Animal and veterinary biosciences is the health of animals
Studying the biology of domesticated animals helps us better understand their health and provides insight into their interactions with people.
As an Animal and Veterinary Biosciences major you will:
- Learn about cattle, swine, sheep, horses, poultry, and goats, as well as companion animals such as cats and dogs
- Engage in hands-on courses studying animal breeding, veterinary genetics, animal health and welfare, physiology, and animal nutrition
- Explore important issues related to biomedical advancements, food safety, precision livestock farming, animal health and welfare, and land and water stewardship
Career Paths
Animal and veterinary biosciences graduates are prepared for careers in veterinary medicine, research, agriculture, healthcare, nutrition, food, and business.
Here are just a few examples of what our animal and veterinary biosciences graduates are doing with their careers:
Your CALS Experience
Build your skills outside the classroom
Develop real-world skills with a choice of more than a dozen lab courses that cover topics like animal handling, reproductive biology, veterinary genetics, animal welfare, and meat science and biologics.
Volunteer at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine or one of the department’s many animal care facilities. There are a wide variety of volunteer and internship opportunities to choose from on campus.
Get involved. Find your people.
Explore a few of the animal and veterinary biosciences-related student organizations at UW–Madison:
Beyond student organizations, explore additional opportunities to get involved in animal or agriculture-related organizations on campus:
Learn through hands-on research
There is a wide variety of domesticated animal research happening all across the UW–Madison campus. Engage in undergraduate research to develop real-world laboratory skills, practice public speaking, and build your network on campus. Additionally, many students have the opportunity to present their research at conferences and publish their research in scientific journals.
You can also conduct independent research in faculty labs and learn first-hand from faculty, staff, and graduate students.
Study abroad and gain global perspective
Travel internationally and complement your coursework and research with a study abroad program. Study animal nutrition in the Netherlands, animal physiology in Ireland, animal agriculture and sustainable development in Mexico, and so much more.
You can also choose from one of UW–Madison’s many semester, summer, and short-term study abroad programs and map your study abroad experience as an animal and veterinary biosciences major.
75%
Students who complete independent study projects
12+
Hands-on lab course options
$262,000
Department scholarships offered yearly
Advisor & Contact Information
Advisors can answer your questions, help you create a degree plan that meets your personal and professional goals, and connect you to resources across the UW–Madison campus.
Incoming students should reach out to CALS Academic Affairs Team to direct your questions. Current UW–Madison students should schedule with their assigned advisor using Starfish.
CALS Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3003
Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences
260 Animal Sciences Building
1675 Observatory Dr., Madison, WI 53706
(608) 263-3308
Want to learn more about animal and veterinary biosciences?