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.

More information about credit and pathways.

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.

Course structure

All streams are of the same duration.

For the PASS stream:

• 20 x 8 point core subjects (160 points) and 12 x 8 point restricted elective subjects (96 points)

For the HONOURS stream:

• 21 x 8 point core subjects (168 points), 5 x 8 point restricted electives (40 points), and 48 point Honours research project/dissertation (HRS416 + HRS432 .

Core Subjects common to Pass and Honours streams (20 subjects; 160 points)

• ASC110 Introduction to Animal Science
• ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• ASC221 Animal Genetics
• ASC222 Animal Biotechnology
• ASC223 Animal Growth and Development
• ASC225 Assessment of Animal Welfare
• ASC261 Animal Reproduction
• ASC273 Animal Nutrition
• ASC305 Parasitology
• ASC306 Applied Animal Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• ASC307 Critical Reviews in Animal Science
• ASC350 Animal Health
• BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
• BIO100 Concepts of Biology
• BIO216 Conservation Biology
• CHM104 Chemistry 1A
• MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
• STA201 Scientific Statistics
• STA308 Experimental Design and Analysis
• VSC112 Animal Behaviour and Welfare
  

Additional core subject for Honours stream

STA404 Statistical Reasoning
HRS432 Science Honours Project/Dissertation
HRS416 Science Honours Project/Dissertation

Restricted elective subjects (Pass stream - 12 subjects; 96 points. Honours stream - 5 subjects; 40 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 provided externally through the University of New England).

Animal Production and Management

• AGB110 Agricultural Economics
• AGB233 Agribusiness Management 1
• AGB310 Agricultural Marketing
• AGR220 Extension
• AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management
• ASC111 Comparative Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• ASC370 Ruminant Production and Welfare
• ASC416 Research Project/ Special Topic 1 (16 points)
• ASC474 Intensive Animal Production and Welfare
• ASC475 Meat and Fibre Science
• ASC525 Domestic Animal Behaviour
• PSC104 Soil Science
• PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands
• VSC114 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology
• VSC332 Advanced Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry

Equine Science and Management

• AGB233 Agribusiness Management 1
• AGB310 Agricultural Marketing
• AGR220 Extension
• ASC111 Comparative Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• ASC201 Equine Reproduction
• ASC202 Equine Locomotion
• ASC206 Equine Industry Practicum
• ASC209 Breeding Technologies
• ASC321 Equine Exercise Physiology
• ASC412 Equine Nutrition
• ASC413 Equine Health
• ASC416 Research Project/ Special Topic 1 (16 points)
• ASC525 Domestic Animal Behaviour
• VSC114 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology

Wildlife Conservation and Management

• AGB233 Agribusiness Management 1
• AGR220 Extension
• ASC111 Comparative Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• ASC416 Research Project/ Special Topic 1 (16 points)
• BIO112 Principles of Ecology
• BIO203 Animal Systematics
• BIO263 Methods for Environmental Data Analysis
• BIO312 Landscape Ecology
• BIO323 River and Floodplain Ecology
• BIO327 Wildlife Ecology and Management (16 points)
• BIO328 Restoration Ecology
• BIO433 Ornithological Methods
• BIO437 Captive Breeding and Reintroduction of Birds
• BIO446 Captive Reptilian Management
• BIO489 Zoo Curatorship (16 points)
• ENM422 Environmental Impact Assessment and Auditing
• PKM301 Principles of Indigenous Land Management
• REC200 Principles of Ecotourism
• REC305 Advanced Principles of Ecotourism
• SPA115 Principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• VSC114 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology

Biomedical Sciences

• ASC416 Research Project (16 points)
• BMS207 Clinical Biochemistry
• BMS216 Introductory Haematology
• BMS229 Histotechniques
• BMS235 Protein Biochemistry
• BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
• BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
• BMS306 Advanced Haematology
• BMS315 Medical Microbiology
• BMS324 Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion
• FSC200 Introduction to Forensic Science
• VSC114 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology

Enrolment pattern

By full-time study

Pass and Honours Streams

Session 1 (30)

ASC110 Introduction to Animal Science
BIO100 Concepts of Biology
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
VSC112 Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Session 2 (60)

ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
ASC221 Animal Genetics
MCR101 Microbiology
STA201 Scientific Statistics

Session 3 (30)

ASC222 Animal Biotechnology
ASC261 Animal Reproduction
BCM210 Foundations and Techniques of Biochemistry
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 4 (60)

ASC223 Animal Growth and Development
ASC225 Assessment of Animal Welfare
ASC273 Animal Nutrition
BIO216 Conservation Biology

Session 5 (30)

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

Session 6 (60)

ASC305 Parasitology
ASC306 Applied Animal Pharmacology and Therapeutics
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Pass stream

Session 7 (30)

ASC307 Critical Reviews in Animal Science
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 8 (60)

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

Honours stream

Session 7 (30)

ASC307 Critical Reviews in Animal Science

HRS416 Honours Research Project/Dissertation (16 points)
STA404 Statistical Reasoning

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

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

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.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1