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Applied Animal Science

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Why Study Applied Animal Science ?

Throughout history, animals have contributed to human society by providing food, materials and companionship and by performing key roles in the workplace, in recreation and in sport.

Animal science is not only a fascinating subject to study. It is also vital for improving standards of animal welfare, protecting livestock from disease epidemics and safeguarding public health from animal borne diseases.

Animal science is also central to addressing other issues of today, such the growing global demand for meat, milk and eggs and how climate change will affect the spread of animal diseases. With current concerns about greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, knowledge of animal science will also be critical in the drive to reduce the environmental impact and improve the sustainability of livestock production systems.    

The Applied Animal Science course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for a career in animal science, where employment opportunities continue to be excellent.

A course leaflet can be downloaded from the right of this page.

About The Course

On the Applied Animal Science course, students develop their understanding of animals, their functioning, growth, productivity and behaviour, and how their health and welfare can be protected by disease control measures. Studies particularly relate to farm livestock species, as well as economically important companion animals such as horses.

Laboratory classes develop practical and experimental skills to complement the theoretical aspects of the course, and students also have the opportunity to undertake individual research projects in topics of their choice.

Great emphasis is placed on visits to farms and animal science research institutes to show the relevance and applications of the topics studied. In addition to its own strong research base in animal science, health, welfare and behaviour, SAC has close links with other research organisations as well as with commercial land-based industries.

The course normally comprises three years of full-time study for BSc Applied Animal Science and four years for BSc (Hons) Applied Science.

In the second year of HND Applied Bioscience, students follow the animal science stream, which articulates with the third year of the Applied Animal Science degree.

Awards Available

Click on a course title for further details

BSc/BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Science

Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 D300 Y BSc/AnSci

Study In Edinburgh: SAC SO1 D300 Z BSc/AnSci

Length Of Course

The BSc general degree takes 3 years full-time. The BSc Honours degree takes 4 years full-time. Both can be studied part-time

Validating University

This degree is awarded by the University of Glasgow.

Minimum Entry Requirements

3 Highers (BCC) or 2 A levels (CC).To include: Biology or chemistry. English and Mathematics required at Standard Grade/GCSE pass level or equivalent.

Progression Routes

Applicants with an appropriate HNC or HND are encouraged to apply for entry to years 2 or 3 of the course.

HND Applied Bioscience

Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 527D Y HND/ApB

Length Of Course

The HND takes 2 years full-time, or can be studied part-time.

Minimum Entry Requirements

2 Highers (CC) or 1 A Level pass.  To Include: Biology or Chemistry.  English and Mathematics are required at Standard Grade/GCSE pass level or equivalent.  Applications with the SWAP Access to Science qualification are encouraged to apply.

Progression Routes

Applicants with a HND Applied Bioscience are encouraged to apply for entry into Year 3 of the BSc/BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience, BSc/BSc (Hons) Agricultural Science or BSc/BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Science course.

Course Content

Further information is available in SAC's undergraduate prospectus, and in our course leaflet which can be downloaded from this page. Please contact us for further information.

 

The first year of the course introduces the growth, development, physiology, health and breeding of animals, while developing practical and laboratory skills and providing a foundation in the biological and associated sciences.

 

Second and subsequent years of the course explore these animal science subjects in greater depth, together with studies in nutrition and feed technology; reproduction, genetics and gene function; animal welfare and animal behaviour; immunology; disease control and diagnostics. Students also learn about livestock production systems and consider the wider role of animals in society. 

 

Practical classes provide training in laboratory skills and the latest experimental techniques. Throughout the course students develop their core skills of numeracy, problem-solving, communication and working as a team.

 

A key element of the fourth year is the Honours Project where students carry out an individual investigation in a topic of their choice.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are expected to gain employment in areas such as:

  • Animal welfare and behaviour
  • Animal health
  • Veterinary research
  • Pharmaceutical industries
  • Animal feed industries
  • Livestock breeding
  • Wildlife conservation
  • Consultancy
  • Education

 

Course Contacts

Ayr Course Contact

Mrs Chris Leggate
Programme Leader
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, Riverside Campus, University Avenue,
Ayr
KA8 0SX
TelWork 01292 886172
Fax 01292 886199

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Ayr Campus General Contact

Mrs Jill Thomson
Student Recruitment Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Ayr, Riverside Campus, University Avenue,
Ayr
KA8 0SX
TelWork 01292 886196

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Edinburgh Course Contact

Dr Tom McEvoy
Senior Research Scientist
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work Sir Stephen Watson Building, Bush Estate,
Penicuik
EH26 0PH
TelWork 0131 535 3043
Fax 0131 535 3121

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Edinburgh Campus General Contact

Miss Claire Morrison
Student Recruitment Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work King's Buildings, West Mains Road
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4391

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Student Experiences

Kerry Connor

During time as an SAC student, Kerry extended her practical experience by working on farms and shadowing veterinary practitioners. During her Honours year, she carried out a research project into the commercial viability of early lambing with an SAC vet as her supervisor.

After graduating, Kerry was first employed as an Animal Health and Welfare Inspector in Northern Ireland. Here, she spent two years working on farms to perform a variety of duties, including testing for brucellosis and helping to implement the N.I. Scrapie Plan. She then returned to Scotland to work as an Animal Health Officer with Defra.

“My time at SAC provided me with relevant academic and practical experience which I use on a day to day basis in my current work. The range of subjects studied, along with SAC’s close links with the farming industry, provided me with a great base on which to build for my work as an Animal Health Officer”.

Mhairi Jack

When Mhairi Jack graduated from SAC, she was awarded the prize for the best Animal Science Honours student. Since then she has had an interesting and varied research career with SAC.

As a student, Mhairi was particularly interested in animal welfare issues and in her final year she carried out a research project into the spacing requirements of laying hens. After graduating, she was first employed as a poultry research assistant at the SAC’s Avian Science Research Centre at Ayr.  She then moved to the Ayr Disease Surveillance Centre, where she was investigating the welfare problem of lameness for a project seeking to determine the best practice for footbathing dairy cows.

Mhairi is now working in the Animal Welfare section at SAC’s Bush Estate. Here, she initially she worked on a project investigating the welfare of dairy cows on organic and non-organic dairy farms, before turning her skills to an investigation of pig aggression and whether this can be reduced by breeding.

“I chose the course because it was scientifically based and also included a large practical element. The four years I spent as a student at SAC were very enjoyable. The course and its content were exactly what I had expected. The quality of education is excellent and prepares you for your life ahead, particularly the practical elements, which allow you to put the theory into practice. I found all staff to be friendly and approachable and this certainly made life a lot easier."