Bachelor of Science - Animal Science Major

Animals are central to our wellbeing in New Zealand, whether we are developing animal-derived food and products for export, managing the environmental impact of introduced animal species, or considering the role animals play in our lives as companions and pets.

Understanding animals' behaviour, the drivers of their health and well-being, their value to us, and our responsibilities to them plays a key role in our day-to-day activities and the economy.

The Bachelor of Science (majoring in Animal Science) aligns with the needs of industry, preparing you to lead knowledge-driven solutions to some of the industry’s most significant challenges, now and into the future.

The programme provides an in-depth knowledge of animal science and production, with a focus on animal welfare, health and biosecurity, in an overarching framework of sustainability principles in land, systems and community.

How you’ll grow

• Understand the biological, physiological, and biochemical processes that underpin animal form and function.
• Describe key scientific principles of breeding and genetics, nutrition, growth, reproduction, lactation and welfare for animals.
• Outline current scientific and public debates in animal ownership, management and livestock production, including sustainability, the ethical use of animals and their welfare.
• Describe major diseases that impact animal health and welfare.
• Understand management methods for biosecurity and the control of pest species, as well as their impact on the environment, biodiversity and livestock production.
• Identify key functional areas of livestock management and their links with the overall global supply chain.
• Outline how animal performance can be manipulated to improve animal production with consideration to ethical treatment, welfare and sustainability.
• Acquire, analyse and interpret information across a range of animal systems.
• Develop an awareness of Māori perspectives and their implications for animal science.

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Science (majoring in Animal Science) will prepare you for a wide range of technical, advocacy and management roles across the animal science, management and livestock production industries. Potential positions include animal breeding specialist, conservation officer, biosecurity officer, animal production specialist, animal welfare officer and animal science researcher.

Graduate Attributes

Graduate attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.

Knowledge

• Describe the biological, physiological, and biochemical processes that underpin animal form and function.
• Describe the scientific principles of breeding, nutrition, growth, reproduction, lactation and welfare in animal production systems.
• Outline current scientific and public debates in animal production, including sustainability, the ethical use of animals and their welfare.
• Describe the major animal diseases that impact animal health and welfare in livestock production in New Zealand.
• Describe the management methods for biosecurity and the control of pest species, as well as their impact on livestock production and biodiversity.
• Identify key functional areas of management and their interlinkage with the overall global supply chain.
• Outline how animal performance can be manipulated to improve animal production with consideration to ethical treatment, welfare, and sustainability.

Skills

• Acquire, analyse and interpret information across a range of animal systems.
• Utilise and expand existing knowledge and skills to solve a range of theoretical and practical problems.
• Apply the scientific method and correctly interpret the results of scientific studies.
• Apply scientific methods in a real-world context through exposure to industry and sectors that utilise this science.
• Employ scientific methods to solve problems both independently and as part of a team.
• Competently apply statistics and biometrics, in the design of experiments and data analysis.
• Collect, collate, synthesise, and interpret data across a wide range of disciplines.
• Communicate information effectively in written and oral form to lay and expert audiences.
• Relate effectively to people from a wide range of backgrounds and communities.
• Use self-directed learning.

Values

• Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning sustainable development in animal production.
• Evaluate the ethical implications of scientific research.
• Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning animal welfare, ethical use, and biosecurity in animal production science and their limitations.
• Develop an awareness of Māori perspectives and their implications for animal science.
• Develop an awareness of the importance of cultural indigenous knowledge.