Veterinary Degrees Online

A degree in Animal Science combines different disciplines – animal nutrition, genetics, behavior, and reproductive physiology – with hands on, practical applications for the livestock, poultry and companion animal industries. Animal Science prepares students for many career opportunities. The major coursework combines theory and practical applications for all of the species common to the livestock and poultry industries. The flexibility of the Animal Science curriculum is the basis for student learning and understanding. In today’s technology- driven world, the ability to integrate scientific knowledge with the principles of business is what allows our students to respond to the rapid changes they will face in their future careers.

The Agricultural Sciences / Animal Science Option is offered for those students wishing to complete a 4-year Bachelor degree program in Animal Science.
The Animal Science option is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in the animal agriculture industry and/or admission to a graduate program in Animal Science.
Curriculum:
Agricultural Sciences Core Requirements (33 hrs)
AGR 101, Orientation to Agriculture
1

AGR 102, Agricultural Experience
2

AGR 133, Introduction to Animal Science
3

AGR 143, Anatomy & Physiology of Livestock
3

AGR 211, Soils
3

AGR 233, Animal Diseases & Parasites
3

AGR 243, Equine Health & Disease
3

AGR 316, Feeds and Feeding
3

AGR 301, Farm Management
3

*AGR 402, Advanced Agricultural Experience or, Approved Cooperative education
2

AGR 499C, Senior Seminar in Agriculture
3

CHEM 201, Survey of Organic Chemistry
4

* Students may apply no more than 11 credit hours from AGR 235, 402, 476, or cooperative education courses that will count as credit toward a degree.

General Education Requirements:

Of the 48 hours of general education requirements,
the following courses are specifically required for this option:
AGR 204, World Food
3

CHEM 101, Survey General Chemistry (or higher)
4

Animal Science Option Requirements (24 hrs.):

For the Animal Science option, the student must complete 12 hours of option requirements and 12 hours of option electives.
Option Requirements (12 hrs)
AGR 180, Intro. to Field Crops 3

AGR 222, Livestock Evaluation 3

AGR 330, Livestock Improvement 3

AGR 384, Forages 3

Option Electives (choose 12 hrs)
AGR 336, Dairy Production
3

AGR 337, Poultry Production
3

AGR 338, Livestock Judging
3

AGR 342, Horse Production
3

AGR 343, Beef Production 3

AGR 344, Swine Production 3

AGR 345, Equine Management 3

AGR 480, Equine Breeding & Reproduction 3

AGR 515, Animal Nutrition 3

Animal Science Supplemental Courses (26 hrs)

For the Animal Science option, the student must complete 26 hours of supplemental courses in consultation with an Animal Science advisor.
MSU Upper-level course requirement:

A total of 43 hours of 300-level or higher course work is required by MSU for a bachelor’s degree.

Career Preparation
The study of Animal Science is increasingly broad and diverse.
Employment opportunities for Missouri State Animal Science graduates
range from food processing management, pharmaceutical sales, feed
and equipment sales, animal breeding and management to production
farming, horse training and zoo animal management.
The employment picture appears bright for properly prepared
graduates of the animal science curriculum. Numerous national
and regional firms employ our graduates. Those who maintain a
superior college grade point average, are active in at least one student
organization and are willing to be relocated after graduation
have the best prospects for employment.
Academic Program
The Animal Science program normally takes four years to complete
and results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Animal Science is a
comprehensive major, meaning no minor is required.
Students who have completed most of the basic requirements and
have made some decisions on career goals may, in consultation with
their advisors, want to emphasize the basic sciences to prepare for
graduate school. Other students may want to emphasize business
classes to prepare for careers in the many agricultural businesses that
serve animal agriculture. A minimum of 125 credit hours are required
for graduation; this requires that students carry about 16 hours per
semester in order to complete studies in four academic years. Students
are encouraged to complete two units of mathematics, plus chemistry
and biology in high school in preparation for majoring in Animal
Science. High school preparation should also include a background in
speaking, writing and reading.
Courses
Please consult the Missouri State Catalog online at www.missouristate.
edu/catalog for specific course information.
Introduction to Animal Science
Introduction to Horses
Equitation
Dairy and Meat Animal Evaluation
Artificial Insemination and Reproduction
Veterinary Science
Feeds and Feeding
Animal Breeding
Meat Science
Game Bird Production
Advanced Dairy and Meat Animal Evaluation
Swine Production
Dairy Production
Poultry Science
Beef Cattle Production
Light Horse Production
Beef Cattle Marketing
Problems in Animal Science
Physiology of Domestic Animals
Animal Nutrition and Metabolism
Applied Animal Breeding
Senior Seminar