Changing to the BS Animal Science Major
If you would like to change your major to Animal Science you should:
1. Make an appointment with Dr. Cassie Uricchio, Chief Undergraduate Advisor.
2. Consider if Animal Science is truly the right major for you. We offer a rigorous science-intensive program that presents the opportunity to gain experience with species relevant to traditional animal science programs. It is not a clinical program in veterinary medicine and thus does not offer small animal, exotic animal, or wildlife experiences, nor is it the appropriate program for those interested in production agriculture. Animal Science majors must complete courses necessary for a concentration in Animal Management, Animal Biotechnology, or Equine Science.
3. Review the Frequently Asked Questions for the Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department undergraduate program.
4. Review the Undergraduate Handbook. This will help you decide whether you’d like to change your major to Animal Science and whether you can finish your degree on time. Please carefully review each of the following sections of the handbook:
Degree Requirements & Elective Courses
Suggested Sequence of Courses
NOTE: Freshmen should contact the First Year Advising office to change their major.
Changing to the BS Pre-Veterinary Major
All students enter as Animal Science majors and must qualify to change to the Pre-Veterinary Science major.
In order to qualify for the Pre-Veterinary Science major students must:
1. Achieve a weighted GPA of B- (2.700) or better in the following required courses:
- ANIMLSCI 103 - Intro to Animal Management
- ANIMLSCI 220 - Anatomy & Physiology of Domestic Animal
- ANIMLSCI 285 - Cellular and Molecular Biology
- BIOLOGY 151, 152, 153 - Introduction to Biology and lab
- CHEM 111 & 112 - General Chemistry
- CHEM 261 - Organic Chemistry
- MATH 127 - Calculus
2. Complete the Pre-Veterinary Science major GPA calculation form and submit the form to the Undergraduate Program Office, 427X ISB or @email. If the student is qualified to change to the Pre-Veterinary Science major, the change will be made in the student’s SPIRE account and the Academic Requirements Report will change to reflect the requirements for the Pre-Veterinary Science major.
Schedule a Pre-Veterinary advising appointment with Dr. Telfer in Navigate at https://umass.campus.eab.com. Include the reason: VASCI Pre-Vet. Zoom 488-527-7442
Changing to the BS Veterinary Technology Major
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Amy Rubin, Director of the Veterinary Technology Program
Changing to another major outside of the Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department
Contact the Chief Undergraduate Advisor in the major you are interested in changing to.
Double Major vs. Dual Degree
If you are considering taking two majors, you have a choice between a double major or a dual degree.
Double major: (120 cr): Students pursuing a double major choose a primary and secondary major, fulfill the course requirements for both, and graduate with a minimum of 120 credits total. Certain requirements, such as junior year writing, must be completed in the primary major. Students with double majors should meet with the academic advisors in both departments to learn the extent to which courses required by one major can be used to satisfy the requirements of the other major. At graduation, a double major earns a single degree in the primary major, but both the primary and secondary major are recorded on the transcript.
Dual degree: (150 cr) Students wishing to earn two degrees, each in a different major, must complete all of the major and college requirements for both degrees, and also must complete at least 30 additional units for a minimum of 150 credits. Requirements must be completed within ten semesters unless the academic dean grants an extension.
Adding Animal Science as a Secondary Major
If you would like to add Animal Science as a secondary major, you should
1. Make an appointment with Cassie Uricchio, Chief Undergraduate Advisor.
2. Consider if Animal Science is truly the right major for you. We offer a rigorous science-intensive program that presents the opportunity to gain experience with species relevant to traditional animal science programs. It is not a clinical program in veterinary medicine and thus does not offer small animal, exotic animal, or wildlife experiences, nor is it the appropriate program for those interested in production agriculture.
3. Review the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for the Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department Undergraduate Program.
4. Review the Undergraduate Handbook. This will help you decide whether you’d like to change your major to animal science and whether you can finish your degree on time. Please carefully review each of the following sections of the handbook:
Degree Requirements & Elective Courses
Suggested Sequence of Courses