Bachelor of Science (Animal Science)

Advance outcomes for animals and industry

We rely on animals for so much—labour, entertainment, companionship. Animal science is essential for keeping the animals under our charge housed, fed, healthy and safe.

Animal scientists research new technologies and approaches to managing animal production and welfare, develop and run breeding programs, regulate animal feed and products, and work to decrease the environmental impact of agriculture.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Science (Animal Science) prepares you for success in the lab and the field. You will:   

  • learn how to positively influence the productivity and welfare of livestock, as well as the health of pets, zoo animals and wildlife
  • build practical skills with 200 hours of professional work experience 
  • work with a variety of species, including livestock, horses, wildlife, companion animals and laboratory animals
  • join a close-knit, animal-focused community at our Roseworthy campus
  • study the fundamentals of animal physiology, as you explore areas like wildlife management, nutrition and on-farm management
  • draw on the University’s internationally recognised expertise in animal and veterinary sciences.

Where could it take you?

You could provide farmers with ways to improve the health and welfare of livestock. Perhaps you’ll get a job as a nutritionist developing diets for companion or production animals, or work in a wildlife park or zoo. You might research laboratory animal housing, or ways to detect or control diseases that affect our wildlife.


Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.


  • Linked with co-located industry partners, like PIRSA, SARDI and ZoosSA
  • Work with livestock, horses, wildlife, companion, and lab animals
  • 200 hours of professional work experience

Entry Requirements

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Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 324141
2023 CSP ATAR 66.45
2023 CSP IB 24.25
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 75
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 27.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February
Assumed Knowledge Stage 2 Chemistry and Mathematical Methods IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL), Chemistry.
Additional Entry Requirements
Before applying, prospective students need to be aware that there is an inherent requirement to be vaccinated against Q Fever in order to study the Bachelor of Science (Animal Science). Applicants must read the vaccination guidelines before submitting their application, and be aware that by applying for this program, they are accepting this inherent requirement.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)		 Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 62.25
Median ATAR to receive an offer 82.35
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 97.1
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)		 Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 66.45
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 87.38
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.45
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)    		 8 18.2%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)    		 <5 N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    		 22 50.0%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    		 N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    		 <5 N/A
    International students 11 25.0%
    All students 44 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,485

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More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

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Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


This degree sets you up for careers in the following areas:

  • animal science professionals in government agencies
  • livestock and agricultural management
  • livestock production and nutrition
  • private companies
  • research institutes and centres
  • government agencies
  • vertebrate pest management
  • wildlife conservation
  • zoos and animal welfare organisations

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

Throughout your degree, you’ll undertake professional work experience placements at locations such as animal production facilities, farms, livestock consulting businesses, laboratory animal facilities, wildlife organisations, nutrition companies, research facilities, companion animal care facilities.  Placements can often be undertaken throughout Australia. Overseas placements are also possible, pending approval.

You must complete 200 hours of professional work experience by the mid-semester break of Semester 2 of the final year of the program.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Agricultural Consultant;  Animal Health Officer;  Livestock Scientist;  Biosecurity Officer;  Public Health Scientist;  Toxicologist;  Land Resources and Land Care;  Animal Behaviourist;  Livestock Production;  National Parks / Ranger ...

Degree Structure

In the first year level, students undertake foundation science courses that form the background for later studies in areas such as animal physiology, nutrition, reproduction, breeding and management. Level I involves studies at both the North Terrace and Roseworthy campuses, while the core elements of the rest of the program will be based at the Roseworthy campus.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Bachelor of Science (Animal Science)

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan
Year1 S1

BIOLOGY 1101 Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells

 ANIML SC 1015RW Animal Handling & Husbandry I CHEM 1100 Chemistry IA
or
CHEM 1101 Foundations of Chemistry IA		 Approved Level I Elective
[or Semester 2]
S2 BIOLOGY 1202 Biology I: Organisms

 ANIML SC 1016RW Principles in Animal Behaviour, Welfare & Ethics I

 CHEM 1200 Chemistry IB 
Or
CHEM 1201 Foundations of Chemistry IB 		 STATS 1004 Statistical Practice 1 (Life Sciences)
[or Semester 1]
Year2 S1 ANIML SC 2540RW Animal Microbiology & Virology ANIML SC 2530RW Animal and Plant Biochemistry II ANIML SC 2506RW Comparative Animal Anatomy & Physiology IIA ANIML SC 2545RW Animal Health II
S2 ANIML SC 2502RW Wildlife Management II ANIML SC 2507RW Comparative Animal Anatomy & Physiology IIB ANIML SC 2503RW Livestock Production Science II ANIML SC 2501RW Genes and Inheritance II
Year 3 S1 ANIML SC 3520RW Research Methodology for Animal Sciences III Approved Level III
Elective 1 x 3 units		 Approved Level III
Elective 1 x 3 units		 Approved Level III
Elective 1 x 3 units
S2 ANIML SC 3015RW Animal Nutrition & Metabolism III ANIML SC 3525RW Professional Skills in Animal Science Approved Level III
Elective 1 x 3 units		 Approved Level III
Elective 1 x 3 units

Assessment

Varies with individual courses and includes a combination of verbal presentations, written assignments, individual or group projects and theory and practical exams.

Related Degrees

Testimonial

My degree gave me theoretical and practical skills in a multitude of animal species that I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else, and I use those skills on a day-to-day basis in my job.
Jessica Spencer

Jessica Spencer

Bachelor of Science (Animal Science)

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

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Last updated: Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024