Our undergraduate curriculum is designed to provide you with a comprehensive scientific awareness of cell and molecular biology, critical and ethical thinking, and skills in laboratory techniques and animal management and communication.
Our graduate curriculum and research program helps you achieve creative excellence, technical mastery, intellectual independence, and recognition within the field of molecular and cellular biology as it is applied to immunology, infectious disease, developmental biology, reproductive biology, and toxicology.
Our research mission is to understand the basic processes that regulate animal and human health, fertility and productivity, and to apply this knowledge to benefit companion and food animals as well as people. In our department, we value an open and inclusive environment that celebrates the diversity of our students and staff.
In our undergraduate program, you'll find three specialty majors leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree:
As an incoming freshman, you can choose the Animal Science major or Veterinary Technology major. Animal Science majors must also choose one of three concentrations:
Students must qualify to change to the Pre-Veterinary Science major. Both the Animal Science major and the Pre-Veterinary Science major offer opportunities for research and internships. The Pre-Veterinary Science major provides pre-professional training if you are planning to continue your education in veterinary, graduate, or medical school, or are contemplating joining the teaching profession. The Animal Science major covers the basic sciences and prepares you for a wide range of jobs in agriculture and related biomedical fields.
The UMass Amherst Veterinary Technology Program at the Amherst and Mt. Ida campuses is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and trains future Veterinary Technologists by offering a science degree that offers depth in a basic science and veterinary medicine curriculum combined with a breadth of general education classes across disciplines.
You may also, if you qualify, elect to participate in the Departmental Honors program.
Students interested in Sustainable Food and Farming, can find additional classes offered through the Stockbridge School of Agriculture.
To learn more about the Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department's undergraduate program, please access our Frequently Asked Questions.
Learning Objectives for Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Science Majors