The academic BSc study of Animal Sciences is unique in Wageningen and, besides from the study Veterinary Medicine at the faculty in Utrecht, it is the only study about husbandries and animals in a scientific educational window. All studies at Wageningen University have a three year Bachelor of Sciences (BSc). Many BSc graduates of Animal Sciences continue with a two year master of Animal Sciences (MAS).
The bachelor of Animal Sciences is split up into two majors. The first one is 'Animal managment and care' and the second one is 'Biological functioning of animals'. The first year of BSc starts the same for every student with a number of basic courses, such as biology, chemistry, mathematics and statistics, and some study specific courses about animals (YAS-courses). In the second year, you will choose your major and follow more animal oriented courses in the major you choose. In the third year, students can choose a minor and follow a thesis at a chair group. The complete summary of courses and possibilities for minors can be found here.
For more information on the BSc Animal Sciences, please feel free to contact the BSc-coordinator Tessa van Soest (tessa.vansoestThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Francine Wartena (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the site of the university (http://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Bachelor/BSc-programmes/BSc-An...)
What exactly is Animal Sciences? Is scientific research on animals important? Well of course, as animals play an important role in our society. Most animals are kept for food production. Animals are kept by and for humans, which is why the social interaction between animals and humans is getting more attention. Animals play a big role in the maintenance of landscape, nature reserves and recreation. Animal Sciences offers you the unique possibility to value the different functions of animals and to optimise them in any given situation while regarding the possibilities given by the environment. Animal Sciences for a society that takes responsibility of its animals!
“Prevention is better than cure” is the motto of many Animal Scientists. A word that resonates where animals are kept. Does it improve animal welfare and farm income? That is why within Animal Sciences we look at animal diseases, welfare measures and other factors that play a role in sustainable livestock husbandry. Besides this Animal Scientists can’t ignore societal and ethical discussions regarding animal husbandry as these make life interesting! The study offers you basic knowledge and prepares you to contribute to a responsible animal husbandry and safe food production. You get the opportunity to dive deeper into certain areas or you can decide to broaden your horizon.
More information regarding the BSc, MSc, the different specialisations, internship possibilities and study advice can be found on the different sub sections. For more questions you can contact the Board of the study association “De Veetelers”, the Education Commissioner I (BSc) and Education Commissioner II (MSc) or the education committee DEC.
What is the university trainee Animal Sciences? Is the science of animals important? Yes it does, since animals play a key role in our society, especially for economic reasons (for instance our food industry). Even the social relationship between humans and animals increases in interest, probably because humans keep animals for people. Besides that, animals play a vital role in the landscape design, recreation and nature management.The study Animal Sciences provides you the unique possibility to understand and appreciate all the different purposes of animals and to optimise those purposes in several situations, however with the conditions that are given by nature and environment. In other words: the study of Animal Sciences contributes to responsible caring of (production) animals.
‘’Prevention is better than cure!’’ is the famous Dutch motto for a lot of Animal Scientists, and so true when talking about keeping animals. However, does this also apply for animal welfare or economic affairs? So within Animal Sciences, animal diseases, welfare measurements and other factors are examined for accountable keeping of animals. Of course, when discussing and examining these factors, we cannot evade the current societal and ethical discussions when it comes to keeping livestock, a challenging task! Animal Sciences provides basic knowledge and trains you to contribute in developing, in a responsible way, to handle animals and safe food of animal origin. You get the opportunity to specialize in certain fields or to broaden your perspective beyond this field.
More information about the content and study schedule of the bachelor Animal Sciences or the master of Animal Sciences, the different specializations, opportunities for internship and study-advice, can you find on the sub-pages that matches this page. For more and other questions, please feel free to contact the Board of Study Association ‘’De Veetelers’’, the Educational Commissioner I (BSc) and the Educational Commissioner II (MSc), or the Educational Commitee ROK. They are happy to answer your questions.