while looking at a laptop
A women smiling while glancing outside of the window.
Two female students smiling while looking at a laptop screen
Image of a basketball gym.

Average Cost After Aid

Reward icon with a yellow background

$13,436

Average amount of grants & scholarships received (2022-2023 data)

Icon of a person reading a book

$12,894

Average net price after grants &
scholarships (2021-2022 data)

Icon of a graduation cap

$22,883

Average TOTAL student loan debt after
graduation (2022-2023)

Scholarship and Funding Options

The University of Minnesota Crookston provides quick and easy access to over $1 million worth of scholarship opportunities for new and returning students!

Your Future Professors

Amber Edblom
Lab Services Coordinator
Photo unavailable
Farm Equipment Operator
Layla King
Assistant Professor
Leslie Lekatz
Associate Professor

What is Campus Life Like?

Residential Life

University of Minnesota Crookston's residence halls are ranked #1 public college dorms in Minnesota by Niche. The residential halls are clean, safe, spacious and modern. There is a mix of traditional style rooms, suites, and apartments available on-campus which include amenities such as ensuite bathrooms, walk-closets, and full size kitchens with all major appliances. There are also beautiful common spaces in every residential building that are great places to hangout, play games, study, or relax. Schedule a tour to see for yourself why they're ranked #1!

A women getting food at a salad bar.
Server handing stacked takeout boxes to a customer at a counter.
Collage of all the to-go options available at the Eagle's Nest
Person holding a Caribou pink refresher outside Sargeant Student Center with beautiful fall colors in the background
A male and female students sitting in a booth outside Regal's grill with their burgers and sandwiches, fries and laptops talking
A collage featuring a women eating various foods.

Student Stories

A woman at a dog show with an Australian Shepherd, smiling outdoors in a sweatshirt, and dressed formally holding an award with two people.

U of M Crookston senior aspires to become a veterinarian following ten years of professional dog showing

She is a biology major with a chemistry minor and an animal science minor. Turman has a deep love for animals, so much so she trained and professionally showed Australian Shepherds in conformation dog shows for ten years and was ranked the number one American Kennel Club (AKC) All-Breed Junior Handler in the United States for 2018.