Animal Science

Gain hands-on learning, exploring many aspects of animal science and husbandry.

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Animal Science, B.S.

Animal Science majors, which include pre-veterinary students, will learn in a hands-on, science-based curriculum under knowledgeable and friendly faculty. Students explore the science, production, and business of domestic food, fiber, and companion animal species, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, and companion animals. Also included are disciplines such as nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science, management, health, and biotechnology. Animal Science students learn experientially by working with MTSU livestock herds including beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, and horses.

Several extracurricular animal-related student organizations, including the Block and Bridle Club, Dairy Science Club, Poultry Science Club, and Pre-Veterinary Medical Society, provide unparalleled opportunities for students to engage with their fellow classmates and network with industry partners.

MTSU's Animal Science program is unique in Tennessee by offering a minor in Poultry Science. The Poultry Science minor prepares students for a career in the poultry industry.

Careers
Requirements
Faculty
Information
Careers
Requirements
Faculty
Information

News Briefs

Standing out in the herd

MTSU's state-of-the-art dairy farm is responsible for milk served on campus and to local area vendors. Home to the university's herd of about 100 dairy cows, the teaching, research, and production facility features a double-eight parallel milking parlor with rapid-exit gates that can milk 16 cows at a time. A computer-controlled milking system with leg bands allows us to record milk production and track activity levels of each cow. Students in dairy production, livestock management, and other animal science courses learn how to operate a modern dairy farm and many are involved in undergraduate research projects at the farm.

Animal Science students are active in research

Animal Science students conduct undergraduate thesis research projects as part of the University Honors College or independently with a faculty mentor. Students have the opportunity to present their research at university, state, regional, and national meetings including University Scholar's Week, the Tennessee Academy of Science, American Dairy Science Association, American Society of Animal Science, Poultry Science Association, and the International Poultry Scientific Forum.

News Briefs

Standing out in the herd

MTSU's state-of-the-art dairy farm is responsible for milk served on campus and to local area vendors. Home to the university's herd of about 100 dairy cows, the teaching, research, and production facility features a double-eight parallel milking parlor with rapid-exit gates that can milk 16 cows at a time. A computer-controlled milking system with leg bands allows us to record milk production and track activity levels of each cow. Students in dairy production, livestock management, and other animal science courses learn how to operate a modern dairy farm and many are involved in undergraduate research projects at the farm.

Animal Science students are active in research

Animal Science students conduct undergraduate thesis research projects as part of the University Honors College or independently with a faculty mentor. Students have the opportunity to present their research at university, state, regional, and national meetings including University Scholar's Week, the Tennessee Academy of Science, American Dairy Science Association, American Society of Animal Science, Poultry Science Association, and the International Poultry Scientific Forum.

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CAREERS

A degree in Animal Science affords students a wide array of career opportunities after graduation or helps prepare them for continued study beyond the undergraduate level, including graduate degree programs (M.S. or Ph.D.) or professional programs in veterinary medicine (DVM). Some career opportunities with a degree in Animal Science from MTSU might include

  • Animal feed manufacturer
  • Animal health technician
  • Animal laboratory technician
  • Animal nutrition salesperson
  • Animal product processing supervisor
  • Animal shelter manager
  • Canine performance trainer
  • County extension agent
  • Government regulatory specialist
  • Livestock journalist
  • Livestock marketer
  • Livestock production manager
  • Pharmaceutical salesperson
  • Poultry production technician
  • Quality assurance manager
  • Veterinary technician
  • Vocational agriculture teacher
  • Wildlife technician
  • Zookeeper

Employers of MTSU alumni include

  • ADM
  • Animal Care Veterinary Hospital
  • Animal Medical Center
  • Aviagen
  • Cal-Maine Foods
  • Cargill
  • Cobb-Vantress
  • Family Pet Health
  • Farm Credit Services of Mid-America
  • Heritage Farms
  • Mars Petcare
  • Merck Animal Health
  • MWI Veterinary Supply
  • Nashville Zoo
  • PIC International
  • Pilgrim's Pride
  • Tennessee Department of Agriculture
  • Tennessee Department of Education
  • Tennessee Farm Bureau
  • Tennessee Farmer's Cooperative
  • Tractor Supply Company
  • Tyson Foods
  • UT/TSU Extension
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center--Department of Animal Care
  • VCA Creekside Animal Hospital

REQUIREMENTS

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FACULTY

INFORMATION

Students with interest in an undergraduate program in Animal Science, which includes becoming a veterinarian, will learn in a hands-on, science-based curriculum under knowledgeable and friendly faculty. Animal Science students explore the science, production, and business of domestic food, fiber, and companion animal species, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, and companion animals.  Also included are disciplines such as nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science, management, health, and biotechnology.

Animal Science students can "learn by doing" through work with herds of beef cattle, swine, and dairy cattle at the MTSU farm laboratories. In addition, several extracurricular animal-related student organizations, including the Block and Bridle Club, Dairy Science Club, Poultry Science Club, and Pre-Veterinary Medical Society, provide unparalleled opportunities for involvement.  Competitive teams include the Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon team, Poultry Judging team, and Dairy Challenge team. The Animal Science program is unique in Tennessee by offering a minor in Poultry Science. The Poultry Science minor provides excellent opportunities for students to prepare for a career in the poultry industry.

Extracurricular Activities promote professional development and leadership skills

Students have several options when considering student organizations supported by the School of Agriculture.  Animal Science students have leadership roles in the Block & Bridle Club, Dairy Science Club, Poultry Science Club, Pre-Veterinary Medical Society, and Collegiate FFA.

This program is approved for the Academic Common Market.

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