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Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS)Major

Getting into veterinary (or any professional) school is extremely competitive. The Animal and Nutritional Sciences program provides challenging and innovative experiences to give you the best preparation possible.

By the numbers73

73.3% of students who complete necessary course work and apply to veterinary school are accepted. The national average is 43%.

Overview

What is Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) at WVU like?

Description

The Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) major is designed to provide high quality education and training for students who plan to enroll in veterinary, graduate or professional school. You’ll gain basic and applied knowledge relevant to animal biology, nutrition, physiology, reproduction and genetics.

This program is often affectionately labeled as the “pre-veterinary” major, but it’s so much more. Animal and Nutritional Sciences is also your pathway to physician assistant, dentistry or medical school. Our faculty advisers are knowledgeable about course requirements in those areas and can help you find the best fit.

Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) program highlights:

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At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

  • Many study abroad opportunities, including opportunities to travel to Estonia and tour London Zoo.
  • Train service dogs for course credit as part of WVU’s partnership with Hearts of Gold.
  • Participate in Livestock Judging, Poultry Judging, Dairy Challenge and Dairy Judging Teams.
  • Opportunities exist in areas of poultry feed research and immunology.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Rankings

What is Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) at WVU ranked?

Ranked16

Most Popular Animal Science program in the nation (College Factual)

Ranked23

Most Focused Animal Science program in the nation (College Factual)

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Graduates typically pursue professional school (veterinary, medical, dental, pharmacy, public health) or graduate school.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) at WVU?

A&VS 251:
Principles of Animal Science

A comparative study of the production of meat, milk, eggs and wool. Nutrition, physiology genetics, hygiene and physical environment, and economics are discussed as bases for sound managerial decisions.

A&VS 275:
Companion Animal Science

Basic physiology, nutrition and genetics; economic and ethical consideration of pet ownership; benefits of companion animals in society; aspects of handling and training, behavior, and common health diseases and parasite problems of pet animals.

A&VS 276:
Service Dog Training

Application of current principles, theory, and practices for training service dogs.

A&VS 281:
Introduction to Equine Care and Use

Survey of basic equine care, breeds, use, management, and behavior with a lab in equine safety and handling.

A&VS 411:
Dairy Heifer Management

Application of current management practices for raising dairy calves from birth through establishment of pregnancy.

VETS 302:
Animal Pathology

Diseases of farm animals with special emphasis on their cause, prevention, and control.

VETS 401:
Veterinary Anatomy

Functional study of domestic and farm animal anatomy.

VETS 403:
Veterinary Anatomy Laboratory

Gross dissection techniques used for the study of functional anatomy in domestic animals.

VETS 411:
Principles of Laboratory Animal Science

The production, genetics, physiology, nutrition, disease and regulations of laboratory animals used in research and teaching. This course meets minimal requirements for laboratory animal technical certification programs of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).

Cost and Aid

How much does Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

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Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design may qualify for Innovators scholarships based on GPA. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

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Request Information

Want to know more about Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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