COURSE CURRICULUM

The Animal Science major at University of New Hampshire is a comprehensive program designed to build strong scientific knowledge and practical skills related to animal biology, health, and management, with students required to earn at least a C- grade in all required courses to successfully graduate. The curriculum begins with a solid foundation in core sciences, including biology, chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, and statistics, ensuring students understand the fundamental biological processes that affect animal life. Building on this, all animal science majors complete essential subject-specific courses such as animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, genetics, diseases, animal rights, and technical writing, which together provide a deep understanding of animal systems and industry practices. Students also choose an introductory course based on their interests, such as general animal science, equine science, or dairy herd management, followed by a specialized reproduction course covering areas like reproductive physiology, lactation, or endocrinology. In addition, students must complete at least three major electives, with requirements ensuring exposure to advanced-level coursework and hands-on experiential learning, allowing them to explore areas such as livestock management, veterinary medicine, animal health applications, equine management, and agricultural business. A minimum portion of these electives must involve direct, practical experience with animals, reinforcing real-world skills. The program culminates in a capstone experience during the senior year, which may include cooperative farm management programs, advanced dairy management, farm design projects, equine capstone work, or an honors thesis involving research and applied learning. For students planning to pursue graduate studies or veterinary school, additional courses in organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and calculus are recommended to meet advanced academic requirements. Overall, the program combines scientific theory, technical training, and experiential learning to prepare graduates for careers in animal-related industries or further professional education.