Why Bachelor of Science (Honours)?
Follow your passion for animals while advancing your scientific knowledge at Adelaide University.
Learn to care for and manage diverse species, from livestock and pets to zoo animals and wildlife. Gain research skills to drive innovation and improve the health, welfare and productivity of creatures great and small. Join a field that empowers you to make a real difference in solving global challenges for animals and humans alike, through hands-on work and cutting-edge research.
Overview
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Animal Science will give you a comprehensive understanding of livestock, wildlife, exotic and companion species – with a strong emphasis on gaining practical skills, critical thinking and analytical approaches to problem-solving. Adelaide University provides a science-based approach to understanding the fundamentals of how we interact with and manage animals.
Our Honours program will allow you to explore animal science in greater depth and will encourage you to research new technologies, new approaches to management of animal nutrition, breeding, production, health and welfare of livestock, wildlife and companion animals. Explore new ways to adopt sustainable solutions and decrease the environmental impact across animal systems.
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) provides a pathway for entry into a research degree at either a Masters or Doctoral (PhD) level. You’ll achieve this through the supported development of an Honours thesis in your final year.
Key features
Work with a range of species including livestock, wildlife, exotic, companion and lab animals. - Learn in real-world settings such as farms, fields, parks and production facilities.
- Expand your knowledge through professional work experience.
- Benefit from our state-of-the-art learning facilities and leading researchers.
- Engage with experts in the field and gain a competitive edge.
- Build practical skills that prepare you for success in the lab and field.
What you'll learn
In your first year you’ll explore topics such as animal handling and husbandry, animal behaviour, welfare and ethics. You’ll also cover foundational courses in biology and chemistry, as well as focus on global challenges and exciting scientific advancements. Through these topics you’ll build transferable skills in scientific data handling and visualisation.
From second year, you’ll acquire key skills for managing the productivity, health and welfare of a range of animal species. Study courses in animal physiology, genetics, health, management, nutrition and production – integrating coursework with practical and hands-on experiences.
Throughout your three years, you’ll complete work experience placement and gain practical experience in animal science. This could mean working in animal production facilities, farms, livestock consulting businesses, laboratories, wildlife organisations, zoos, nutrition companies, research facilities and companion animal care settings.
Your fourth and final honours year will extend your skills in research practices, where you’ll complete a research project. You’ll also study three courses specific to your chosen major, enabling you to become an expert in the field.
This degree also includes Undergraduate Science Core and Universal Common Core courses that allow you to expand your science education across different disciplines while maximising your professional skills.
Majors
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) is also available with majors in the following:
- Animal Behaviour
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Evolutionary Biology
- Evolutionary Biology & Palaeontology
- Genetics
- Geology
- Marine & Wildlife Conservation.
What courses you'll study
Complete 192 units comprising:
- 42 to 54 units for Core courses, and
- 84 to 144 units for Majors, and
- At least 6 units from Work integrated learning, and
- 0 to 48 units for Electives
Complete 42 to 54 units comprising:
- 6 to 12 units for all Program core, and
- 12 to 18 units from Common Core, and
- 6 to 30 units from Core Selective
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Science of People, Society and the Future Planet
|
Course code
SCIE1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Data Skills for Scientists
|
Course code
STAT1000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1A: Molecules, Genes and Cells
|
Course code
BIOL1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1B: Evolution and Diversity of Organisms
|
Course code
BIOL1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Chemistry
|
Course code
CHEM1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1A
|
Course code
CHEM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1B
|
Course code
CHEM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Planet Earth
|
Course code
EART1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Earth, Climate and Life Systems
|
Course code
EART1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 1
|
Course code
MATH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 2
|
Course code
MATH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Physics
|
Course code
PHYS1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1A
|
Course code
PHYS1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1B
|
Course code
PHYS1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Differential Equations
|
Course code
MATHX202
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Linear Algebra
|
Course code
MATHX104
|
Units
6
|
Notes
Program core - Students in the following Majors will not enrol in STAT1000 Data Skills for Scientists:
Computational Physics, Experimental Physics, Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Physics and Geophysics, Space Science and Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics
Complete 66 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Animal Handling and Husbandry
|
Course code
ANIM1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Principles of Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics
|
Course code
ANIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Comparative Animal Anatomy and Physiology 2
|
Course code
ANIM2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Animal Microbiology, Virology and Immunology 2
|
Course code
ANIM2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genes and Inheritance 2
|
Course code
ANIM2005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Livestock Production 2
|
Course code
ANIM2006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Animal Biochemistry 2
|
Course code
ANIM2012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Animal Health 3
|
Course code
ANIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Animal Nutrition and Metabolism 3
|
Course code
ANIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Research Methodology for Animal Science 3
|
Course code
ANIM3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Wildlife Management 2
|
Course code
ENVI2006
|
Units
6
|
Notes
Q Fever Vaccinations: Students majoring in Animal Science are required to be vaccinated against Q Fever (unless initial skin test indicates pre-existing immunity).
Complete at least 6 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Skills in Animal Science
|
Course code
ANIM3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
|
Course code
ANIM3900
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2
|
Course code
BIOL2900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3A
|
Course code
BIOL3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Palaeontology 3
|
Course code
EART3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Geoscience Program 3
|
Course code
EART3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Optics and Photonics 3
|
Course code
PHYS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Computational Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX300
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Placement
|
Course code
SCIE3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Project
|
Course code
SCIE3901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3B
|
Course code
BIOL2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation
|
Course code
EART3004
|
Units
6
|
Notes
If studying ANACHSCIE - Analytical Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ANIBHSCIE - Animal Behaviour then complete ANIM3900 - Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
If studying BIOCHSCIE - Biochemistry then complete BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studying CHEYHSCIE - Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ECOLHSCIE - Ecology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ENVGHSCIE - Environmental and Geospatial Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingENVSHSCIE - Environmental Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOLHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOPHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology the complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studying EXPEHSCIE - Experimental Physics then completePHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studying FOODHSCIE - Food Science and Technology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying GENEHSCIE - Genetics then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 or BIOL3901 - Genetics Practical 3B or BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studyingGEOLHSCIE - Geology then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOEHSCIE - Geology and Earth Resources then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOPHSCIE - Geology and Palaeontology then complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studyingGEOYHSCIE - Geophysics then complete EART3004 - Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation and may also complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMARWHSCIE - Marine and Wildlife Conservation then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMEDBHSCIE - Medicinal and Biological Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMICRHSCIE - Microbiology and Immunology then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 and BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3 and BIOL3012 - Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
If studyingNUCCHSCIE - Nuclear Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingNUCRHSCIE - Nuclear and Radiation Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingPHYGHSCIE - Physics and Geophysics then complete PHYS3004 - Optics and Photonics 3 or PHYSX300 - Computational Physics
If studyingPLABHSCIE - Plant Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingPACHHSCIE - Pure and Applied Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSOILHSCIE - Soil Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSPACHSCIE - Space Science and Astrophysics then complete PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingTHEOHSCIE - Theoretical Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Animal Science Pt 2 (Hons)
|
Course code
ANIM4002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Communicating Science
|
Course code
EART4004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Honours Animal Studies Project
|
Course code
ANIM4001
|
Units
36
|
Notes
Q Fever Vaccinations: Students majoring in Animal Science are required to be vaccinated against Q Fever (unless initial skin test indicates pre-existing immunity).
Career outcomes
There are unlimited career options in animal science. As a graduate, you’ll be able to pursue a profession aligned to your passion, exploring emerging interdisciplinary areas where scientific expertise is increasingly in demand.
You might study and manage wildlife populations, contributing to conservation efforts alongside government agencies. You might find employment on a livestock facility, overseeing health, welfare, management and feeding strategies. Perhaps you’ll conduct scientific studies related to animal health, physiology, biosecurity, breeding, nutrition, behaviour or biotechnology.
You could also be a:
- Animal scientist
- Animal nutritionist
- Animal health officer
- Biosecurity officer
- Livestock consultant
- Animal geneticist
- Livestock manager
- Wildlife keeper
- Quarantine officer
- Conservation scientist
- Policy adviser
- Science communicator.
Industry trends
Animals play a vital role in human wellbeing and livelihoods, making it even more essential to continue studying and protecting them.
There will be strong demand and employment growth for graduates and professionals working in animal science-related fields (Australia’s STEM Workforce, 2020). You’ll find diverse opportunities in agriculture, conservation and research sectors, with employers continually seeking skilled professionals.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
