Bachelor of Science - Animal Science Major
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science Major
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Upcoming start dates
Semester 2 - 14 Jul 2025
Semester 1 - 23 Feb 2026
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Qualification
Bachelors
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Duration
3 years full-time
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Credits
360
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Location
Lincoln University Campus
Animals are central to our wellbeing in New Zealand, whether we are developing animal-derived food and products for export, managing the environmental impact of introduced animal species, or considering the role animals play in our lives as companions and pets.
Understanding animals' behaviour, the drivers of their health and well-being, their value to us, and our responsibilities to them plays a key role in our day-to-day activities and the economy.
The Bachelor of Science (majoring in Animal Science) aligns with the needs of industry, preparing you to lead knowledge-driven solutions to some of the industry’s most significant challenges, now and into the future.
The programme provides an in-depth knowledge of animal science and production, with a focus on animal welfare, health and biosecurity, in an overarching framework of sustainability principles in land, systems and community.
How you’ll grow
- Understand the biological, physiological, and biochemical processes that underpin animal form and function.
- Describe key scientific principles of breeding and genetics, nutrition, growth, reproduction, lactation and welfare for animals.
- Outline current scientific and public debates in animal ownership, management and livestock production, including sustainability, the ethical use of animals and their welfare.
- Describe major diseases that impact animal health and welfare.
- Understand management methods for biosecurity and the control of pest species, as well as their impact on the environment, biodiversity and livestock production.
- Identify key functional areas of livestock management and their links with the overall global supply chain.
- Outline how animal performance can be manipulated to improve animal production with consideration to ethical treatment, welfare and sustainability.
- Acquire, analyse and interpret information across a range of animal systems.
- Develop an awareness of Māori perspectives and their implications for animal science.
Career opportunities
The Bachelor of Science (majoring in Animal Science) will prepare you for a wide range of technical, advocacy and management roles across the animal science, management and livestock production industries. Potential positions include animal breeding specialist, conservation officer, biosecurity officer, animal production specialist, animal welfare officer and animal science researcher.
Programme information
University Entrance through NCEA or an approved, equivalent qualification.
If you have an overseas qualification, you can find out more about entry requirements here.
*If English isn’t your first language, other entry requirements will apply. Learn more about English language requirements.
Summary of Regulations
All of the following:
- Pass at least 360 credits (24 courses)
- Pass all compulsory courses
- Complete no more than 165 credits (11 courses) at the 100 level
- Complete at least 75 credits (5 courses) at the 300 level
- Meet the requirements of at least one of the named Bachelor of Science majors
- Please refer to the Academic Calendar for all of the suggested electives for the Bachelor of Science.
What's it going to cost?
Learn more by using the Domestic Fees Calculator or viewing the International Fees.
You can start studying in either:
- Semester 1 (late February)
- Semester 2 (mid-July)*
There are also options for starting in summer semesters, but the range of courses available would be limited.
*Please obtain course advice if you’re considering this option.
There may be an opportunity to add an additional major to your study programme. Please refer to the programme course advisor for further information.
Graduate attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.
Knowledge
- Describe the biological, physiological, and biochemical processes that underpin animal form and function.
- Describe the scientific principles of breeding, nutrition, growth, reproduction, lactation and welfare in animal production systems.
- Outline current scientific and public debates in animal production, including sustainability, the ethical use of animals and their welfare.
- Describe the major animal diseases that impact animal health and welfare in livestock production in New Zealand.
- Describe the management methods for biosecurity and the control of pest species, as well as their impact on livestock production and biodiversity.
- Identify key functional areas of management and their interlinkage with the overall global supply chain.
- Outline how animal performance can be manipulated to improve animal production with consideration to ethical treatment, welfare, and sustainability.
Skills
- Acquire, analyse and interpret information across a range of animal systems.
- Utilise and expand existing knowledge and skills to solve a range of theoretical and practical problems.
- Apply the scientific method and correctly interpret the results of scientific studies.
- Apply scientific methods in a real-world context through exposure to industry and sectors that utilise this science.
- Employ scientific methods to solve problems both independently and as part of a team.
- Competently apply statistics and biometrics, in the design of experiments and data analysis.
- Collect, collate, synthesise, and interpret data across a wide range of disciplines.
- Communicate information effectively in written and oral form to lay and expert audiences.
- Relate effectively to people from a wide range of backgrounds and communities.
- Use self-directed learning.
Values
- Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning sustainable development in animal production.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of scientific research.
- Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning animal welfare, ethical use, and biosecurity in animal production science and their limitations.
- Develop an awareness of Māori perspectives and their implications for animal science.
- Develop an awareness of the importance of cultural indigenous knowledge.
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Entry requirements
University Entrance through NCEA or an approved, equivalent qualification.
If you have an overseas qualification, you can find out more about entry requirements here.
*If English isn’t your first language, other entry requirements will apply. Learn more about English language requirements.
-
Regulations and fees
Summary of Regulations
All of the following:
- Pass at least 360 credits (24 courses)
- Pass all compulsory courses
- Complete no more than 165 credits (11 courses) at the 100 level
- Complete at least 75 credits (5 courses) at the 300 level
- Meet the requirements of at least one of the named Bachelor of Science majors
- Please refer to the Academic Calendar for all of the suggested electives for the Bachelor of Science.
What's it going to cost?
Learn more by using the Domestic Fees Calculator or viewing the International Fees.
-
Intake semesters
You can start studying in either:
- Semester 1 (late February)
- Semester 2 (mid-July)*
There are also options for starting in summer semesters, but the range of courses available would be limited.
*Please obtain course advice if you’re considering this option.
-
Additional major
There may be an opportunity to add an additional major to your study programme. Please refer to the programme course advisor for further information.
-
Graduate attributes
Graduate attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.
Knowledge
- Describe the biological, physiological, and biochemical processes that underpin animal form and function.
- Describe the scientific principles of breeding, nutrition, growth, reproduction, lactation and welfare in animal production systems.
- Outline current scientific and public debates in animal production, including sustainability, the ethical use of animals and their welfare.
- Describe the major animal diseases that impact animal health and welfare in livestock production in New Zealand.
- Describe the management methods for biosecurity and the control of pest species, as well as their impact on livestock production and biodiversity.
- Identify key functional areas of management and their interlinkage with the overall global supply chain.
- Outline how animal performance can be manipulated to improve animal production with consideration to ethical treatment, welfare, and sustainability.
Skills
- Acquire, analyse and interpret information across a range of animal systems.
- Utilise and expand existing knowledge and skills to solve a range of theoretical and practical problems.
- Apply the scientific method and correctly interpret the results of scientific studies.
- Apply scientific methods in a real-world context through exposure to industry and sectors that utilise this science.
- Employ scientific methods to solve problems both independently and as part of a team.
- Competently apply statistics and biometrics, in the design of experiments and data analysis.
- Collect, collate, synthesise, and interpret data across a wide range of disciplines.
- Communicate information effectively in written and oral form to lay and expert audiences.
- Relate effectively to people from a wide range of backgrounds and communities.
- Use self-directed learning.
Values
- Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning sustainable development in animal production.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of scientific research.
- Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning animal welfare, ethical use, and biosecurity in animal production science and their limitations.
- Develop an awareness of Māori perspectives and their implications for animal science.
- Develop an awareness of the importance of cultural indigenous knowledge.
Programme Structure
First Year
Semester 1 Courses
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Semester 1 Courses
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{{ 'BIOS 110' | except-last-word }} {{ 'BIOS 110' | last-word }}
Biological Sciences
15 credits
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{{ 'PHSC 101' | except-last-word }} {{ 'PHSC 101' | last-word }}
Chemistry IA
15 credits
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BSc - AnSc Yr 1: At least one of*
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Elective
Semester 2 Courses
Second Year
Semester 1 Courses
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Semester 1 Courses
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{{ 'BICH 207' | except-last-word }} {{ 'BICH 207' | last-word }}
Biochemistry II
15 credits
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{{ 'ANSC 213' | except-last-word }} {{ 'ANSC 213' | last-word }}
Livestock Production Science
15 credits
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BSc - AnSc Yr 2: At least one of*
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Elective
Semester 2 Courses
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Semester 2 Courses
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{{ 'QMET 201' | except-last-word }} {{ 'QMET 201' | last-word }}
Biometrics
15 credits
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Elective
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Elective
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Elective
Third Year
Semester 1 Courses
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Semester 1 Courses
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{{ 'ANSC 327' | except-last-word }} {{ 'ANSC 327' | last-word }}
Animal Nutrition, Biochemistry and Metabolism
15 credits
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BSc AnSc Yr 3 List A: At least one from List A&B*
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BSc AnSc Yr 3 List B: At least one from List A&B*
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Elective
Semester 2 Courses
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Semester 2 Courses
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{{ 'ANSC 319' | except-last-word }} {{ 'ANSC 319' | last-word }}
Animal Physiology
15 credits
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Elective
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Elective
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Elective
- Compulsory courses
- Elective courses
- Choose between an elective or the list below
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*BSc - AnSc Yr 1: At least one of
List A
Semester 1
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*BSc - AnSc Yr 2: At least one of
List B
Semester 1
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*BSc AnSc Yr 3 List A: At least one from List A&B
List C
Semester 1
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*BSc AnSc Yr 3 List B: At least one from List A&B
List D
Semester 1
This degree structure is indicative only. A course advisor will help you to select your electives and plan your degree. You can check out our courses to see what electives might interest you.
Programme contacts
Key information for students
Compare qualification and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Need more info?
Email us on grow@lincoln.ac.nz
Or call us on 0800 10 60 10
If you're overseas, please call +64 3 423 0000
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