Information for Spring 2026 Registration
Be on the lookout for an email from your CNS Upper-level Academic Advisor asking you to sign up for an advising appointment.
Freshmen - Class of 2029 - You will receive information from your CNS First Year Advisor.
Prepare for your advising appointment
Prior to meeting with your advisor, please review your academic advising report (ARR) in SPIRE for accuracy and be prepared with any questions you have regarding academic/career goals and your plan of study for the next semester. Your questions and plans will help your advisor to suggest the most appropriate courses, independent study, and practical opportunities available to you. If you are unfamiliar with who your academic advisor is, please check in the lower right corner of your student center on SPIRE or contact Lisa West.
Registration for the Spring 2026 semester begins for
Seniors: 87 credits and above:
Monday, Nov 10 & Wednesday, Nov 12
Juniors: 57– 86 credits:
Thursday, Nov 13 – Friday, Nov 14
Sophomores: 27– 56 credits:
Monday, Nov 17 – Wednesday, Nov 19
Freshmen: 26 credits and below: Friday, Nov 21, and Monday, Nov 24 and Tuesday, Nov 25
NOTE: Both enrollment appointment times AND eligibility to register for a course are determined by a student’s potential credit total, which includes what they are enrolled in CURRENTLY.
The Course Catalog will open on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Peer Advisors
The Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department Peer Advisors hold weekly drop-in office hours to provide support, information, mentoring, and a sense of community for other undergraduate majors in VASCI. Animal Science Peer Advisors have received training in department curriculum, academic procedures and policies, academic enrichment, non-academic resources, and referrals for personal concerns and emergencies.
Fall 2025 semester office hours:
Mondays, 12:20-1:10pm ISB 427L Integrated Sciences Building
Tuesdays, 2:30-3:45pm Reception Area outside ISB 427U and 427X
Wednesdays,1:25-2:15pm ISB 427L Integrated Sciences Building
Thursdays,11:30am-12:45pm Reception Area outside ISB 427U and 427X
UMass 2025-2026 Academic Calendar
Registering for Classes Frequently Asked Questions - please click on this link to view the most Frequently Asked Questions and their answers.
Majors/Concentrations
Animal Management Concentration
Course Checklists
- Animal Management/Animal Science Major Checklist
- Biotechnology/Animal Science Major Checklist
- Equine Science/Animal Science Major Checklist
- Pre-Veterinary Major Checklist
- Second Major/Animal Science Checklist
Forms
Entry to PreVeterinary Science Major form
Petition to Substitute a higher level course for ANIMLSCI 101
Biotechnology Research Contract for 291C, 291M, 391C, 391M, 491C, 491M
Internships and Practica - sign up using Handshake
VASCI Petition to Substitute a Required Course
Prior Approval for Transfer Courses (available through the registrar)
UMass Learning Resource Center (LRC)—supplemental instruction, tutoring, and more!
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) serves as the central undergraduate academic and undergraduate research support unit for the University of Massachusetts Amherst. At UMass Amherst’s Learning Resource Center (LRC), there are four different branches of academic support and undergraduate research support available to students, including Peer Tutoring (drop in and by appointment), Study Skills Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction (SI) and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies (OURS). LRC and OURS services are built-in campus resources, and they are completely free for UMass undergraduate students. The different types of academic resources are available to support students in achieving their iteration of academic success at UMass Amherst.
Student Success
Take Charge of Your Learning - Great Resources for great strategies including videos, workshops, charts, checklists, and more!
First-Generation Students and Alumni group
The First-Generation Students and Alumni group on Connect UMass is a real-world networking space for students and alumni who identify with the first-generation college student experience. The platform helps students practice personal and professional networking with a matching quiz, message templates, and general guidance on networking etiquette. All alumni members have joined explicitly to support and/or mentor current students. Students, alumni, staff, and faculty are also welcome to post on the First-Generation Students and Alumni message board about upcoming first-gen events, first-gen and first-gen adjacent resources, questions for the group, networking strategies, and more.