The Majors

Last updated Spring 2021

Three majors are available within the department. The B.S. in Animal Science major is split into Animal Management, Animal Biotechnology and Research, and Equine Science concentrations in order to provide a more comprehensive background for careers in these fields. The B.S. in Pre-Veterinary Science major is designed specifically for students interested in postgraduate studies in the sciences including entrance into veterinary, medical, master's and doctoral research programs. The third major available in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences is the B.S. in Veterinary Technology.

Admission to Majors

Please see the Getting Started page to learn more about admission to the majors.

Requirements

Requirements for all Animal Science Majors students include the following ANIMLSCI and extra-departmental courses:

Animal Science courses:

101 Introductory Animal Science
*103 Introductory Animal Management
*285 Animal Cell and Molecular Biology
*220 Anatomy and Physiology
260 Animal Care and Welfare
311 Animal Genetics and Breeding
Integrated Experience 494GI - Good Intentions or 494PI - Advanced Animal Health & Management

Extra-departmental courses:

*BIOLOGY 151/152/153 Introductory Biology
*CHEM 111/112 General Chemistry
*CHEM 261 or CHEM 250 Organic Chemistry
NATSCI 387 CNS Junior Writing Course
STATS 111 or STATS 240 Introductory Statistics or RESEC 212
MICROBIO 310 General Microbiology
BIOCHEM 420 Elementary Biochemistry

Requirements for Vet Tech Majors on the UMass Amherst Campus

Animal Science courses:

ANIMLSCI 105 and 105L Introduction to Veterinary Technology
ANIMLSCI 115 and 115L Large Animal Clinical Nursing
ANIMLSCI 220 Anatomy and Physiology
ANIMLSCI 260 Animal Care and Welfare
ANIMLSCI 285 Cell and Molecular Biology
ANIMLSCI 366 and 375 Vet Micro lab and discussion
ANIMLSCI 355 Vet Clinical Lab Techniques

Extra-departmental courses:

*BIOLOGY 151/152/153 Introductory Biology
*CHEM 111/112 General Chemistry
NATSCI 387 CNS Junior Writing Course
Math 104 or test-out
STATS 111 or STATS 240 Introductory Statistics or RESEC 212

Additional Animal Science Major - Animal Management Concentration/Subplan requirements

ANIMLSCI 320 Animal Business Management
ANIMLSCI 333 or 332 Nutrition
ANIMLSCI 372 Animal Diseases
ANIMLSCI 392A Careers Seminar
ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction

Complete ONE Laboratory Course

ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
ANIMLSCI 385 Introductory Biotechnology Lab
ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology
BIOCHEM 421 Elementary Biochemistry Lab

Complete 8 credits from the list below:

ANIMLSCI 231 Dorset Sheep Management I
ANIMLSCI 251 Dorset Sheep Management II
ANIMLSCI 232 Belted Galloway Management I
ANIMLSCI 252 Belted Galloway Management II
ANIMLSCI 233 Boer Goat Management I
ANIMLSCI 253 Boer Goat Management II
ANIMLSCI 234 Poultry Management I
ANIMLSCI 254 Poultry Management II
ANIMLSCI 236 Equine Management I
ANIMLSCI 256 Equine Management II
ANIMLSCI 297DC Dairy Calf Management I
ANIMLSCI 297D Dairy Calf Management II
ANIMLSCI 298V Techniques in Veterinary Nursing
ANIMLSCI 455 Research Animal Management I
ANIMLSCI 456 Research Animal Management II

Complete 3 credits from the list below:

ANIMLSCI 432 Advanced Nutrition
ANIMLSCI 445A Equine Reproduction Lab
ANIMLSCI 373 Equine Diseases
ANIMLSCI 454 Dairy Herd Management
ANIMLSCI 297L Livestock Classic
ANIMLSCI 297P Livestock Classic Management & Coaching
ANIMLSCI 297B Artificial Insemination
ANIMLSCI 497L Winter Travelling Dairy
ANIMLSCI 296T Intro to Teaching in Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 396T Intermediate Teaching in Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 496T Advanced Teaching in Animal Science
ANIMLSCI 291C Biotech Research – Cellular and Molecular I
ANIMLSCI 391C Biotech Research – Cellular and Molecular II
ANIMLSCI 491C Biotech Research – Cellular and Molecular III
ANIMLSCI 291M Biotech Research – Animal Models I
ANIMLSCI 391M Biotech Research – Animal Models II
ANIMLSCI 491M Biotech Research – Animal Models III

Additional Animal Science Major - Animal Biotechnology and Research Concentration/Subplan requirements

ANIMLSCI 333 or 332 Animal Nutrition
ANIMLSCI 365 Fundamentals in Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory Techniques
ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology
ANIMLSCI 372 Animal Diseases
ANIMLSCI 392A Careers Seminar
ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction
ANIMLSCI 455 Research Animal Management I
ANIMLSCI 456 Research Animal Management II

6 credits of Biotechnology Research or 2 credits of Biotechnology Research and ANIMLSCI 385 Introductory Biotechnology Lab:

291C Biotech Research - Cellular and Molecular I
291M Biotech Research - Animal Models I
391C Biotech Research - Cellular and Molecular II
391M Biotech Research - Animal Models II
491C Biotech Research - Cellular and Molecular III
491M Biotech Research - Animal Models III

Additional Animal Science Major - Equine Science Concentration/Subplan requirements

ANIMLSCI 236 Equine Management I
ANIMLSCI 256 Equine Management II
ANIMLSCI 301 Equine Learning and Behavior
ANIMLSCI 302 Development and Training of the Horse
ANIMLSCI 320 Animal Business Management
ANIMLSCI 333 Equine, Cattle and Companion Animal Nutrition
ANIMLSCI 373 Equine Diseases
ANIMLSCI 392A Careers Seminar
ANIMLSCI 401 Management of the Equine Athlete
ANIMLSCI 402 Equine Rehabilitation
ANIMLSCI 421 Wildlife Reproduction
ANIMLSCI 445A Equine Reproduction Lab

Additional Pre-Veterinary Major requirements

*CHEM 261 - Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 262/269 - Organic Chemistry II with Lab
*MATH 127 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I
PHYSICS 131/132 Introductory Physics I,II with Lab
ANIMLSCI 366 Veterinary Microbiology
ANIMLSCI 572 Infection and Immunity
ANIMLSCI 521 Physiology of Reproduction

Additional Veterinary Technology Major requirements (completed on the UMass at Mount Ida Campus)

ANIMLSCI 415 and 415L Clinical Nursing
ANIMLSCI 435 Veterinary Pharmacology
ANIMLSCI 475 Veterinary Pathology
ANIMLSCI 225 Anatomy Lab for Vet Techs
ANIMLSCI 465 and 465L Diagnostic Imaging Lecture and Lab
ANIMLSCI 485 and 485L Small Animal Anesthesia and Surgery Lecture and Lab
ANIMLSCI 405 Veterinary Management
ANIMLSCI 425 and 425L Parasitology Lecture and Lab
ANIMLSCI 455V and 455VL Lab Animal Medicine and Management I
ANIMLSCI 333 Equine, Cattle and Companion Animal Nutrition
ANIMLSCI 492V Senior Seminar
ANIMLSCI 498V I-IV Senior Internships (12 credits)
ANIMLSCI 456V Lab Animal Medicine and Management II or Exotic Animal Medicine
ANIMLSCI 494V Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in Veterinary Medicine

Electives: Clinical Animal Behavior, Exotic Animal Medicine, Wildlife Conservation and Veterinary Management in Belize, Costa Rican Turtle Conservation, Shelter Medicine.

Animal Management Concentration

Students who choose to follow a career in Animal Management will have a well-structured and strong curriculum that can make them highly competitive in the market place, preparing them for both large-scale and small-scale farming of domestic animals, that is, “backyard to industrial”. The ‘buy local’ movement is expected to increase available jobs in New England for those schooled in this field. The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences offers a series of courses that formalize the curriculum and accessory courses are taken in ancillary departments to provide expertise in non-domesticated animal management (wildlife, zoo, exotics) or for a career in teaching agriculture. Students have access to a number of animal species at our associated farms on which to learn management skills, including: Belted Galloway cattle, Boer meat goats, Dorset sheep, and poultry. The Department also partners with a local dairy farm where students care for the dairy calves and learn management skills. The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences emphasizes animal ethics of food animal production as well as the impact of farming techniques on the environment.

Animal Biotechnology and Research Concentration

Students interested in laboratory or research careers in the fields of veterinary and human health or biotechnology should choose the Animal Biotechnology and Research concentration. Biotechnologists explore and develop new technologies in molecular biology, molecular genetics, embryo manipulation and cell and tissue culture. We encourage students to pursue their research interests and develop deductive reasoning skills in our laboratories, working with diverse animal species. Off campus, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Internship Challenge offers paid internships that have allowed our students to gain invaluable experience in biotechnology companies. (http://www.masslifesciences.com/programs/internship/ ) Animals contribute to human health through companionship, as models for human and animal diseases, as well as a source of food and fiber. There is a need for graduates who are familiar with animals to serve as lab technicians in the laboratories of both public and private research institutions.

Equine Science Concentration

The Equine Science concentration is designed for students interested in working in the equine business, nutrition and health fields. Horses require skillful management, knowledgeable trainers, specialized facilities, and appropriate nutritional programs. Those who enjoy horses can establish a satisfying career in this diverse and popular industry that involves agriculture, business, and recreation. Students gain experience and build professional contacts through internships, career seminars, and industry association events. Related opportunities exist in areas such as tack and equipment sales, horse feed and supplement consulting, alternative medicine, equine journalism and photography, and equine-assisted therapies. According to a 2016 study commissioned by the Massachusetts Farm Bureau, there are approximately 26,000 horses on 2,300 farms in Massachusetts, resulting in related career opportunities.

Veterinary Technology Major

Veterinary technology offers a rewarding and challenging career for dedicated, caring individuals who are committed to helping animals and their owners and improving animal health through excellent veterinary care. Veterinary technologists have much to offer to the veterinary field in the care and management of animals. By assuming many of the nursing duties and care of the patients, veterinary technologists enable veterinarians to concentrate on their patient caseloads and expand the range and quality of services provided. They are the nurses of the veterinary medical profession.

The veterinary technology degree at UMass Amherst is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and meets all program requirements to fulfill accreditation standards. Veterinary technology students are required to complete knowledge base requirements and perform essential skills on animals for the completion of their degree. Students who graduate from our accredited veterinary technology program are then able to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) which is required by most states for technicians to be credentialed

In the first two years of the four-year degree program, students will complete their introductory course work on the UMass Amherst campus, which includes small animal and large animal clinical nursing, biology, math and writing, animal welfare, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and veterinary clinical lab techniques, along with General Education course requirements. Junior year, students move to the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst in Newton, Mass. During junior and senior years, students complete their upper level skill requirements in courses such as veterinary diagnostic imaging, veterinary pharmacology, small animal anesthesia and surgery, veterinary parasitology, pharmacology, veterinary management, and laboratory animal medicine and management.

Students are required to complete 480 hours of practical experience through internships in veterinary practice, clinical research sites or other veterinary experiences. The veterinary technology program boasts a large network of internships including veterinary hospitals, such as Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, wildlife centers, research institutes, zoos and clinical pathology labs.