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 structure

Courses

Year 1

BIOS110 Biological Sciences

PHSC101 Chemistry 1A

ANSC105 Animal Science

ECOL103 New Zealand Ecology and Conservation

Plus at least one of

LINC101 Land, People and Economies

MAST104 Te Tiriti O Waitangi

PHIL103 Philosophy and Critical Thinking

BMGT116 Principles of Management

Plus three electives

Year 2

QMET201 Biometrics

BICH207 Biochemistry II

ANSC213 Livestock Production Science

Plus at least one of

ANSC207 Animal Health

ECOL293 Field Ecology Methods

GENE201 Genetics

Plus four electives

Year 3

ANSC319 Animal Physiology

ANSC327 Animal Nutrition, Biochemistry and Metabolism

Plus at least one each from List A and B

List A

ANSC312 Dairy Production Science

BICH301 Advanced Biochemistry

ECOL302 Applied Ecology and Conservation

PHIL304 Social and Environmental Ethics

SCIE393 Advanced Field Research

List B

ANSC314 Meat and Wool Production Science

ENTO304 Insect Ecology and Diversity

GENE301 Applied Genetics and Breeding

SCIE393 Advanced Field Research

Plus four electives