Bachelor of Animal Science

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Animal Science course provides training in the major disciplines which underpin the animal sciences, preparing graduates for careers in a broad range of professions working with animals, or within animal-related industries.

CSU's Bachelor of Animal Science is a four-year undergraduate degree with an integrated Honours stream. 

What will I learn?

Study commences with a broad foundation in biological sciences, and in the third and final years, offers alternative streams of study in wildlife, captive vertebrates, horses, companion animals, livestock, or research.

The course provides instruction in the basic sciences, research skills and the health, welfare, behaviour, nutrition, genetics and breeding of animals, including farm animals, pets, performance animals, wildlife and zoo animals. Other characteristics of the course include a component in practical skills such as animal handling and the development of lifelong learning skills, critical thinking and effective communication with scientists and lay people.

The same staff who teach and conduct research in the veterinary science and equine science degrees deliver the key subjects in the Animal Science degree.

Credit

Students who have studied and successfully completed subjects at other universities, which are likely to be equivalent to subjects in CSU's Bachelor of Animal Science, may apply for credit for those subjects when enrolling. Credit will be granted for subjects which are equivalent in content and standard, at the discretion of the relevant Course Coordinator.

Honours stream

Undertaking Honours gives you the opportunity to produce your own research, which will contribute to the research evidence for the animal industry. It may also be published and presented at relevant conferences to your peers.

Completing an Honours degree provides you with a stepping stone for further postgraduate study such as a PhD and animal healthcare and welfare research. It offers you a wider range of employment opportunities as well as giving you an edge when presenting your CV for employment.

Learning facilities

Students who enrol in this course will enjoy learning in some of the best facilities of their kind in the world, with laboratories, museums, practical classrooms, animal handling facilities and digital learning resources that have been recently completed for the Veterinary Science degree at CSU.

Professionals teaching you

 

Course structure

All streams are of the same duration.

For the two PASS streams:

• COURSEWORK PASS: 22 x 8 point core subjects (176 points) and 10 x 8 point restricted elective subjects (80 points)
• RESEARCH PASS: 22 x 8 point core subjects (176 points), and EITHER
  • 4 x 8 point restricted electives, 48 point research project (ASC416 + ASC432 )
  • 6 x 8 point restricted electives, 32 point research project (either ASC416 in both Session 1 and Session 2; or ASC432 in one session)
  • 7 x 8 point restricted electives, 24 point research project (ASC416 + SCI401 or SCI402 )
  • 8 x 8 point restricted electives, 16 point research project (ASC416 or SCI401 + SCI402 )

For the HONOURS stream:

• 22 x 8 point core subjects (176 points), 4 x 8 point restricted electives, and 48 point honours research project/dissertation (HRS416 + HRS432 .

Core Subjects common to Pass and Honours streams (21 subjects; 168 points)

ASC110 Introduction to Animal Science
ASC111 Animal Anatomy
ASC171 Animal Physiology
ASC221 Animal Genetics
ASC222 Animal Biotechnology
ASC223 Animal Growth and Development
ASC225 Animal Behaviour and Welfare 2
ASC261 Animal Reproduction
ASC273 Animal Nutrition
ASC305 Parasitology
ASC306 Animal Therapeutics
ASC350 Animal Health
BCM210 Foundations & Techniques of Biochemistry
BIO100 Concepts of Biology
BIO216 Conservation Biology
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
STA201 Scientific Statistics
STA308 Experimental Design & Analysis
VSC112 Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Additional core subject for Pass stream (1 subject; 8 points)

VSC332 Animal Nutrition 2

Additional core subject for Honours stream (1 subject; 8 points)

STA404 Statistical Reasoning

Restricted elective subjects (Pass stream - 9 subjects; 72 points. Honours stream - 4 subjects; 32 points)

Other restricted electives not listed below may be taken following approval of the course co-ordinator and the subject co-ordinator (specifically applies to subjects within the School of Biomedical Sciences and subjects provided externally through the University of New England).

Animal Production subjects

AGB233 Agribusiness Mgt 1
AGB450 Agribusiness Mgt 2
AGB410 Agribusiness Marketing
AGR220 Extension
AGR402 Readings in Science & Agriculture
AHT401 Agricultural Systems
ASC370 Ruminant Production
ASC474 Intensive Animal Production
ASC475 Meat & Fibre Science
PSC104 Soil Science
PSC360 Pastures & Rangelands
VSC332 Animal Nutrition 2

Equine subjects

ASC201 Equine Reproduction
ASC202 Equine Locomotion
ASC209 Animal Breeding Technologies
ASC309 Horse Rehabilitation
ASC321 Equine Exercise Physiology
ASC412 Equine Nutrition

Wildlife/ Captive Vertebrate subjects

BIO112 Principles of Ecology
BIO203 Animal Systematics
BIO327 Wildlife Ecology & Mgt (16 points)
BIO437 Captive Avian Mgt
BIO443 Captive Animal Management
BIO446 Captive Reptilian Mgt
BIO447 Captive Animal Health
REC200 Principles of Ecotourism
REC305 Advanced Principles of Ecotourism
SPA115 Principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Additional Restricted Elective subjects

AGR501 Special Topics 1
AGR502 Special Topics 2
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
BMS301 Medical Science Special Topic
VSC465 Clinical Rotation 7 (Livestock Industry)

Enrolment pattern

By full-time study

Pass and Honours Streams

Session 1 (30)

BIO100 Concepts of Biology
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
ASC221 Animal Genetics
ASC110 Introduction to Animal Science

Session 2 (60)

ASC111 Animal Anatomy
ASC171 Animal Physiology
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
VSC112 Animal Behaviour and Welfare 1

Session 3 (30)

ASC222 Animal Biotechnology
ASC261 Animal Reproduction
BCM210 Foundations & Techniques of Biochemistry
STA201 Scientific Statistics

Session 4 (60)

ASC223 Animal Growth and Development
ASC225 Animal Behaviour & Welfare 2
ASC273 Animal Nutrition
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology

Session 5 (30)

ASC350 Animal Health
STA308 Experimental Design & Analysis
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 6 (60)

ASC305 Parasitology
ASC306 Animal Therapeutics
BIO216 Conservation Biology
[ ] Restricted Elective

Pass stream only - COURSEWORK

Session 7 (30)

VSC332 Animal Nutrition 2
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 8 (60)

[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Pass stream only - 16 point Research Project

Session 7 (30)

ASC416 Research Project / Special Topic 1 (16)
VSC332 Advanced Animal Nutrition & Biochemistry
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 8 (60)

[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Pass stream only - 24 point Research Project

Session 7 (30)

ASC416 Research Project / Special Topic 1 (16)
VSC332 Advanced Animal Nutrition & Biochemistry
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 8 (60)

SCI401 r SCI402 Research project
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Pass stream only - 32 point Research Project

Session 7 (30)

ASC416 Research Project / Special Topic 1 (16)
VSC332 Advanced Animal Nutrition & Biochemistry
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 8 (60)

ASC416 Research Project / Special Topic 1 (16)
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Pass stream only - 48 point Research Project

Session 7 (30)

ASC416 Research Project / Special Topic 1 (16)
VSC332 Advanced Animal Nutrition & Biochemistry
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 8 (60)

ASC432 Research Project / Special Topic 2 (32)

Honours stream only

Session 7 (30)

STA404 Statistical Reasoning
HRS416 Honours Research Project/Dissertation (16 points)
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 8 (60)

HRS432 Honours Research Project/Dissertation (32 points)

Admission requirements

There are a limited number of places available in the course and entry will be competitive based on the ATAR or equivalent from previous studies.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to the Bachelor of Animal Science.

Transfer to the Honours stream can be made only after the satisfactory completion of three years with a Credit average and above and is subject to the availability of a suitable research project and supervisor.

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

csp
international-oncampus

 

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1