Animal Sciences involves studying and applying the basic principles of nutrition, reproduction, and genetics to the production and management of animals: horses, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, and other domesticated species.
Based upon interests and career goals, Animal Sciences students choose one of three focus areas:
To keep pace with the food, fiber, and recreation requirements of a growing world population, Animal Sciences graduates are needed in the livestock industry and closely related fields. The Animal Sciences major offers considerable flexibility in fulfilling specific career objectives, whether you are interested in working directly with livestock or indirectly in closely related areas such as agribusiness, research, government, or education. Possible career fields include:
*Note that students completing the pre-professional option have fulfilled the necessary requirements for most veterinary colleges.
Our college is home to the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, one of the busiest diagnostic laboratories in North America with over 50,000 case submissions each year. There, our faculty and students research a variety of issues in animal-related infectious diseases, toxicology, musculoskeletal injuries, therapeutics, and more.
Thanks to special agreements through the Academic Common Market, residents from the following states may enroll in the University of Kentucky Animal Sciences program at in-state tuition rates:
*Only applicable to the Animal Industry - Equine emphasis area
To learn more about this program, campus life, and chat with an advisor, schedule a campus visit. Virtual visits may be necessary in some cases.
source: myUK: GPS
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
In addition to automatic and competitive scholarships from the University of Kentucky, our students are also eligible for a variety of awards from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE). With one of the largest college-based scholarship programs, we have awarded more than $3 million over the past four years. These awards are based on a variety of criteria such as hometown, major, career goals, high school extracurriculars, and more.
For CAFE first-semester freshmen, the application opens on September 30, and the deadline will be Monday, January 22, 2022.
For CAFE transfer students and current students, the scholarship application opens January 3, and the deadline will be Monday, March 22, 2022.
Live where you learn:
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Living Learning Program (CAFE LLP) is open to all first-semester freshmen at the University of Kentucky.
All students participating in our living learning program will live in Woodland Glen IV, one of the University's newest residence halls.
Through field trips, professional development workshops and service programs, students in our LLP apply their knowledge and passion to global issues at the intersection of food, economics and environment. All students in this program will also enroll in connected courses, share study groups and have an assigned peer mentor - all to help with the transition to college life.
While all students will enjoy the same benefits, some events and projects will be geared toward students' preferences and career goals. Depending on interests, each student will join one of the following tracks:
To apply, select the "CAFE LLP" while completing the University of Kentucky housing application. For more information, visit the University of Kentucky Housing website.
Should you choose, you can gain international experience while earning credit towards your Animal Sciences degree. We offer a variety of study, research, intern, and service abroad programs for all budgets and comfort levels. Some students have even earned grants and scholarships to fully fund their international experiences.
These programs are designed to broaden your mind and introduce you to unfamiliar ways of thinking and living. Ultimately, these experiences will make you a more competitive applicant in the global workforce.
Each year, many of our graduates attend professional schools in areas such as veterinary medicine, law, pharmacy, dentistry, and more. If you are interested in pursuing a similar path, we offer pre-professional advising services.
Our pre-professional advisors will assist you with:
Students can join organizations and clubs to learn outside the classroom, gain valuable work experience and develop their leadership skills. Many of our Animal Sciences students are involved in:
Block and Bridle
whether new or experienced, learn about the livestock industry while showing university livestock
Dairy Club
experience the dairy industry alongside cows and professionals, network while travelling to national dairy events
Pre-Vet Club
utilized as a connection point for students to plan and prepare for veterinary school as a collective group
Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$68,830
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
34,800
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
2,000
new jobs (average)
College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
N6 Agricultural Science Center
859-257-3469