Animal Science
About the Major
The Animal Science major prepares you for business related or hands on careers in the animal industry. The curriculum teaches students about animal breeding, growth, nutrition, physiology, health, behavior, management, welfare, production and food products.
Students can also develop skills in clinical and laboratory procedures, critical and ethical thinking, as well as verbal and written communication.
Career Outcomes
Where do students work after graduation?
Where do students work after graduation?
| Job Title | Employer |
|---|---|
| Adoption Coordinator | Happy Tails Rescue |
| Agronomy Sales Advisor | Innovative Ag Services |
| Animal Care Technician | Mayo Clinic |
| Animal Labatory Scientist | University of Minnesota |
| Client Services | Veterinary Medical Center |
| Dietetic Intern | M Health Fairview |
| Foster Program Coordinator | Tree House Humane Society |
| Large Animal Veterinary Technician Assistant | University of Minnesota |
| Management Associate | Cargill |
| Marketing Communications Manager | Holstein Association USA |
| R&D Lab Technician | Milk Specialties Global |
| Surgical Research Technician | Data Sciences International |
| Technician Assistant | South Metro Animal Emergency Care |
| Territory Sales Manager | GENEX |
| Tissue Processing Technician | HLT Medical |
| Vet Tech | Vet Partners Apple Valley |
| Veterinarian Technician | Blue Pearl Animal Hospital |
| Veterinary Assistant | VCA Feist Animal Hospital |
| Veterinary Assistant | Park Grove Pet Hopital |
| Veterinary Assistant | Southview Animal Hospital |
| Veterinary Assistant | VCA Feist Animal Hospital |
| Veterinary Assistant | VCA Feist Animal Hospital |
| Veterinary technician | Haarstad Veterinary Dermatology |
Where do students continue education after graduation?
Where do students continue education after graduation?
| Program | School |
|---|---|
| Animal Nutriton | University of Minnesota |
| Animal Science | University of Minnesota |
| Horticulture | University of Minnesota |
| Veterinary Medicine | St. Georges University |
| Veterinary Medicine | St. Georges University |
| Veterinary Medicine | University of Minnesota |
| Veterinary Medicine | University of Minnesota |
| Veterinary medicine | University of Minnesota |
| Veterinary Medicine | Cornell University |
| Veterinary Medicine | Iowa State University |
| Veterinary Medicine | Royal Veterinary College |
| Veterinary Medicine | Saint Matthews University |
| Veterinary Medicine | University of Minnesota |
| Veterinary Medicine | University of Minnesota |
| Veterinary Medicine | University of Minnesota |
| Veterinary Medicine | University of Minnesota |
| Veterinary Medicine | University of Wisconsin Madison |
Where students interned and gained experience during school
Where are alumni 5 years after graduation?
Where are alumni 5 years after graduation?
| Job Title | Employer |
|---|---|
| Animal Control Investigator | Humane Rescue Alliance |
| Associate Veterinarian | Equine Medical Center of Ocala |
| Barn Worker | HorsePlay Ranch |
| Beef Specialist | Vita Plus Corporation |
| CEO | Mounds View Acres |
| Credit Officer DIversified | Compeer FInancial |
| Dairy Nutritionist | ProVision Partners Cooperative |
| Director of Sales | Manna Pro Products, LLC |
| Herd Manager | Quarry Hill Dairy |
| ICU Technician | University of Minnesota |
| Local 4-H Extension Educator | UMN |
| Manager in Training | Hog Procurement at Smithfield Foods |
| Nutrition and Quality Control Specialist | Christensen Farms |
| Operations Specialist | University of Minnesota |
| PEAK Program Analyst | URUS Group |
| Pharmacy Technician | UW Veterinary Teaching Hospital Pharmacy |
| Professional Formulator | Land O Lakes Inc. |
| R&D Associate | Milk Specialties Global |
| Research associate and Manager of Animal Research | Recombinetics |
| Research Technician | American Preclinical Services, LLC |
| Ruminant Sales & Services Specialist | Big Gain Inc. |
| Scientist, R&D - Product Development | The Kraft Heinz Company |
| Supervisor | Chuck & Don's Pet Food & Supplies |
| Veterinarian | VCA Promenade Animal Hosptial |
| Veterinary Assistant | Animal Wellness Center |
Where are alumni 10 years after graduation?
Where are alumni 10 years after graduation?
| Job Title | Employer |
|---|---|
| Associate Veterinarian | Belmont Veterinary Center |
| Associate Veterinarian | Pioneer Equine Hosital |
| Associate Veterinarian | Quarry Hill Park Animal Hospital |
| Associate Veterinarian | Rivertown Animal Hospital |
| Associate Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager | Stantec |
| Customer Service Representative | CHS |
| Dairy Nutrition Consultant | Form-A-Feed |
| Dairy Production Veterinarian | Riverview, LLP |
| Director of Sales | Finley's Barkery SBC |
| Emergency Veterinarian | Carolina Veterinary Specialists |
| Environmental Health Specialist | Ramsey County |
| Hiring Manager | Animal Emergecy & Referral Center of Minnesota |
| Houston Area Medical Doctor | THRIVE Affordable Vet Care |
| Owner | Schoene Kuh Dairy |
| Poultry Extension Educator | Penn State University |
| Relief Keeper | Lincoln Children's Zoo |
| Senior Medical Writer | Medtronic |
| Veterinarian | Banfield Pet Hospital |
| Veterinarian | Premier Veterinary Group |
| Veterinarian | Swine Vet Center |
Full outcomes report including salary, locations, satisfaction, and more
Common Entry-Level Job Titles
- Agronomy Sales Representative
- Animal Care Technician
- Farm Manager
- Lab Analyst
- Management Associate
- Marketing Coordinator
- Pet Store Manager
- Production Specialist
- Researcher
- Veterinary Assistant/Technician
- Zookeeper
Top Employers
- American Preclinical Services
- Banfield Pet Hospital
- Broadway Robbinsdale Animal Hospital
- Covance Clinical Research
- East Lake Animal Clinic
- Edina Pet Hospital
- Land O' Lakes
- Mission Animal Hospital
- University of Minnesota
- VCA Feist Animal Hospital
- Westgate Pet Clinic
Types of Employers
- Agricultural business organizations
- Animal hospitals
- Animal production facilities
- Animal nutrition companies
- Dairy farms
- Government agencies
- Horse breeding/racing industry
- Pet stores
- University laboratories
- Veterinary clinics
Top Career Resources
- Animal Science Job Postings in Handshake
- Student Doctor Network - Vet Med & Vet School Resources
- American Society of Animal Science
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Association of Zoos & Aquariums
- AgCareers
- AgHires
- AgriCareers
- Ag Career Profiles
- Pre-Health Student Resource Center
- AgriGrowth - Ag Talent & Workforce Corner
Meet Your Career Consultant
Heather (she/her) can assist you with
- Major and career exploration
- Internship planning
- Job searching
- Interview prep and practice
- Grad school planning and more...
Additional Resources
In addition to these resources we recommend the following strategies to locate more information about careers related to your major:
- O*NET and Careerwise. These tools provide comprehensive information about a wide range of careers including typical duties, salaries, employment outlook, skills and interests.
- Locate professional associations related to your major or career interests by conducting a Google Search on “(Name of major/career area/industry) professional associations.” Try these keywords: animal, science, bovine, poultry, veterinarian, herd, research, production, food, equine, comfort, companion, zoo keeping, wildlife, management, agribusiness, pets, livestock
- Get involved in one of the many industry-related student groups on campus. These groups provide links to experiences, guest speakers, and discussion with like-minded students.
- Study Abroad Information for Animal Science