Advancing Animal Health and Well-being
Animals play an essential role in our lives, communities and food systems. The animal science major prepares you to advance animal health, well-being and agriculture through hands-on learning in animal biology, nutrition, reproduction, behavior and management.
What You’ll Study
You’ll explore animal biology, nutrition, reproduction, behavior and management while applying your knowledge of the life sciences to livestock, companion animals, wildlife and other species through hands-on learning.
What You’ll Take Away
You’ll graduate with the scientific knowledge, hands-on experience and problem-solving skills to improve animal health and well-being while preparing to lead across veterinary medicine, research, animal agriculture and related industries.
Science You Can See
Put animal science into practice through hands-on learning across Cal Poly’s animal facilities. You’ll work with a variety of species while connecting concepts in health, behavior, nutrition and management to real-world experience.
Animal Health and Well-being
Build a strong foundation in animal health, behavior and well-being while exploring the science of animal care and the ethical, environmental and public health issues shaping the field.
Animal Agriculture and Food Systems
Follow animal agriculture from production to processing while gaining hands-on experience in nutrition, management, food safety and the systems that bring safe, high-quality animal products to market.
Beyond One Species
Shape your studies around the animals and questions that interest you most. Explore opportunities in animal science with livestock, horses, companion animals, exotic animals and wildlife while discovering new directions for your future.
Coursework Highlights
Animal science courses connect science with practice from animal health and nutrition to food production, welfare and research.
Classes and Labs
Build hands-on veterinary skills through animal handling, physical exams, wound care and medical record keeping. You’ll gain experience assisting with clinical procedures, imaging, anesthesia, surgery and other aspects of animal care.
Explore how nutrition supports equine health and performance while studying digestive physiology, nutrient needs and feed characteristics. You’ll gain practical experience evaluating and formulating diets and managing common nutritional challenges.
Explore a whole-system approach to managing land and natural resources while balancing environmental, economic and social goals. You’ll learn to make informed decisions that support biodiversity, sustainability and long-term resource health.
Study animal reproduction at the cellular and molecular levels while exploring in vitro fertilization, cryopreservation and other technologies used in assisted reproduction.
Explore how and why animals behave while learning to observe, measure and interpret behavior. You’ll apply principles of learning and training to support animal well-being and address behavioral challenges.
Gain hands-on experience managing beef cattle while building practical skills in animal handling, nutrition, health, behavior and reproductive evaluation. You’ll apply animal science principles to real-world bull management.
Work directly with broodmares and foals while gaining experience in foaling and neonatal care. You’ll collaborate with classmates to monitor mares and provide around-the-clock care during foaling season.
Put your horsemanship skills into practice by further developing and training performance horses. You’ll help prepare horses for the annual Cal Poly Performance Horse Sale through hands-on experience.
Experience Animal Science
Build your community and your career through enterprises, clubs, research and experiences that connect you to animals, industry professionals and the questions shaping the future of animal science.
Find Your People
Find a community that shares your passion for animals through many different club opportunities.
Connect with fellow students in the Young Cattleman's Club, compete on the polo, dressage or mule packing teams, or build industry knowledge and community with the Zoo and Exotic Animal Careers Club.
Industry Experience and Connections
Explore Cal Poly's animal enterprises. Gain hands-on experience from foaling and calf care to livestock shows, veterinary clinic operations and meat processing.
Living Laboratories
Learn where animal science comes to life. From the equine center and dairy to the veterinary clinic and meat processing center, you’ll gain hands-on experience.
Explore Animal Science
Discover the animal science major and explore the hands-on facilities and experiences that can help you build a future working with animals.