Bachelor's degree in animal science

You’ll learn in modern facilities and labs, work closely with expert faculty who mentor you one-on-one, and be part of a welcoming, supportive learning environment. Through hands-on classes, real-world experiences, and opportunities to get involved in research, you’ll build the skills and confidence needed for what comes next.

Whether you plan to continue to graduate or professional school or step directly into a career, this program prepares you for opportunities in animal-focused fields such as ranching and livestock production, animal nutrition, meat and food industries, and laboratory and research settings.

Through the animal science major, you’ll gain hands-on, science-based training in animal health, nutrition, genetics, reproduction, and management. You’ll learn directly from faculty with industry and research expertise while working with animals in real-world settings that prepare you for professional practice.

As you study, you’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll build the knowledge and practical skills needed for a wide range of animal-focused careers, including:

• Livestock manager or ranch/production specialist
• Meat and food animal industries
• Animal nutrition and feed management
• Genetics and reproductive technologies
• Government and regulatory agencies (such as USDA and FDA)

This program prepares you to step confidently into careers that support animal well-being, food production, and the future of the animal industries.

You’ll build hands-on, science-based skills while learning how animals are cared for, managed, and used responsibly, including:

• How animal bodies work and stay healthy
• Feeding, nutrition, and growth
• Genetics, breeding, and reproduction
• Animal health and disease prevention
• Meat science and sustainable production
• Pasture, rangeland, and land management
• Environmental stewardship
• Biotechnology and lab skills
• Business and management in animal systems

As an animal science student, you won’t just learn from textbooks — you’ll take part in hands-on research and real-world problem solving in classrooms, labs, and the field. You’ll work with modern tools and emerging technologies while tackling the same challenges faced by today’s animal industries.

Because much of Nevada’s livestock is raised on public lands in dry, semi-arid environments, students help explore innovative ways to keep animals healthy, protect rangelands, and use limited water and natural resources wisely. You’ll study how animals adapt to their environment and how smart management can improve sustainability.

Your work will contribute to solutions that support healthy animals, resilient landscapes, and a secure food supply — giving you practical experience while making a real impact on the future of agriculture.