The Animal Science minor at UNH is a good fit if you are passionate about working with animals and interested in the science of animal care and management. This minor will provide you with a solid foundation in the biology, care and management of domestic animals and is especially valuable for those pursuing careers in in veterinary fields, livestock management, animal husbandry, and related industries, as it provides practical knowledge in areas like animal nutrition, reproduction and health.
What is Animal Science?
The study of animal science will provide you with an introduction to the biology and management of animal species. In this minor, you’ll choose from a wide array of electives, with the potential to delve into topics such as animal genetics, diseases, and ethics, and gain hands-on equine, poultry and dairy experience. Your studies will prepare you for careers in various animal industries or further studies in veterinary medicine or graduate school.
Why Study Animal Science at UNH?
At UNH we offer a range of hands-on, real-world experience through campus facilities that include the Fairchild Dairy Teaching and Research Center, the Lou & Lutza Smith Equine Center, the Organic Dairy Research Farm, the Aquaculture Research Center, the Ritzman Aquaculture Facility and the high tunnels for poultry and small ruminants.
Potential Career Areas
- Animal business ownership
- Education and extension
- Government (USDA)
- Advocacy
- Animal management
- Research
- Veterinary medicine
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A Major OpportunityMeet Madi Wing, zoology major and double minor in animal science and animal behavior, from Pawcatuck, Connecticut.Learn More -
Hands-On Experiences Made All the DifferenceLiza Balet '23 is a wildlife and conservation biology major and animal science minor from Ballston Spa, N.Y.Learn More -
Hands-on environmental studies for U.S. studentsEcology, sustainability, and environmental science were the focus of a special visit by EcoQuest’s international students to the Ramsar wetland at Pūkorokoro Miranda on 28 October 2022.Learn More -
Coming a Long Way and Going Much FartherAngelica Beltrán Franco ’19 is a wildlife and conservation biology major and animal behavior minor who moved to the U.S. with her family in 2013 from Medellin, Colombia.Learn More
Curriculum & Requirements
The study of animal science will provide you with an introduction to the biology and management of animal species. In this minor, you’ll choose from a wide array of electives, with the potential to delve into topics such as animal genetics, diseases, and ethics, and gain hands-on equine, poultry and dairy experience. Your studies will prepare you for careers in various animal industries or further studies in veterinary medicine or graduate school.
Students wanting to declare a minor in animal science must meet with animal science minor coordinator as early as possible and no later than first semester of their junior year.
Students must complete a minor completion form during their final semester at UNH.
- A minor in Animal Science consists of a minimum of 20 credits of Animal Science (ANSC) courses.
- No more than 7 credits may be taken in the Thompson School of Applied Science (AAS) and at the 400- level.
- Students must receive a minimum grade of C- in any course used for the minor. Students failing to do this will need to retake the course in order to receive credit.
- No courses taken on a pass (credit)/fail basis may count toward the minor.
- Students who transfer from other institutions may petition the animal science program faculty for course approval.
- No more than eight credits used to satisfy major requirements may be used for the minor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following introductory courses: | 4 | |
| AAS 425 | Introduction to Dairy Herd Management | 4 |
| ANSC 401 | Animals and Society | 4 |
| ANSC 421 | Introduction to Animal Science | 4 |
| ANSC 427 | Introduction to Equine Science | 4 |
| Choose at least one of the following experiential courses: | 2-12 | |
| ANSC 515 | Explorations in Veterinary Medicine | 2 |
| ANSC 526 | Equine Conformation, Movement, and Performance | 4 |
| ANSC 647 | Equine Stable Management | 4 |
| ANSC 603 | Introduction to Livestock Management | 4 |
| ANSC 605 | Poultry Production and Health Management | 4 |
| ANSC 698 | Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM) 1 | 4 |
| ANSC 728 | Advanced Dairy Management II 1 | 4 |
| ANSC 795 | Investigations | 1-4 |
| Choose at least one of the following courses: | 2-12 | |
| ANSC 511 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| ANSC 512 | Animal Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| ANSC 543 | Technical Writing in Animal Sciences | 2 |
| ANSC 602 | Animal Rights and Societal Issues | 4 |
| ANSC 609 | Principles of Animal Nutrition | 4 |
| ANSC 612 | Genetics of Animals | 4 |
| ANSC 625 | Animal Diseases | 4 |
| ANSC 627 | Animal Health Applications | 4 |
| ANSC 670 | Exotic Companion Species Health and Management | 4 |
| ANSC 690 | Livestock and Wildlife in Namibia: Challenges, Opportunities and Geography | 4 |
| ANSC 701 | Physiology of Reproduction | 4 |
| ANSC #708 | Ruminant Nutritional Physiology | 3 |
| ANSC 710 | Dairy Nutrition | 4 |
| ANSC 715 | Physiology of Lactation | 4 |
| ANSC 724 | Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination | 4 |
| ANSC 750 | Collaborative Farm Design and Development | 4 |
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Note that previous dairy course work is highly recommended for success in these upper level courses
Explore Program Details
CREAM is a student-run cooperative in which 25 UNH students operate and manage a small business consisting of a registered Holstein dairy herd. CREAM is a yearlong course that gives students the opportunity to gain hands on experience in working with the dairy cows. Each fall, the herd is passed on to a new group of students with the help of a transition team of student advisors, as well as dairy center personnel, and faculty advisors. CREAM has been operating at UNH since 1997 and has progressed as a program each year due to the dedication and commitment of the students, faculty, and dairy center staff.
