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Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: School of Agriculture and Food Systems

Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BSAgr), BSAgr

This curriculum provides the necessary background in agricultural economics, agronomy, breeding, nutrition and physiology. You’ll be prepared for careers in production and management of dairy, livestock or poultry, food processing and technology, as well as graduate school.

A degree in animal science allows you an opportunity to improve the health of both animals and people by affecting the food system at the ground level.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

In this program you'll study animal behavior, health, nutrition and management. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped to make a meaningful and immediate impact on local farms and families.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Work on one of the oldest and largest certified organic university farms in the U.S.
  • Animal Science Research, Education and Outreach Center includes service dog training facility and state-of-the-art poultry feed mill.
  • Gain hands-on experience at our farms and forests as a student worker.
  • The J.W. Ruby Research, Education and Resource Center and Hazel Ruby McQuain Equine Education and Resource Center are vital for hands-on horsemanship courses and community horse organizations.
  • Connect with industry peers as a member of the livestock judging, poultry judging and dairy judging teams, and Dairy Challenge.
  • Morgantown facilities include the 190-acre Agronomy Research, Education and Outreach Center, 175-acre Organic Agriculture Research, Education and Outreach Center, and the 408-acre Animal Science Research, Education and Outreach Center.
  • Small-school environment with all the resources of a large university. You’ll benefit from one-on-one faculty interactions and develop a close relationship with your faculty and peers.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

  • Intern at zoos, research facilities and in the animal nutrition and poultry industries.
  • Train service dogs for course credit as part of WVU’s partnership with Hearts of Gold.
  • Research opportunities exist in areas of poultry feed and immunology.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

Median Salary: $83,770

Possible job titles include: Greenhouse Manager, Grower, Nursery Manager, Production Manager, Aquaculture Director.

Explore Career

Agricultural Technicians

Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $43,180

Possible job titles include: Agricultural Research Technician, Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Research Associate, Seed Analyst.

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Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $51,430

Possible job titles include: Biological Science Laboratory Technician, Biological Technician, Laboratory Technician, Research Associate.

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Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $88,410

Possible job titles include: Environmental Studies Professor, Lecturer, Instructor.

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Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $43,740

Possible job titles include: Veterinary Laboratory Technician, Veterinary Nurse, Vet Tech.

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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine post-operative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $36,440

Possible job titles include: Animal Caregiver, Technician Assistant, Veterinarian Assistant, Veterinary Assistant (Vet Assistant).

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First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Median Salary: $57,320

Possible job titles include: Farm Manager, Fish Hatchery Manager, Fish Hatchery Specialist, Hatchery Manager, Wildlife Manager, Pest Management Supervisor, Logging Supervisor.

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Fishing and Hunting Workers

Hunt, trap, catch, or gather wild animals or aquatic animals and plants. May use nets, traps, or other equipment. May haul catch onto ship or other vessel.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $35,520

Possible job titles include: Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, Wildlife Control Operator, Urban Wildlife Damage Control Specialist, Nuisance Wildlife Trapper, Commercial Fisherman.

Explore Career

Career options

Graduates of the Animal and Nutritional Sciences BSAgr program are well-prepared for entry-level positions in poultry, equine, dairy and beef industries, as well as production management, pharmaceutical and feed sales, or to continue their education in graduate school.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BSAgr) major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BSAgr) at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BSAgr) major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BSAgr) can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

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Learn how to join the WVU family.

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Want to know more about Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BSAgr) at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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