Bachelor of Animal Science (Animal Genetics and Breeding) Massey University

What is it like?

The Bachelor of Animal Science (Animal Genetics and Breeding) is ideal for you if you have an interest in genetics in relation to animals and how effective breeding strategies can both improve animal health and be more effective for farming and agriculture.

What will I learn?

New Zealand has a large pasture-based farming industry and continuously strives to produce animals with improved meat, milk, leather and fibre and related products. You will learn about reproductive physiology and reproductive technologies for the purpose of ensuring effective animal multiplication, which can, in turn, improve New Zealand’s export earnings.

Improve animal performance

Through your study you will gain an understanding of breeding and genetics to help improve the performance of animals. This could be production animals (like cows and sheep) and sport animals (for example horses).

Learn about genetic and reproduction strategies

You will learn how to set up a genetic improvement programme based on breeding goals and how to collect the relevant information, analyse it and make decisions to attain those goals. You will learn about reproductive technologies and how to factor these into animal breeding programmes.

A unique degree

Massey University’s Bachelor of Animal Science (BAnSci) is the only degree in New Zealand that focuses entirely on animal science and is ideal if you are interested in a career that combines your love of science and animals.

Internationally-relevant

This degree has a distinct New Zealand flavour and is equivalent to established international animal science programmes. This allows you to study part of your programme overseas.

Research-led learning

Massey has a number of internationally recognised animal-based research centres relevant to genetics and breeding including: AL Rae Genetics Centre, Parentage Genetic Services Centre, Equine Research Centre, International Sheep Research Centre. These centres are used to enhance the learning experience throughout the degree.

Careers

The BAniSc (Animal Genetics and Breeding) gives you the skills to go into a variety of interesting careers. You will gain the knowledge, attributes and insights into new technologies and processes, that are relevant for careers of the future.

Whether you are interested in working on small companies or farms, or for a large multinational, this degree will be you the technical, advocacy and management skills that are required. Possible careers include:

• Reproductive management of animals
• Livestock genetics companies
• Corporate ram and bull breeding units
• Developing country genetic improvement programmes
• On-farm animal technician
• Animal-related consultancy

Structure

Students must complete a minimum of 360 credits including 195 credits from the core courses in Schedule A and 120 credits of specialisation courses from Schedule B. No more than 150 credits at 100-level and a minimum of 90 credits at 300-level.