Animal Sciences

• Learn in some of the most complete and modern college facilities in the nation, including the WSU Dairy Center, the Feed Preparation Laboratory, and the Ensminger Beef Center.
• Receive one-on-one advising from experienced and dedicated professors committed to your career goals.
• Benefit from the animal science program's close relationship with the University's College of Veterinary Medicine work toward a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
• Learn from award-winning faculty who are recognized nationally for their teaching and research programs. WSU animal science and general agriculture faculty are ranked in the top 10 nationally for their research productivity and influence.
• You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.
• Participate in department clubs and judging teams; there are several to choose from.
• Get hands-on experience in the animal science department’s dairy, beef, swine, horse, aquaculture, and companion animal centers.

The animal science major is a practical, science-based program that focuses on biological systems related to livestock and other animal species. Animal science applies this scientific base to the production and management of animals and includes the study of animal behavior, well-being, and husbandry.

The animal science major offers especially valuable benefits to pre-veterinary students.

• Hands-on experience in the animal science department’s dairy, beef, swine, horse, aquaculture, and companion animal centers.
• A low student-to-faculty ratio, which means you can get one-on-one advising from nationally recognized faculty who are dedicated to helping you reach your goal.
• A close working relationship with the University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
• Classes that focus on the nutrition, reproduction, and breeding and genetics of domestic and companion animals.

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.

For all students at WSU

Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:

• Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration, including departmental awards.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need. Get started here.

Click here for more info about WSU scholarships and financial aid

For agriculture majors

The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) annually awards more than $500,000 to students. For more information, see the CAHNRS scholarship page.

Numerous activities each year are sponsored through the department’s clubs and organizations, which include:

• Dairy Club
• Block and Bridle Club
• Collegiate Horseman’s Association
• Rodeo Club
• Cooperative University Dairy Students
• Cougar Cattle Feeders
• Student Swine Co-op

Students can also travel to participate in national events such as Block & Bridle Club Annual Convention, Dairy Club Annual Meetings and regional and national Dairy Challenge Competitions.

Students planning to study animal sciences should take chemistry, biology, and mathematics, and have solid communication and writing skills from high school.

Students wanting to attend two-year colleges and then transfer to WSU should contact the department to coordinate their coursework.

A degree in animal sciences can prepare you for a wide variety of jobs and careers. For instance:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Livestock Management
• Animal Health Product Sales
• Feed Sales/Management
• Breed Field Representative
• Artificial Breeding Technician
• Public Relations Specialist
• Research & Lab Technician
• Teaching
• Research
• Environmental Quality Specialist
• Animal/Livestock Insurance
• Meat Inspector
• Financial Analyst
• Pet Food Specialist
• Market Reporter