An animal science degree could lead to careers working with animals, testing for disease and providing treatments to make them healthy. Learn about degree programs, the curriculum and potential careers.
What Options Are Available in Animal Science at the Associate's Degree Level?
Animal science degrees at the associate's degree level can vary considerably in titling. Many programs are in general animal science, while others focus on equine science or horse management. Many of these programs are offered through a school's department of agriculture. Other programs may have an emphasis in pre-veterinary studies.
In a pre-veterinary studies program, you'll take classes that make up the first two years of a bachelor's degree-level veterinarian studies program, so you can talk to advisors about transferring to a four-year program. Animal science programs are available primarily on campus, though some programs may offer a few courses online.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Fields</b></td><td>General animal science, pre-veterinary studies, horse management, equine science</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Course Topics </b></td><td>Animal exams, animal anatomy, symptoms of illness, animal disease treatment, animals' cell structures</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Possibilities</b></td><td>Veterinary assistant, farm hand, kennel worker</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$41,970 <i>(Agricultural and Food Science Technicians)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 4% growth <i>(Agricultural and Food Science Technicians)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3><p>Through animal science programs, you'll learn to take care of a wide variety of animals by providing for their nutritional needs and studying the effects of overeating and undernourishment. In veterinary technology programs, you'll prepare to assist veterinarians in surgery and animal care by studying the physiology and anatomy of such animals as pigs, dogs, cats, cows and horses. You'll learn to correctly handle large and small animals. In vet technology and pre-vet studies, you'll study common animal diseases, their treatments and techniques for working with them. Other topics you could study include:
</p><ul><li>Training and breeding horses
</li><li>Managing the financial aspects of farms and veterinary clinics
</li><li>Common reproductive issues in animals
</li><li>Rationing animals' food responsibly
</li><li>Animals' cell structures
</li><li>Conducting animal exams
</li><li>Symptoms of illness
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatAreMyCareerOptions">What Are My Career Options?</h3><p>With an associate's degree in animal science or veterinary technology, you could become a veterinary assistant. This involves taking care of animals and preparing them for the veterinarian's exam, providing assistance in some cases. You could also work on a farm, where you'd feed train and care for animals. Other positions include working in a kennel, providing food and water to animals, as well as bathing them and exercising them.</p>
