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

Animal and Nutritional Sciences, BS

The Animal and Nutritional Sciences (BS) major is designed to provide high quality education and training for students who plan to enroll in veterinary school as well as other graduate or professional programs. You’ll gain basic and applied knowledge relevant to animal biology, nutrition, physiology, reproduction, and genetics.
This program is often affectionately labeled the “pre-veterinary” major, but it’s much more. Animal and Nutritional Sciences is your pathway to graduate health programs. Our faculty advisers are knowledgeable about course requirements in those areas and can help you find the best fit.

Your Degree Plan

Getting into professional school, especially veterinary school, is extremely competitive. The Animal and Nutritional Sciences program provides challenging and innovative experiences that prepare you for a career in a STEM field.
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 and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

  • Shadow veterinarians at local animal hospitals or through internships at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, and The Wilds.
  • Animal Science Research, Education, and Outreach Center includes service dog training facility and state-of-the-art poultry feed mill.
  • 73.3% veterinary school acceptance rate (compare to national average of 43%).
  • 69% of the 13 contract seats (or openings) reserved for West Virginia residents at 2 out-of-state veterinary schools are awarded to WVU grads.
  • The Davis-Michael Scholars Program provides enhanced learning experiences through networking and etiquette training events, tutoring opportunities, and visits to veterinary schools.
  • Established in 2001, the Davis-Michael Scholars Program has provided $4.4 million in scholarships.
  • Small-school environment with all the resources of a large university. You’ll benefit from 1-on-1 faculty interactions and develop a close relationship with your faculty and peers.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

  • Many study abroad opportunities, including opportunities to travel to Estonia and tour London Zoo.
  • Train service dogs for course credit as part of WVU’s partnership with Hearts of Gold.
  • Participate in livestock judging, poultry judging, Dairy Challenge, and dairy judging teams.
  • Opportunities exist in areas of poultry feed research and immunology.
Animal and Nutritional Sciences BS majors may complete an internship as part of their capstone experience.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Veterinarians

Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.

Has a Bright Outlook

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $125,510

Possible Job Titles: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Emergency Veterinarian (Emergency Vet), Small Animal Veterinarian (Small Animal Vet), Veterinary Medicine Doctor (DVM)

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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 postoperative 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: $37,320

Possible Job Titles: Animal Care Provider, Animal Caregiver, Certified Veterinary Assistant, Veterinarian Assistant (Vet Assistant)

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Animal Scientists

Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

Has a Bright Outlook

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $79,120

Possible Job Titles: Animal Nutritionist, Animal Scientist, Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Research Scientist

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Biological Technicians

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

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $52,000

Possible Job Titles: Biological Technician, Laboratory Technician, Research Associate, Research Technician

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Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. 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. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $46,790

Possible Job Titles: Agricultural Research Technician (Agricultural Research Tech), Agricultural Technician (Agricultural Tech), Agriculture Assistant, Seed Analyst

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Dentists, General

Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.

Median Salary: $172,790

Possible Job Titles: Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Pediatric Dentist

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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: $87,980

Possible Job Titles: Aquaculture Director, Farm Manager, Greenhouse Manager, Ranch Manager

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Animal Caretakers

Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $33,470

Possible Job Titles: Aquarist, Dog Groomer, Groomer, Kennel Technician (Kennel Tech)

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Preventive Medicine Physicians

Apply knowledge of general preventive medicine and public health issues to promote health care to groups or individuals, and aid in the prevention or reduction of risk of disease, injury, disability, or death. May practice population-based medicine or diagnose and treat patients in the context of clinical health promotion and disease prevention.

Median Salary: $239,200

Possible Job Titles: Occupational Medicine Physician, Physician, Public Health Officer, Public Health Physician

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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: $59,330

Possible Job Titles: Farm Supervisor, Harvesting Supervisor, Hatchery Manager, Logging Supervisor

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Contract schools for WV residents

Because West Virginia does not have its own veterinary school, West Virginia residents are given special consideration during application to The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Learn about contract schools.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Animal and Nutritional Sciences 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 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.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Animal and Nutritional Sciences, BS 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 can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

More About Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

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

Request Info

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