Animal Science, B.S.
Hands-on science with mud on your boots and dirt under your fingernails.
Practical animal stewardship and a refined scientific understanding of animals targeted at making an immediate impact in medicine, government, academia, and the industry.
Your whole world is right there.
In Animal Science, our faculty are conducting pioneering research and are sought-after experts in their fields. But mentoring you and cultivating your talents is their top priority.
Our facilities are more than world class. They are a world of their own. You’re never more than steps from the dairy, beef, swine, sheep, goat, and deer barns—because we believe some of our best teachers don’t walk on two legs.
Animal Science is the right major if you’re:
- prepping for graduate or veterinary school
- interested in animal-related research
- driven to manage a farm or other business related to animals
- pursuing a career in agricultural sales or service
- hoping to impact our communities through community-based education
One major. Two paths. Infinite destinations.
Business and Animal Management Option
This path combines business and the production and management of animals. Grads chair Fortune 500s, manage agricultural operations, and are leaders in government.
Example Business Courses
- Agribusiness Problem Solving
- Global Agribusiness
- Farm Planning and Financial Management
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurial Leadership
Example Production Courses
- Field Crop Management
- Pets in Society
- Introduction to Livestock Judging
- Small and Large Animal Health
- Milk Secretion
Science Option
This is an in-depth study of the basic sciences relevant to animal biology. This path leads to opportunities in research, the pharma industry, and genetics, and is a great track toward veterinary school.
Example Courses
- Applied Animal Welfare
- Principles of Avian Diseases
- Techniques in Reproduction
- Endocrinology
- Biology of Animal Parasites
AgJourneys
“I came for an education. I found a network for life.”
– Melissa Mercado
The classroom is only the beginning.
You’ll study with professors who are leaders in their specialties, but they’ll be the first to tell you that the classroom is just the beginning of your Animal Science experience.
You name the species and industry, and we’ll find you a faculty-guided club, internship, externship, or hands-on research opportunity for that. The learning doesn’t stop on campus, or in Pennsylvania for that matter. How do they raise cattle in California? Swine in Switzerland? You go, and you find out.
Craft your experience.
Related Clubs
- Block and Bridle Club
- Collegiate 4-H
- Penn State Equine Research Team
Recent Internships
- Caretaker at the Philadelphia Zoo
- Research assistant at Pfizer
- Operations intern at Tyson Foods
Popular Study Abroad
- Exploring the pasture-based dairy industry of the Azores
- Touring processing plants and farms in Guanajuato, Mexico
- Learning about the dairy industry in Switzerland
A practical, workforce-ready degree—and a college experience you’ll love.
Penn State Animal Science grads are all over the world doing the most amazing things. From agriculture to medicine and law and everything in between. You can harness the awesome power of a truly unique education at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Where Our Alumni Work
- American Angus Association
- Dairy Farmers of America
- Genex, Inc.
- Indianapolis Zoo
- Land O’ Lakes, Inc.
- Pennsylvania Beef Council
- Pfizer Animal Health
- Tyson Foods
- USDA NRCS
What Our Alumni Do
- Ag finance
- Animal management
- Biotechnology research
- Genetics and nutrition
- Industry relations
- Marketing
- Pharmaceutical research
- Quality assurance
- Sales and service
- Veterinary medicine
