What Courses Are in the Program?

General Education Core: 35 creditsEnvironmental Professional Core: 14 creditsElective Courses: 32 creditsProgram Core: 39 creditsANIM 205: Animal NutritionANIM 301: Animal Husbandry and GeneticsANIM 302: Animal Comparative AnatomyANIM 304: Animal Comparative PhysiologyANIM 310: Sustainable Livestock Health, Nutrition, and CareANIM 410: Sustainable Livestock ManagementBIOL 301: Animal Behavior: The Evolution, Ecology, and Social Behavior of AnimalsBIOL 310: MicrobiologyBIOL 315: Cell BiologyCHEM 103: Chemistry IICHEM 104: Chemistry II LaboratoryCHEM 201: Organic Chemistry ICHEM 202: Organic Chemistry I LaboratoryCHEM 301: BiochemistryCHEM 302: Biochemistry LaboratoryFor course requirements and a better look into your program, view our full course catalog. Then apply online for free to get started.

Agricultural Animal Science

Q: What Does the Bachelor's in Agricultural Animal Science Prepare You For?

The Bachelor&#8217;s in Agricultural Animal Science prepares you for careers in livestock management, the agricultural industry, and related scientific fields. You&#8217;ll build hands-on skills in animal handling, data-driven problem solving, and livestock facility design, along with a strong foundation in animal biology, nutrition, and welfare. This program also sets you up for further studies in animal science or veterinary medicine with a focus on production animals.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Protect Animals & Ecosystems

The agricultural animal science bachelor’s degree offers skills-based learning in biology, animal health, and environmental science, ensuring students are prepared to care for livestock with a focus on animal welfare, sustainable practices, and responsible land use.

Career Outlook: Farm Managers in the U.S.

836 K

Number of jobs in 2024*

1 %

Est. job growth through 2034*

$ 90 K

Median annual salary in 2025*

*Source: O*Net/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unity Environmental University cannot guarantee employment. Salary data represents averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience.

Career Outcomes

What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Animal Science?

Farm & Ranch Manager

Oversee daily operations and livestock care on agricultural properties.

Agricultural Extension Agent

Connect farmers with research-based resources and best practices.

Livestock Manager

Optimize animal nutrition, breeding, and herd management systems.

Animal Nutrition Consultant

Advise producers on feed formulations for healthy, productive animals.

Agricultural Inspector (USDA/State)

Enforce food safety and animal welfare standards across farms and facilities.

Sustainable Agriculture Educator

Teach eco-friendly farming methods to communities and producers.

“I chose Unity because I felt like it aligned with me…”

Amanda P.
Bachelor of Science in Animal Science

Read Full Testimonial

Amanda P.
Bachelor of Science in Animal Science

“I chose Unity because I felt like it aligned with me more after doing research. I liked that I had the option to finish my education completely online and that it offered prevet courses unlike other universities.”

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FAQ

Learn More About the Bachelor’s in Agricultural Animal Science

Agricultural animal science is a field of study that focuses on the scientific understanding of animals, including their biology, health, and welfare. It encompasses various aspects related to the care, breeding, nutrition, genetics, physiology, and health of livestock.

The Bachelor’s in Agricultural Animal Science prepares you for careers in livestock management, the agricultural industry, and related scientific fields. You’ll build hands-on skills in animal handling, data-driven problem solving, and livestock facility design, along with a strong foundation in animal biology, nutrition, and welfare. This program also sets you up for further studies in animal science or veterinary medicine with a focus on production animals.

Your online education should be affordable and manageable. Thanks to our promise to keep tuition flat through 2030, you won’t be burdened with unexpected increases or fees.

Our team of Distance Education concierges will work with you through the admissions process to help you plan and pay for your degree. Learn more about the costs here.

Our comprehensive 120-credit program can be tailored to fit your schedule and goals! Completion time is flexible, determined by the number of credits you choose to take each term (8 terms/year) and less time with transfer credits. Without transfer credits, you can anticipate the following completion times:

24 credits/year: Complete in just 5 years
30 credits/year: Achieve your degree in 4 years
48 credits/year: Fast-track your education in only 2.6 years

General Education Core: 35 credits
Environmental Professional Core: 14 credits
Elective Courses: 32 credits
Program Core: 39 credits

ANIM 205: Animal Nutrition
ANIM 301: Animal Husbandry and Genetics
ANIM 302: Animal Comparative Anatomy
ANIM 304: Animal Comparative Physiology
ANIM 310: Sustainable Livestock Health, Nutrition, and Care
ANIM 410: Sustainable Livestock Management
BIOL 301: Animal Behavior: The Evolution, Ecology, and Social Behavior of Animals
BIOL 310: Microbiology
BIOL 315: Cell Biology
CHEM 103: Chemistry II
CHEM 104: Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 201: Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 202: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 301: Biochemistry
CHEM 302: Biochemistry Laboratory

For course requirements and a better look into your program, view our full course catalog. Then apply online for free to get started.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

Agricultural Animal Science Course Examples

Animal Comparative Physiology

Study animal physiology from cells to organ systems, with emphasis on thermoregulation and the circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, and nervous systems.

Animal Nutrition

Learn the fundamentals of animal nutrition across species, including how gastrointestinal structure and function support nutrient absorption.

Sustainable Livestock Health, Nutrition, and Care

Study animal welfare, behavior, nutrition, health, handling, and sustainability across large-scale and small or backyard farms.

Learn from Leaders

Learn from Leaders

PhD, MS, BS in Animal Sciences

Dr. Milca Rosa Velazquez
Global Expert in Animal Science and Nutrition

Learn More About Dr. Rosa-Velazquez

Dr. Milca Rosa Velazquez
Global Expert in Animal Science and Nutrition

Dr. Milca Rosa-Velazquez is a passionate and compassionate Animal Scientist born and raised in Puerto Rico. She received an AS in Pre-Veterinary and a BS in Animal Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico. She later enrolled in the School of Veterinary Medicine at La Complutense University in Madrid, Spain. During her undergraduate studies, she had the opportunity to join a research exchange program with Salamanca University in Spain; it was then that her love for research began.

She received an MS in Animal Sciences from Veracruzana University in Mexico and a PhD from a sandwich program at the Ohio State University and Veracruzana University. Her research focuses on nutritional physiology, health, and epigenetics. It has demonstrated the importance of nutritional supplements in ruminant diets during gestation and its effects on pre- and postnatal offspring growth and health indices. She is an animal welfare advocate. She thinks it is a privilege to work with animals in research. “They are helping us to build a healthier and safer future. Therefore, as caretakers, we should ensure their experience is as pleasant and peaceful as possible.” When not conducting research or teaching, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. She considers herself a citizen of the world. She has lived in different countries, including Spain, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the USA. She speaks English and Spanish fluently and some German. These have allowed her to work and learn from wonderful researchers from all over the world, explore their different cultures and understand their challenges, and bring back home and everywhere she goes valuable knowledge. She is committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity and inclusion are celebrated, and equity is a core value.

Learn from Leaders

PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s in Poultry Science

Dr. Zachary Williams
Global Expert in Microbiology and Bacterial Pathogens

Learn More About Dr. Williams

Dr. Zachary Williams
Global Expert in Microbiology and Bacterial Pathogens

Dr. Williams has a Ph.D. from Auburn University, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Mississippi State University. All three degrees are in poultry science. Dr. Williams’s research activities include microbiology of broiler litter, and controlling bacterial pathogens with proper litter management. Developing better ways to conduct mass mortality composting (primarily poultry species) during a foreign animal disease outbreak.

Dr. Williams has two children ages 3 and 2. He is currently teaching them how to fish and enjoys going camping and playing with them. During his free time, he ties his own flies for fly fishing, enjoys to run, and is an avid reader.

Learn from Leaders

MS in Animal Science

Juan Gavette
Global Expert in Animal Health and Livestock Science

Learn More About Juan Gavette

Juan Gavette
Global Expert in Animal Health and Livestock Science

Juan Gavette earned his Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Science from the University of Wyoming, with a double major in Agriculture Communication, and his Master of Science in Animal Science, with a research focus in Animal Health, from North Dakota State University.

Juan grew up on a small Christmas tree farm in Northwest Washington, where his family raised Angus and Limousin cattle and stayed active in the Junior Limousin Association. Showing cattle, sheep, and goats throughout his childhood gave him a lasting love for the livestock industry, one he now brings into his teaching at Unity. His main interests today lie in mammalian immunology and the control and prevention of infectious diseases, along with animal nutrition, meat and muscle science, and reproductive physiology. Well-rounded across agriculture and animal science, Juan enjoys teaching students why this work matters to sustainable agriculture, food systems, and human life.

Why Unity Distance Education?

Learning Flexibility

Balance life, work, and education by studying when and where you want.

Transfer-Friendly

Accepting up to 90 transfer credits to graduate sooner and save money.

Multiple Start Dates

Up to 8 terms each year let you take breaks without affecting financial aid.

Real Career Outcomes

Ranked in the top 1% of universities nationwide by the Social Mobility Index.

High Educational Value

Nationally recognized educational quality at an affordable price.

Personalized Guidance

Dedicated to turning career and academic aspirations into tangible achievements.

Inspiring Faculty

Connect with experts who share your passion for working in the animal industry.

Sustainability Core

Focused on sustainable practices for an environmentally aware future.

Agricultural Animal Science
Bachelor of Science