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College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

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Animal Sciences

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Animal Sciences

The Animal Sciences Major at Wisconsin

The world's human population and its demands on the earth's resources continues to grow. The ever-increasing need for protein and nutrients calls for a productive and sustainable animal agricultural system which balances the realities of population size and the natural resource base.

Animal Sciences combines science and technology as they apply to the production, management and distribution of livestock for food, fiber and recreation. Additionally, it is an appropriate major for biologists interested in animals and eventual careers after Veterinary, Medical, Dental or Graduate School. A full range of courses are available that can be tailored to fit individual needs and interests. This combination of quality and flexibility has made us the fastest growing CALS department in recent years.

Where You'll be Learning

The department's faculty includes specialists in genetics, reproduction, nutrition, physiology, meat science, marketing and management. With the highly-trained teaching staff, students in the Department of Animal Sciences gain valuable knowledge and hands-on experience. The Department of Animal Sciences is centered in the Animal Science Building, which contains classrooms, laboratories, a student library and student reading room. Steenbock Library, which serves the agricultural campus, is withi one block of the department, as are the Muscle Biology Laboratory, Stock Pavilion, Livestock Laboratory, Poultry Laboratory, and other facilities for beef cattle, sheep, poultry and swine.

Additional teaching and research facilities are available at the UW Experiment Station at Arlington. These include the sheep unit; turkey and chicken research units; beef feedlot and purebred Angus, Polled Hereford and Simmental herds, as well as a swine research and instruction facility. Other experiment stations through-out the state add to the department's resource base with major departmental involvement at Spooner and Lancaster.

A Bright and flexible future

The undergraduate curriculum helps students explore a variety of career opportunities. Possibilities cover a diverse range from work with feed and seed companies to teaching; from broadcasting to international agriculture, from farm management to cutting edge research.

Career opportunities exist in:

  • Advertising/Promotions
  • Agribusiness
  • Agricultural Journalism
  • Commercial Production
  • Equipment Design/Sales/Service
  • Exotic Animal Care
  • Extension Service
  • Farm Management
  • Feed Formulation/Service
  • Field Service
  • Finance/Banking
  • Food Science
  • Genetics and Breeding
  • Hatchery Management
  • International Work
  • Market Analysis/Reporting
  • Nutrition
  • Physiology
  • Processing Plant Management
  • Product Technology/Development
  • Regulation (State/Federal)
  • Research
  • Sales
  • Specialty Production
  • Teaching
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Wildlife Programs

Students entering the department should have a background in the physical and biological sciences. However, a farm or animal related background is not required. In fact, over half of departmental undergraduates were not raised on a farm.

Experiences Outside of Class

Animal Sciences, through the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, provides an opportunity for students to obtain practical experience and learn more about potential career opportunities through their participation in coordinative internships. Animal Sciences students gain experience in positions including veterinary assistants, research technicians, meat buyers, pharmaceutical marketers, farm managers, reproductive technicians, nutritionists, etc.

Experience Outside of Class

Many students choose to get involved in research throughout their undergraduate career via volunteering, classes, or part-time jobs. The CALS capstone experience requires all students to get involved in research at UW-Madison. For biology, this research can be in any area of biology and can take the shape of an independent study, a senior thesis, or a senior honors thesis. You will be able to work with any of over 700 biology professors on campus for your capstone experience, including professors in the Medical School and the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Student clubs provide experience and leadership opportunities in a fun, social setting. Saddle and Sirloin Club, Poultry Science Club, Meat Animal Evaluation Team and annual Animal Science Study Tour are groups which make Animal Sciences students some of the most active on campus.

Departmental Work Study and Research

Recent graduates tell us that some of their most valuable college experiences were gained as a result of their participation in animal and biological research being conducted in departmental laboratories and farms.

Financial Assistance is Available

The college of Agricultural and Life Sciences provides more than 300 scholarships averaging $900 per year. Animal Sciences students have been aided by over 100 of these awards in recent years, based on their need, academic scholarship and/or extra-curricular activities. Many students with established need received low-interest loans and work study programs, within the Department of Animal Sciences.

For more information contact:

  • Department of Animal Sciences
    • 256 Animal Sciences Building | 1675 Observatory Drive | Madison, WI 53706
    • Ph (608) 263-4300

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an AA/EEO institution. University policies create additional protection that prohibits harassment on the basis of cultural background and ethnicity. Inquires concerning these policies may be directed to the appropriate campus admitting or employing unit or to the Equity and Diversity Resource Center, 179-A, Bascom Hall, (608) 263-2378, TTY (608) 263-2473.