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Prospective Students

Welcome Prospective Students!

Welcome to ANSC at UMD, we are delighted you are interested in our program! Look around and explore what we have to offer; if you have more questions about our program and/or would like to schedule a tour of our campus farm, reach out to us at ansc-undergrad-prog@umd.edu.

Ready to plan your future at UMD Animal Sciences?

      Apply      
      Today!      

Current Announcements

Schedule an appointment to learn more about UMD Animal & Avian Sciences today! 

If you are a current UMD student and interested in switching into or double majoring/degree with ANSC, please begin the process by initiating a Major Change in TerpEngage.  Once you indicate that you would like to switch to ANSC the system will provide you further details on the steps you need to take to make the change.

Ongoing - AGNR Info Sessions: Meet with our College's recruitment officers to explore our programs, meet with students, and take tours of our facilities.  Make sure to register here

Ongoing - ANSC Major Change Meetings: Are you a current UMD student interested in switching into the Animal Science Major? Email us at ansc-undergrad-prog@umd.edu to request a major change advising meeting!

If you have further questions please contact us at ansc-undergrad-prog@umd.edu or at 301-405-1373.

The ANSC Major:

... is a great program for a pre-veterinary student.

... provides a strong foundation for graduate school.

... can prepare you for many jobs working with animals or on animal issues.

Which Track Will You Choose?

Within the Animal Science undergraduate program, there are two focuses of study or tracks:

  1. Animal Care and Management
  2. Science/Pre-Professional

Learn more about the different tracks!

Animal Care and Management (0104A)

Animal Care and Management (0104A)

  • Careers in equine, poultry, livestock, laboratory animal
  • Production, nutrition, health, policies
  • Biology, Chemistry
  • Animal management and advanced animal electives

Science/Pre-Professional (0104E)

Science/Pre-Professional (0104E)

  • Veterinary, dental, medical, graduate schools
  • Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry
  • Some animal management and advanced animal electives

Which Species is Right for You?

The ANSC department has many species-specific courses and clubs to help you get involved with your species of focus or interest!

Horses

Classes
  • Horse Care Practicum
  • Horse Management
  • Equine Reproductive Management
  • Grazing Animal Management
  • Equine Science
  • Internship Experience in Animal and Avian Science

  • Plus, students learn about horses in other classes like: Principles of Animal Science, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, Grazing Animal Management, Comparative Animal Nutrition, Applied Animal Nutrition, Animal Welfare, and Animal Behavior.

Clubs
Additional Opportunities
  • Internships in the equine industry
  • Working on the campus “farm crew”
  • Student research projects related to equine studies
  • Being an undergraduate teaching assistant for an equine studies course
  • Being a summer horse care intern

Sheep and Goats

Classes
  • Sheep Management
  • Goat Management

  • Internship Experience in Animal and Avian Science

  • Plus, students learn about Sheep and goats in other classes like: Principles of Animal Science, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, Grazing Animal Management, Comparative Animal Nutrition, Applied Animal Nutrition, Animal Welfare, and Animal Behavior

Clubs
Additional Opportunities
  • Showing a lamb on “Ag day” (Maryland Day)
  • MD Sheep and Wool Festival
  • Student research projects related to small ruminants
  • Working on the campus “farm crew”
  • Being an undergraduate teaching assistant for the sheep management course
  • Being a Sheep Intern at the campus farm

Poultry

Classes
  • Poultry Management

  • Avian Physiology

  • Internship Experience in Animal and Avian Science

Clubs
Additional Opportunities
  • Internships in the poultry industry

  • Student research projects related to poultry studies

  • Being an undergraduate teaching assistant for the commercial poultry management course

  • Attend the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) and the International Poultry Scientific Forum in Atlanta, Georgia

  • Poultry Industry Tour- join our department on a multiple day field trip to the Eastern Shore to explore Maryland's poultry industry

Companion Animals

Classes
  • Companion Animal Care and Management
  • Laboratory Animal Management

  • Applied Animal Behavior

  • Internship Experience in Animal and Avian Science

  • Plus, students learn about companion animals in other classes like: Principles of Animal Science, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, Comparative Animal Nutrition, Applied Animal Nutrition, Animal Welfare, and Animal Behavior

Clubs
Additional Opportunities 
  • Internships in the companion animal industry, animal shelters, veterinary hospitals
  • Student independent study projects related to companion animal studies
  • Being an undergraduate teaching assistant for the companion animal management course

Beef and Dairy Cattle

Classes
  • Dairy Cattle Management

  • Grazing Animal Management

  • Beef Management

  • Internship Experience in Animal and Avian Science

  • Plus, students learn about dairy and beef cattle in other classes like: Principles of Animal Science, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, Grazing Animal Management, Comparative Animal Nutrition, Applied Animal Nutrition, Animal Welfare, and Animal Behavior

Clubs
Additional Opportunities
  • Internships on and off campus
  • Working on the campus “farm crew”
  • Student research projects related to livestock species
  • Being an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Introduction to Animal Science Lab
  • Beef Industry Tour- join our department on a multiple day field trip around the state to explore Maryland's beef industry

Laboratory Animals

Classes
  • Aquaculture
  • Laboratory Animal Management

  • Applied Animal Behavior

  • Animal Welfare and Bioethics

  • Internship Experience in Animal and Avian Science

Clubs
Additional Opportunities
  • Working in our departmental animal facility, a research lab on campus, or UMD’s central animal facility as an animal caretaker

  • Internships in the lab animal industry and the federal agencies that interact with it

  • Student independent study projects related to laboratory management

  • Working as an animal caretaker for DLAR

Aquaculture

Classes
  • Aquaculture

  • Laboratory Animal Management

  • Applied Animal Behavior

  • Animal Welfare and Bioethics

Clubs
Additional Opportunities
  • Working in our departmental CRANE Aquaculture facility, or other research lab on campus rearing fish

  • Internships at local aquariums or research institutes with aquatic animal research divisions

  • Student independent study projects related to aquaculture and aquatic animal production

Beyond the Classroom

Get involved in discovery! Gain real-world experience! See animal science in action! Work with our animals on the Campus Farm!

The Department of Animal and Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland offers many outside-the-classroom learning and experiential opportunities while gaining a deeper understanding of course materials:

Beyond the Classroom

Information for Prospective Students:

Freshmen and Freshmen Connection Students

Admitted Freshmen

Freshmen Connection

AP/IB Score Transfer Credit - see which UMD courses you have credit for based on your test scores

Math Placement Exam

Ag Forward/IAA

Agriculture Forward at Maryland (Ag Forward) is an accelerated program for first-year college students who plan to pursue a career in agriculture and natural resources. Ag Forward students are advised on a curriculum plan that allows them to become degree-seeking after only one year at the IAA. They take many courses that meet both requirements for the Certificate in Applied Agriculture and their desired four-year major. Within four years, completers can earn both a certificate from the IAA and a bachelor's degree from one of the programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).

Major Changes within UMD

If you are a current UMD student and interested in switching into or double majoring/degree with ANSC, please begin the process by initiating a Major Change in TerpEngage.  Once you indicate that you would like to switch to ANSC you will have to complete the following steps in order for the change to be processed.  

  1. Meet with AGNR academic programs office (students on probation ONLY, email agnrstudentservices@umd.edu)
  2. Complete the AGNR online change of major course
  3. Attend ANSC change of major meeting (email us at ansc-undergrad-prog@umd.edu to schedule)
  4. Submit a 4-year plan & Contract in ELMS
  5. Complete double major/double degree form (if adding additional major or degree)

If you have any further questions about this process, please email ansc-undergrad-prog@umd.edu.

 

 

Transfer Students

Planning to transfer to ANSC? Follow these steps!

  1. Contact the Office of Pre-Transfer Advising for directions
  2. Review the curriculum worksheets for the major
  3. Compare your completed courses to the Transfer Credit Evaluation Center to see what you will have credit for
  4. If you have an associates degree - you do not need to complete individual General Education requirements (exception: Professional Writing [FSPW]). 
  5. Have you AP and IB courses sent to UMD directly from College Board or the International Baccalaureate Program - they won’t be included in your college transcript

*Note: It often takes transfer students 2.5 - 3 years to graduate from our program, as most of our courses are only offered once per year.

Recommended courses to complete at your 2 year institution

  • College Algebra and Trigonometry or Precalculus (MATH113 or MATH115)
  • Cellular Biology (BSCI170/171) AND Evolutionary Biology (BSCI160/161). If you choose complete only one of these courses at your 2-year institution (BSCI170/171 OR BSCI160/161), you must take the Principles Biology Laboratory course (BSCI180) upon transfer to UMD.
  • General Chemistry (CHEM131/132)

*Note: UMD does not accept transfer credit for CHEM272

Have a course that hasn’t been evaluated for equivalency yet?

Courses may be submitted for evaluation using the guidelines provided by the Transfer Credit Center