Undergraduate major
Animal Science
In a world with a growing population, how to meet the ever-increasing demand for wholesome and safe food production is a global issue. Learn how technology and new practices are being used to ensure humane and sustainable production as industries expand.
What type of student are you?
Murdoch code
MJ-ANSStudy mode
Part Time or Full TimeSelection rank
70CRICOS code
See CourseAustralia’s only on-campus farm
Gain the advantage of hands-on experience in soil science, crop science and pasture science in our South Street campus farm.Eight weeks of industry placements
Undertake industry placements in farms and agriculture research programs across WA.Apply to start
You can apply to start studying at the following times.
Available
Not Available
| Internal | External | |
|---|---|---|
| Murdoch | Semester 1 | Semester 1 |
| Semester 2 | Semester 2 |
Overview
The need to feed a growing Australian and global population means food production systems must become more efficient to meet demand.
Learn how technology and sustainable practices are being used to meet this increasing demand, while still ensuring the production of wholesome and safe food products. With an in-depth focus on developments in animal management, disease control, improved welfare and new molecular technologies, you’ll get a comprehensive understanding of animal production systems in a range of industries.
You’ll also explore how new DNA technologies are transforming our traditional food and fibre production systems, and the ways that these advances are moving from research to industry practice.
You can combine this course with other majors to expand your career prospects even further. Adding a Crop and Pasture Science major will expand your knowledge in the fields of animal production and crops and pastures, creating a well-rounded agriculture degree.
If you’d like to study Animal Science as a pathway to apply to study Veterinary Science, we recommend studying a double major which combines this course with Animal Health.
4 reasons to study Animal Science at Murdoch
- Five-star rating for skills development for Veterinary Science.*
*Source: Good Universities Guide 2021 - Learn on the only city-based university farm in Australia. Murdoch’s on-campus farm is an animal production property, meaning practical classes are held on campus.
- Complete a total of seven weeks industry experience throughout the course across three or more industries, so you’ll graduate confidence for the work place.
- Tour WA’s South Western Region for a week during your third year, learning about WA’s agricultural industry.
What you’ll learn
Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn:
- livestock science and genetics
- veterinary nutrition and animal toxicology
- comparative mammalian biochemistry
- animal structure and function
- animal production systems.
Your future career
A major in Animal Science will give you opportunities to pursue a career in a wide range of fields, including agriculture, food production industries and research.
Careers could include:
- Farm Business Manager
- Research Advisor/Extension
- Research Scientist
- Technical Advisor
- Agribusiness Consultant.
You could work in the private sector in agricultural consultancy, in government agencies, non-government organisations, or research and development institutions to help create safe and efficient animal production systems across the globe.
For further admission information about this course, please download our Information Pack.
Study areas
Courses with this major
Apply to start
You can apply to start studying at the following times.
Available
Not Available
| Internal | External | |
|---|---|---|
| Murdoch | Semester 1 | Semester 1 |
| Semester 2 | Semester 2 |
Structure
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|
Entry requirements
I have completed studies in
Select which option best describes your path to university :
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum english requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Enabling courses | Successful completion of one of the following within 12 months of bachelor course commencement:
|
Successful completion of the course. |
| Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses | Successful completion of one of the following:
|
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
| University study | Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). |
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). |
| Enabling courses |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementSuccessful completion of one of the following within 12 months of bachelor course commencement:
|
Minimum english requirementSuccessful completion of the course.
|
| Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementSuccessful completion of one of the following:
|
Minimum english requirementSuccessful completion of one of the following:
|
| University study |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementSuccessful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
|
Minimum english requirementSuccessful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
|
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum english requirement |
|---|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma | Total score of 24 or higher. |
Higher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). |
| Overseas Year 12 | Please refer to the information under the country of study. |
Please refer to the information under the country of study. |
| Portfolio entry | A successful portfolio application that demonstrates relevant aptitude and ability in a related learning area. Find out more about the Portfolio Entry Pathway. |
|
| Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) | Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower. |
Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
|
| Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC) | 70 |
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only). |
| Extenuating circumstances | We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more. |
Case-by-case assessment. |
| Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP) | CPS 54 or higher. |
50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS). |
| GCE A Levels | Minimum of 6 points taken from the best 2 or 3 subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 (AS Levels are equivalent to half points e.g. A=2.5, B=2 etc.) or higher. |
A Levels: D in one of the following:
AS Level: C in one of the following:
|
| VET course studied at school | Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher. |
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementTotal score of 24 or higher.
|
Minimum english requirementHigher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). |
| Overseas Year 12 |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementPlease refer to the information under the country of study.
|
Minimum english requirementPlease refer to the information under the country of study.
|
| Portfolio entry |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementA successful portfolio application that demonstrates relevant aptitude and ability in a related learning area. Find out more about the Portfolio Entry Pathway. |
| Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementOverall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
|
Minimum english requirementSound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
|
| Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirement70
|
Minimum english requirementScaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only). |
| Extenuating circumstances |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementWe'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more. |
Minimum english requirementCase-by-case assessment.
|
| Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementCPS 54 or higher.
|
Minimum english requirement50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
|
| GCE A Levels |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementMinimum of 6 points taken from the best 2 or 3 subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 (AS Levels are equivalent to half points e.g. A=2.5, B=2 etc.) or higher.
|
Minimum english requirementA Levels: D in one of the following:
AS Level: C in one of the following:
|
| VET course studied at school |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementSuccessful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
|
Minimum english requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. |
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum english requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5–6 | Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. |
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. |
| Certificate IV AQF level 4 | Successful completion of a Certificate IV. |
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). |
| Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5–6 |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementSuccessful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
|
Minimum english requirementSuccessful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
|
| Certificate IV AQF level 4 |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementSuccessful completion of a Certificate IV.
|
Minimum english requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). |
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum english requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Mature Age Pathway (MAP) | MAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information. |
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc. |
| Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) | Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). |
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). |
| Portfolio entry | A successful portfolio application that demonstrates relevant aptitude and ability in a related learning area. Find out more about the Portfolio Entry Pathway. |
| Mature Age Pathway (MAP) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementMAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information. |
Minimum english requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc. |
| Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementMultiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
|
Minimum english requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). |
| Portfolio entry |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementA successful portfolio application that demonstrates relevant aptitude and ability in a related learning area. Find out more about the Portfolio Entry Pathway. |
As per normal undergraduate admission requirements. There are no prerequisites for admission but it is highly desirable for students to have undertaken WACE Chemistry 3A/3B and Mathematics 2C/2D.
English Requirements
You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which can be demonstrated through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Advanced Standing
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
Adjustment for Murdoch RISE
Murdoch RISE is a selection rank adjustment, as part of our commitment to helping students from regional, Indigenous and low socio-economic backgrounds gain university entry.
If you achieve an ATAR of 60.00 - 89.95, a Murdoch RISE adjustment factor of up to 10.00 points may help you get into your preferred course. Murdoch RISE can increase your selection rank up to a maximum of 90.00.
There’s no application or need to register. If you are eligible, the adjustment factor is automatically added to your raw ATAR score when you apply.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai, Singapore and Myanmar campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Advanced Standing
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai, Singapore and Myanmar campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Fees and scholarships
How much will it cost?
Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.
Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.
If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.
Scholarships
Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship.
Whether you’re a high achiever or have experienced hardship, we offer a wide range of scholarships and awards to students from all walks of life. Explore our scholarships to find the ones you could be eligible for as a new Murdoch student as well as what's available throughout your degree.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai, Singapore and Myanmar campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
How much will it cost?
Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.
International students are full fee paying. Use our Fee Calculator to estimate the cost of your course.
Scholarships
Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship. Our International Welcome Scholarship offers eligible students between $8,000 and $11,000, depending on the course you study.
The Australian Government also offers scholarships to students from developing countries through the Australia Awards Scholarship program.
Explore our scholarships and find out if you’re eligible to apply.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai, Singapore and Myanmar campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
How to apply
I want to start studying in
No Admissions
To start studying in Semester 1 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can begin your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
To start studying in Semester 1 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can begin your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
To start studying in Semester 2 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can begin your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
To start studying in Semester 2 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can begin your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
To start studying in Trimester 1 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can being your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
To start studying in Trimester 1 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can begin your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
To start studying in Trimester 2 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can begin your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
To start studying in Trimester 2 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can begin your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
To start studying in Trimester 3 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can begin your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
To start studying in Trimester 3 you can apply direct to Murdoch online.
Check the apply to start dates to see when you can begin your degree, then follow the four step application process. Remember to check the document checklist for what to include when applying.
Your Document Checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have some or all of the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Your Document Checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have some or all of the following documentation ready for a quick application.