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Animal Systems (BSc)

The Animal Systems program gives students a strong understanding of small and large animal health, including genetics, anatomy, physiology, nutrition and reproduction. The program covers both domestic species as well as non-traditional species.

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Faculty

• Faculty of Agricultural & Food Sciences
Degree

• Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) – Animal Systems
Expected duration

• 4 years

Study with us

Apply your knowledge

Explore a sector of the agri-food industry through a paid work placement that earns you academic credit towards your degree. While participating in our Co-op Program students engage throughout the placement in an online self-directed course that provides them with ongoing evaluation from their workplace.

Learn from the best

Animal science professors offer instruction in the fields of animal health, genetics, nutrition, and physiology related to livestock and poultry. There is a strong emphasis on sustainable agricultural systems and the use of mathematical models to describe these systems.

Build your network

The Pre-Vet Club helps students who are interested in pursuing a career or learning more about veterinary medicine through presentations by guest speakers from local clinics, zoos, government and industry, as well as students currently attending vet school. The club also assists students in finding volunteer placements in local clinics as well as community groups, and preparing for the application and interview process. Learn more about the Pre-Veterinary Medicine studies option.

Nationally recognized careers

Agrologists are professionals who have studied the sciences and provide decision makers with advice to help feed the world, boost the economy, and protect the environment.

Agrologists Manitoba regulates the practice of agrology in Manitoba and registers practitioners to ensure safe, competent practice of Agrology. Graduates of the B.Sc. (Agribusiness) degree meet the entry-to-practice education requirement and are eligible to become Professional Agrologists (P.Ag.).

Where it can take you

The B.Sc. (Agriculture) in Animal Systems prepares graduates for a wide variety of fields:

Animal nutrition
Environmental conservation
Agricultural policy
Pharmaceutical sector
Animal Health and Welfare
Sales and marketing
Livestock production extension branch
Food product development
Food safety / quality control
Livestock commodity groups
Animal genetics research
Animal health research

A student stands in an enclosure with a small group of cows standing beside her.

A group of students are standing in front of several horses in stalls.

Three people work with dairy calves in a barn.

Program details

Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) – Animal Systems

Expected duration: 4 years

Students must complete 120 credits hours of degree core, restrictive electives and free elective courses.

The Animal Systems program will provide an integrated and comprehensive study of the factors and processes associated with the science of animal production. The program will be based on a strong foundation in the scientific disciplines underlying growth and reproduction in animals and how they respond to a range of environmental systems and constraints.

Cooperative education program

Animal Systems students have the option to earn credits through the Cooperative Education Program, connecting classroom learning with valuable work experience.

Cooperative Education Program

Professional designation eligibility

Agrologists Manitoba (Manitoba Institute of Agrologists)

Graduates of the BSc (Agriculture), BSc (Agribusiness) and BSc (Agroecology) degrees meet the entry to practice education requirement and are eligible to become Professional Agrologists (PAg).

Agrologists are regulated professionals who have highly specialized knowledge about agriculture and food production and natural resource management. They provide decision makers with advice to help feed the world, boost the economy, and protect the environment.

Graduates from the Faculty’s professional programs who are working and practicing agrology in Manitoba require registration with and a licence from Agrologists Manitoba. Students/prospective students should contact Agrologists Manitoba directly for more information on the practice of agrology in Manitoba.

Available minors

See below for a list of available minors in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, as well as link to all available minors offered through the University of Manitoba:

Sample course offerings

ANSC 2510: Anatomy and Physiology 1: Control Systems (3 credit hours)
ANSC 2520: Anatomy and Physiology 2: Nutrient Utilization (3 credit hours)
ANSC 3510: Feeds and Feeding (3 credit hours)
ANSC 3500: Principles of Animal Genetics (3 credit hours)
ANSC 3520: Animal Reproduction (3 credit hours)
ANSC 4410: Grassland Agriculture: Plant, Animal and Environment (3 credit hours)
ENTM 3160: Veterinary and Wildlife Entomology (3 credit hours)
ANSC 4510: Domesticated Animal Behaviour (3 credit hours)
ABIZ 2510: Introduction to Agricultural and Food Marketing (3 credit hours)
ANSC 4640: Swine Production Systems (3 credit hours)

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Course outlines are available to view on this page.

See the full Animal System program progression plan on our Degree advising page.

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) – Animal Systems degree program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Direct Entry applicants are those who have not attended a post-secondary institution or have completed fewer than 24 credit hours at a recognized university or college. Direct entry applicants require the following:
- Manitoba high school graduation including 5 full credits at the Grade 12 level in courses designated S,G, or U
- A minimum average of 70 per cent over the following courses, with no less than 60 per cent in each course:
  - English 40S
  - Applied Mathematics 40S or Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S
  - Two academic 40S courses
- Direct entry admission requirements
Advanced Entry is for applicants who have completed one year (24 credit hours) or more of studies in another faculty at the University of Manitoba or another recognized post-secondary institution.
- Advanced entry admission requirements

How to apply

Domestic student application fee: $100
International student application fee: $130

Applications to the University of Manitoba are completed online. To begin your application, select the Start or continue your application button. The online application includes several parts, and you may be required to submit transcripts, proof of English Language proficiency, and other documents.

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What are direct entry and advanced entry?

Direct entry students are current high school students or people who have already graduated from high school but who have completed fewer than 24 credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Advanced entry students are those who have already completed 24 or more credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Direct entry admission requirements

Annual application deadlines - Canadian citizens & permanent residents
Term	Type of entry	Application opens	Application deadline
Fall (September)	Direct entry	Early October	August 1
Winter (January)	Direct entry	Early May	December 1
Summer (May)	Direct entry	Early September	April 1

Annual application deadlines - International applicants
Term	Type of entry	Application opens	Application deadline
Fall (September)	Direct entry	Early October	May 1
Winter (January)	Direct entry	Early May	October 1
Summer (May)	Direct entry	Early September	February 1

Term	Type of entry	Applications open	Application deadline
Fall (September)	Advanced entry	Early November	May 1
Winter (January)	Advanced entry	Early May	October 1

Term	Application deadline
Summer (May, part-time)	February 1, 2024
Fall (September)	March 1, 2024

Program	Term	Type of entry	Applications open	Application deadline
Bachelor of Environmental Design (BEnvD)	Fall (September)	Advanced entry	Early November	April 1
Environmental Design Architecture Master Preparation Option (ED AMP)	Fall (September)	Advanced entry	Early November	January 15

Term	Applications open	Application deadline
Fall (September)	Early October	March 1
Winter (January)	Early May	October 1
Summer (May)	Early September	February 1

Term	Applications open	Application deadline
Fall (September)	Domestic: Early November International: Early November	Domestic: July 1 International: March 1
Winter (January)	Domestic: Early May International: Early March	Domestic: October 1 International: July 1
Summer (May)*	Domestic: Early November International: Early July	Domestic: March 1 International: November 1

Term	Type of entry	Applications open	Application deadline
Summer (May)	Advanced entry – Track A	Early November	April 1
Summer (May)	Advanced entry – Track B	Early April	August 1

Term	Applications open	Application deadline
Fall (September)	Domestic: Early November International: Early November	Domestic: June 1 International: March 1
Winter (January)	Domestic: Early May International: Early March	Domestic: October 1 International: July 1
Summer (May)*	Domestic: Early November International: Early July	Domestic: February 1 International: November 1

Type of applicant	Type of entry	Term	Applications open	Application deadline
First year applicants	Advanced entry	Fall (September)	Early September	December 1
Upper year applicants	Advanced entry	Fall (September)	Early November	June 30

Term	Applications open	Application deadline
Fall (September)	Domestic: Early November International: Early November	Domestic: June 1 International: March 1
Winter (January)	Domestic: Early May International: Early March	Domestic: October 1 International: July 1
Summer (May)	Domestic: Early November International: Early July	Domestic: February 1 International: November 1

University of Manitoba

Animal Systems (BSc)

Faculty

Degree

Expected duration

Study with us

Apply your knowledge

Learn from the best

Build your network

Nationally recognized careers

Where it can take you

Program details

Cooperative education program

Professional designation eligibility

Available minors

Sample course offerings

Admission requirements

How to apply

Apply now

Annual application deadlines - Canadian citizens & permanent residents

Annual application deadlines - International applicants

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