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. These innovative classes can also help you launch a rewarding animal science career. Explore animal physiology, nutrition, production systems, ethics and food products — all skills that strengthen your veterinary school application or lay a foundation to work within the animal science field.
Credits are eligible to transfer to other colleges and universities. 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.
Ready to learn about Fundamentals of Animal Science?
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. 16-week options are also available for those wishing to take courses during the spring or fall semesters. Please contact an enrollment counselor for details.
Purdue’s 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.
The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
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.
Application Deadlines
Summer 2026
Application Deadline: June, 1, 2026
Summer 1 Courses Start: May 18, 2026 (ANSC 22100)
Summer 2 Courses Start: June 15, 2026 (All summer courses)
Fall 2026
Application Deadline: August 1, 2026
Semester Begins: August 24, 2026
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: Principles of Animal Production (ANSC 24000) and Principles of Animal Products (ANSC 25500). Available starting Summer 2027, for summer term: Physiology of Domestic Animals (ANSC 23000).
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 online 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. Transcripts are not required and a $60 non-refundable application is needed to apply.
You will receive a decision letter from the Office of Admissions after your application has been processed. If admitted, 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.
Purdue University’s enrollment counselors are available to help answer your questions about our programs and the application process. Schedule an appointment today for assistance.
Yve Vega
Enrollment Counselor
Schedule an appointment