Online Programs
Fundamentals of Animal Science
Prepare for veterinary school with Purdue’s online animal science courses, designed to give you real-world, species-specific knowledge. Explore animal physiology, nutrition, production systems, ethics and food products — all skills that strengthen your veterinary school application. Credits are eligible to transfer. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of your home institution. Please consult your university’s admissions office or academic advisor to confirm whether the credit will be accepted.
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Overview
Accelerate Your Veterinary School Readiness with Real Animal Science
Pre-vet students stack their schedules with chemistry, biology and physics — critical foundational sciences. However, this curriculum is not the full picture. Veterinary schools increasingly look for applicants who understand animals in context: how nutrition, physiology, production systems, ethics, welfare and food products intersect across species and industries.
Purdue University’s 100% online animal science courses deliver crucial industry-grounded perspectives that go beyond the hard sciences. Our courses help you:
- Stand Out in Applications: Showcase applied, animal-focused learning that signals readiness for veterinary school.
- Gain Real-World Expertise: Build species-specific knowledge in nutrition, physiology, production systems and welfare.
- Develop Ethical and Industry Awareness: Understand societal roles, legal frameworks and welfare issues — all skills valued in interviews and practice.
- Enjoy Flexibility and Transferability: Complete courses online in an accelerated eight-week summer format, and transfer credits back to your home institution.
- Build Career Confidence: Explore diverse animal-related careers and enter veterinary school prepared for both academic rigor and real-world challenges.
Courses are designed for maximum flexibility, with the programs offering an accelerated eight-week format during the summer term. Plus, the 100% online classes can be completed from anywhere. Credits are eligible for transfer to your home institution, keeping you on track with your degree requirements. Confirm transfer policies with your academic advisor to ensure seamless integration into your program.
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Already a Purdue student? Talk to your academic advisor about adding these courses into your current plan of study.
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Prerequisites
Most courses in this animal science portfolio do not require prerequisites. However, two advanced courses have foundational requirements. Principles of Animal Nutrition (ANSC 22100) requires introductory chemistry (CHEM 11100 or equivalent) and Physiology of Domestic Animals (ANSC 23000) requires introductory biology (BIO 11000 or equivalent). Students may complete these prerequisites at Purdue University or through a similar-level course at their home institution before enrolling.
Courses
Purdue’s animal science courses provide students with essential foundational knowledge that can enhance an application to veterinary medical school or help launch a rewarding animal science career. These courses will be offered during summer, spring and fall terms: Introduction to Animal Agriculture (ANSC 10200), Ethics of Animal Use (ANSC 12100), and Principles of Animal Nutrition (ANSC 22100). These courses will be offered during the summer term only: Physiology of Domestic Animals (ANSC 23000), Principles of Animal Production (ANSC 24000), and Principles of Animal Products (ANSC 25500).
ANSC 10200 provides a comprehensive introduction to animal agriculture, examining how major livestock and poultry species are produced, managed and evaluated in the United States and globally. Through an engaging, fully online and asynchronous format, students explore foundational concepts including animal nutrition, genetics, reproductive physiology, behavior, welfare, economics and industry structure. The course also offers species-specific insights into beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, small ruminants and equine management.
Designed for undergraduate students, this course builds essential scientific and industry literacy while connecting biological principles to real-world animal production systems. perspective.
Learning Outcomes
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the historical development of livestock and poultry production practices in the United States
- Describe key principles of animal physiology, genetics, nutrition and behavior and their impact on animal health and productivity
- Compare housing, management and welfare practices across major livestock and poultry species
- Analyze economic, social and industry factors influencing animal agriculture systems
- Discuss current and emerging trends, challenges and innovations in livestock and poultry production
- Identify grand challenges in animal agriculture, such as disease control, sustainability and environmental impact
- Articulate how careers, including veterinary medicine, contribute to improving animal health, welfare and production systems in the U.S. and globally
ANSC 12100 explores the complex relationships between humans and animals in contemporary society. Through an ethical, cultural and scientific lens, students examine how animals are used as food, companions, research subjects and sources of entertainment. Topics include animal agriculture, companion and exotic animals, wildlife, animals in science and animals in human culture, with an emphasis on real-world case studies and evidence-based discussion.
Designed as an engaging, discussion-driven course, ANSC 12100 challenges students to think critically about the social, legal and ethical considerations that shape animal use today. Students leave with a stronger understanding of how science, policy and public values intersect in animal-related decision-making.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate ethical and societal issues surrounding human use of animals
- Explain the diverse roles animals play in agriculture, companionship, research, entertainment and wildlife contexts
- Analyze how culture, law and science influence human–animal relationships
- Assess legal protections for animals and identify their limitations
- Locate, evaluate and apply credible information to animal welfare and ethics discussions
- Develop evidence-based perspectives relevant to careers in animal science, veterinary medicine and related fields
Principles of Animal Nutrition provides undergraduate students with a comprehensive foundation in how animals utilize nutrients to support growth, health and performance. This course explores the classification and function of nutrients, digestive physiology across species, feedstuff evaluation and practical ration formulation for domestic animals. While principles apply broadly to mammalian and avian species, students gain applied exposure to livestock, horses and companion animals. The course also introduces computerized ration balancing, preparing students with real-world technical skills. Finally, instructor-led discussions about nutritional and feed dilemmas will be presented through course materials and case study analyses. Learn more here.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify essential nutrients and explain their functions and deficiency symptoms in animals
- Compare digestive processes across ruminant, nonruminant and avian species
- Evaluate feedstuffs based on nutrient composition and intended use
- Apply principles of ration formulation using both manual and computer-assisted methods
- Develop species-appropriate feeding strategies grounded in animal physiology and nutritional needs
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the science and management of animal production systems. Students will explore life cycles, nutritional needs, genetics, reproduction and environmental factors affecting both ruminant and non-ruminant species. The course emphasizes data-driven decision-making and equips students with practical skills in interpreting and applying scientific principles to real-world production challenges.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand and apply foundational terminology and concepts in animal production.
- Explain methodologies using scientific principles and identify data needs for problem-solving.
- Analyze and evaluate scientific publications to make informed management decisions.
- Interpret and visualize data through graphs and figures for production analysis.
- Design and assess animal production systems tailored to specific environmental contexts.
Discover the science behind the foods we consume every day. This 3-credit, fully online course provides a comprehensive survey of animal product industries, including meat, dairy, eggs and wool. Students will explore how muscle becomes meat, how milk transforms into dairy products and the principles of food safety, quality and processing. Through interactive modules and real-world examples, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of the systems that connect animal agriculture to food production.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the relationships between animal agriculture and food production, including meat, milk, eggs and fiber.
- Identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting animal production and product quality.
- Define and evaluate safety, quality and wholesomeness standards for animal products.
- Assess current issues and technologies impacting animal product quantity and quality.
This course introduces undergraduate students to the essential principles of domestic animal physiology. Through an in-depth exploration of major physiological systems — including endocrine, nervous, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, immune, gastrointestinal and reproductive — you’ll gain a strong foundation in how these systems maintain homeostasis and respond to change.
What You’ll Learn:
- Understand the structure and function of key physiological systems in domestic animals.
- Analyze how disruptions in these systems impact overall health and homeostasis.
- Develop the ability to formulate testable hypotheses and design conceptual experiments related to animal physiology.
Unique job postings for July 2024-25. Projected growth for years 2019-2029.
Top Job Titles
An Animal Science degree prepares graduates for a wide range of impactful careers, including Veterinarians, Associate Veterinarians, Relief Veterinarians, Emergency Veterinarians, Clinical Veterinarians, Small Animal Veterinarians, Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, Managing Veterinarians, Veterinary Hospital Managers, and Professional Services Veterinarians. These roles span clinical practice, hospital leadership, emergency care, and industry services, all focused on advancing animal health, welfare, and veterinary innovation.
Top Industries
Animal Science graduates find employment across diverse and impactful sectors, including Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Education and Hospitals (State Government), Social Advocacy Organizations, Scientific Research and Development Services, and the Federal Government, Civilian sector. These industries rely on animal science expertise to support public health, research innovation, education, regulatory oversight, and animal welfare initiatives at both state and national levels.
To take Purdue’s Animal Science courses, you will apply to Purdue University as a non-degree seeking undergraduate student. If you have any questions, please contact an enrollment counselor at POApply@purdue.edu.
To get started, complete a non-degree application under Purdue University Online.
Transcripts are not required and a $60 non-refundable application is needed to apply.
Once admitted, you will receive a confirmation letter from the Office of Admissions after your application has been processed. This letter will contain your PUID and temporary password to activate your myPurdue student account. Follow instructions to activate your Purdue Career Account.
Students can only register for the semester for which they applied. If you do not register in the semester you are admitted to, you may submit a change of term form in the application portal. This form can only be submitted once.