BS Animal Sciences at University of Missouri-Columbia

Programme overview

Humans have been improving the value of animals as companions, transportation, laborers and food since the first dogs, horses, donkeys and cattle were domesticated. Animal Sciences provides an in-depth focus on whole-animal biology and contributes to advances in livestock production, the equine industry, animal health and human health through cutting-edge research and direct application of that new knowledge. Animal Scientists apply the latest in genetics, physiology and nutrition to all of these diverse fields.

Faculty: College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources | Department: Animal Sciences | Duration: 120 credit hours | Location: Columbia, MO, United States

What you will study

Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences are required to complete all University general education, University graduation, and degree requirements, including selected foundational courses, which may fulfill some University general education requirements. STAT 1200 Introductory Statistical Reasoning (or higher STAT course) 3-5

Career pathways

By employing a whole-animal approach to science, this degree prepares students for any number of career paths, including agribusiness, livestock production, the equine industry, research, pre-veterinary medicine, captive wild animal management, and animal products. In agribusiness, our graduates are in demand to fill sales and management positions with feed and pharmaceutical companies such as Land O’Lakes, MFA, Zoetis and Elanco.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is through University of Missouri undergraduate admissions (university-level; no major-specific admission requirement in the catalogue entry).

Domestic applicants: USD 16,970 a year (2026-27). Missouri resident tuition for the 2026-27 academic year (fall and spring, 12-18 credit hours per term flat rate), Tuition Tier 2; the tier is assigned by major in the Cashiers Office tuition calculator (cashiers.missouri.edu/tuition-and-fees/undergraduate Source

International applicants: USD 40,132 a year (2026-27). Non-Missouri resident tuition for the 2026-27 academic year (fall and spring, 12-18 credit hours per term flat rate), Tuition Tier 2; the tier is assigned by major in the Cashiers Office tuition calculator. Excludes the $1,256 mandatory fees, housing and Source

Freshman applicants can apply for the Fall term; the Mizzou application and Common Application open on Aug. 1 for the following academic year. Transfer students can begin in the Fall, Spring or Summer term.

Transfer applications are listed for Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 entry.

Freshman applications open Aug. 1; the priority deadline for admission and scholarship consideration is Dec. 1 and the application deadline is July 1. Admission decisions are released from Oct. 1 on a rolling basis. Honors College applications open Sept. 15 and close Feb. 1.

Transfer applications for Spring 2027 opened May 1, 2026 and for Fall 2027 open Aug. 1, 2026; the FAFSA deadline is Feb. 1, 2027 and the deadline for general, competitive and departmental scholarships for Fall 2027 transfers is Feb. 1, 2027.

Freshman applicants apply through the Mizzou Application or the Common Application, pay a $55 application fee, and may apply with ACT or SAT scores or through the test-optional review (homeschooled students and students from non-accredited schools must submit a test score).

International undergraduate applicants have no application deadline (applying 6-12 months before the start term is recommended), pay a $65 application fee, and are not required to submit SAT/ACT scores; an English proficiency exam score is required.

Graduate programmes apply through the Graduate School online application for admission, which requires a qualifying bachelor degree and at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of baccalaureate coursework; School of Law, School of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Occupational Therapy Doctorate have their own application processes.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.missouri.edu/apply/

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