ANIMAL SCIENCE

Do you have a passion for animals and wish to contribute to the development of the livestock industry? The Animal Science major at top universities in China will be an ideal choice for you.

So, what's special about this major? Who is suitable to pursue this field of study? Let's explore the article below with studyinchina.io!

Major Introduction

Animal Science is one of the most challenging and promising disciplines within the life sciences field. This major primarily studies the fundamental laws concerning animal evolution, genetics, reproduction, development, digestion, and metabolism, as well as the production of animal products.

The major explores the nature of life phenomena and strategies for their regulation. Its fundamental mission is to provide humans with high-quality animal protein and products by understanding and mastering the laws governing animal genetic variation, development, reproduction, nutrition, digestion, and metabolism.

This major aims to cultivate high-level scientific and technological talents in animal science research and modern animal production. Upon graduation, students can work in agricultural and livestock management agencies, engaging in professional management, technical engineering design, product development and marketing, technical promotion, teaching, and research in the fields of animal science, animal nutrition, and feed processing.

Training Objectives

1. Knowledge Objective: Possess broad foundational knowledge in humanities and natural sciences, master the basic theories of animal genetics and reproduction, animal nutrition and feed science, safe breeding and safe production, understand advanced knowledge, technology, and development trends in animal science, and master basic methods for literature retrieval and information searching.
2. Capability Objective: Adapt to the needs of teaching, scientific research, enterprises, and administrative management agencies in the field of animal science and related areas, possess the ability to engage in teaching, scientific research, production management, entrepreneurship, technical promotion, and administrative management, and have strong capabilities for continuous learning, self-acquisition of knowledge, information processing, and creativity.
3. Quality Objective: Establish a correct worldview, outlook on life, and values, enhance ideological and moral qualities and professional ethics, and develop into comprehensively high-quality innovative talents with a pioneering spirit and strong practical skills.

Graduation Requirements

Students in this major need to master the basic theories and fundamental knowledge of animal science, systematically undergo scientific thinking exercises, experimental practice, and entrepreneurial innovation training in basic and applied research. Graduates need to meet the following requirements:

1. Moral Quality: Possess correct political orientation, good ideological and moral qualities, a strong sense of teamwork, and a sound personality; have national consciousness, legal awareness, and social responsibility; consciously practice the core socialist values.
2. Humanities Knowledge: Understand knowledge in politics, economics, philosophy, and other social sciences and humanities; inherit and promote the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation; possess general knowledge in political science, literature, history, philosophy, ethics, art, aesthetics, law, psychology, etc.
3. "Three Rural" Affection: Understand the excellent ideas contained within agricultural civilization and rural culture; possess an affection for understanding agriculture, loving the countryside, and caring for farmers.
4. Scientific Knowledge: Possess knowledge in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and management; master the basic theories, knowledge, skills, and practical abilities of the animal science major; understand the knowledge system, fundamental concepts, and methods of this discipline.
5. Knowledge Application: Understand the development status and trends of the livestock industry; have the ability to apply professional theoretical knowledge, skills, and information technology to analyze and solve common problems in the field of animal science; and possess the capability to engage in scientific research, product development, production management, technical promotion, industry operation, and management within the animal science field.
6. Communication and Exchange: Have the ability to communicate and exchange fully and effectively with industry peers and the public on issues related to animal science, including writing reports, designing drafts, making statements, and expressing clearly; possess basic abilities for self-acquisition of knowledge and information processing; have good verbal and written expression skills; and be proficient in reading and communicating in a foreign language.
7. Analysis and Problem-Solving: Master scientific methods for analyzing and solving problems; possess critical thinking skills; be able to discover, analyze, question, and evaluate phenomena and problems in this major and related fields from multiple perspectives; and propose innovative viewpoints or countermeasures through literature research and analysis of technical problems in the animal science field.
8. Teamwork: Possess a team spirit; be able to assume the roles of individual, team member, and leader in multidisciplinary teams; harmonize and cooperate with team members; and play an active role in team activities.
9. Lifelong Learning: Have a sense of autonomous learning and lifelong learning; be able to continuously learn, face social challenges, adapt to the changing development of society, and achieve sustainable personal development.
10. Global Perspective: Pay attention to advanced theories, application prospects, and development trends in the industry; reasonably analyze and evaluate the impact of industry-related solutions on society, health, safety, law, and culture; and be concerned with major issues such as human health, biosafety, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

Main Courses

Practice of High-Tech Enterprise Development in the Livestock Industry

• Animal Genetics
• Animal Reproduction
• Animal Nutrition
• Feed Science
• Livestock Environmental Hygiene
• Feed and Feed Processing
• Animal Production I (Swine and Poultry Husbandry)
• Animal Production II (Cattle and Sheep Husbandry)

Based on labor market demands and personal interests, elective courses in scientific knowledge, urban agriculture, and interdisciplinary courses are also offered.

Major Research Directions

The Animal Science major primarily researches the genetic basis, breeding, physiological biochemistry, nutritional metabolism, feed formulation, product safety, and processing of farm animals (swine, cattle, sheep, poultry, etc.) and companion animals (dogs, cats, etc.) to achieve "good breeds," "high-quality feed," and "safe products."

Farm animal husbandry is a long industrial chain. "Good breeds" rely on breeding, combining conventional selection with molecular biotechnology (such as gene editing) to cultivate better breeds, for example, how to make pigs grow faster, cows produce more milk. "High-quality feed" is about providing nutritious, palatable, balanced, and safe feed for animals to meet their needs for rapid growth and efficient production. "Safe products" involve producing high-quality, safe, and healthy meat, eggs, milk, and other livestock products or healthy and lovely companion animals.

This chain can be extended in many directions. For example, from the upstream end of the industrial chain, breeding disease-resistant transgenic breeds can make cultivated animal breeds capable of resisting, reducing, or avoiding diseases; from the downstream end of the industrial chain, producing functional health-protective livestock products such as selenium-rich meat, omega-3 eggs, CLA milk, are all research topics and interests of scientists worldwide.

Degree Awarded

Students who complete the required credits and meet graduation requirements will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can continue their studies for master's and doctoral degrees in fields such as animal reproduction, feed nutrition, safe production and health, and related disciplines domestically and internationally (with cooperative training agreements with the US, UK, Italy, Japan, etc.).

Students can also work in universities, research institutes, administrative units, and enterprises related to the livestock industry, engaging in livestock management, animal production (including companion animals), feed management and supervision, marketing and market development, livestock product trade, livestock product quality inspection, disease prevention and control, etc.

Employing units include: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China Agricultural Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Branch of China Construction Bank, China Animal Husbandry Association, National Animal Husbandry Station, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dabeinong Group, Beijing Museum of Natural History, Beijing Pig Breeding Center, Beijing Shunxin Agriculture Group, Beijing Capital Food Group, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing Huadu Yukou Poultry Co., Ltd., Beijing Animal Husbandry Station, Beijing Lingyu Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing Aquarium, Beijing Zoo, etc.

Related Majors

• Veterinary Medicine
• Aquaculture
• Agronomy
• Biotechnology

Universities Offering the Animal Science Major

1. China Agricultural University
2. Nanjing Agricultural University
3. Huazhong Agricultural University
4. Sichuan Agricultural University
5. Zhejiang University

Assessment of the Animal Science Major

The Animal Science major at Chinese universities is a field full of potential and challenge. China has many top universities with excellent faculty and modern facilities, providing the best learning and research environment for students.

The academic programs here not only focus on theory but also emphasize practice, helping students master the necessary knowledge and skills to work in the livestock industry and related fields. Furthermore, universities have numerous international cooperation programs, enabling students to access advanced technologies and research methods from developed countries.

Who is Suitable for This Major?

The Animal Science major is suitable for those who have a passion for animals and wish to contribute to the development of the livestock industry. Those who enjoy scientific research, possess logical and analytical thinking abilities, as well as good practical skills, will be very suitable for this major. Additionally, those with a high sense of responsibility, patience, and teamwork skills will also find many development opportunities in this field.

The above is information about the Animal Science major for those interested. Visit the Major Search section now to quickly learn about majors in China!