FOOD. FIBER. COMPANIONSHIP.

The Animal Sciences (ASC) program prepares students for careers focused on the production, management, and care of domestic animals.

Animals have important roles in the provision of food, fiber, and companionship. The discipline of animal sciences involves studying and applying principles of nutrition, reproduction, and genetics to the production, management, and care of animals including horses, cattle, poultry, sheep, swine, and other domestic species.

In the ASC program, students can pursue specific interests by selecting one of two options: Pre-Professional or Animal Enterprises and Production. The Pre-Professional option is a rigorous program of study for students interested in veterinary medicine, human medicine, or graduate research. The Animal Enterprises and Production option is focused on animal production and management, including allied fields of agronomy, agricultural economics, and business. Students can enhance their degrees by incorporating minors and certificates as part of the major.

Careers

The Animal Science degree will prepare you for careers working directly with livestock and companion animals or in closely related areas like agronomy and agribusiness, such as:

  • Agricultural sales agent
  • Animal health inspector
  • Animal nutritionist
  • Extension agent
  • Farm manager
  • Laboratory animal manager
  • Livestock production manager
  • Research scientist
  • Veterinarian
  • Veterinary pharmaceutical sales

Accelerate Your Career Into Graduate School

For highly motivated students, the opportunity exists to integrate up to 12 credit hours of undergraduate and graduate coursework through the Accelerated Master’s Pathways or AMP program. Students will save time and money by receiving dual credit for select courses taken during their senior year of undergraduate studies. Those interested in pursuing this path to a graduate degree should consult with their academic advisor.

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Hands-On Learning

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment maintains facilities on and off the university’s main campus that provide students with ample opportunities for hands-on learning. Many ASC classes take advantage of the nearby 1,500-acre C. Oran Little Research Center, which houses units dedicated to beef, poultry, sheep, and swine production, and the 2,400-acre North Farm, which is home to our Maine Chance Equine Campus. Students also can conduct undergraduate research on our farms and in our laboratories, including the world-renowned University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Animal Sciences
Checking eggs

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Students who complete the ASC degree can do so while completing the required coursework to prepare for veterinary school. The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment offers a separate Pre-Veterinary Mentoring program that dovetails seamlessly with the ASC curriculum. Motivated students can earn an undergraduate certificate in Pre-Veterinary Medicine as part of the major.

Experiential Learning

Hands-on learning is at the heart of what we do in ASC. Our program provides students with opportunities to practice what they learn in the classroom in real-world settings. Our students develop the skills needed to succeed in the industry or pre-professional or graduate programs.

ASC 102 Introduction to Livestock and Poultry Production

Students learn the basics of livestock and poultry production with an emphasis on anatomy, physiology, nutrition, reproduction, breeding, genetics, and behavior.

ASC 209 Veterinary Medical Terminology

Students learn medical root words, prefixes, suffixes, and animal-specific terminology involving food animals, horses, and pets.

ASC 325 Animal Physiology

Students explore the major body systems related to circulation, gas exchange, acid-base balance, digestion, metabolism, and movement.

ASC Species Courses

Students learn species specific nutrition, reproduction, genetics, and management principles through science-based courses in beef, equine, dairy, poultry, sheep, or swine.

Living Learning Program

The Living Learning Program (LLP) supports student success by placing students with similar interests into smaller communities in particular residence halls.

Academic Enrichment

Our college believes in learning by doing. Our students are required to complete at least one type of experiential or hands-on learning opportunity, such as undergraduate research, an internship or an education abroad experience.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous alumni, donors and community partners, we have one of the largest scholarship programs at UK. Only one application is required for our college’s scholarships, but there are hundreds of potential awards.

Student Services

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Assistant Dean for Academic Advising
Grace Hahn

Academic Advisor II
Trevor Herald

Academic Advisor II
Hollie Hinkle

Academic Coordinator
Ann Leed

Director of Undergraduate Studies
Debra Aaron, PhD

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