Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science Major in Evolutionary Biology

This degree is all about doing, not just sitting back and learning theory. From your very first year, you’ll move beyond the lecture theatre and start working directly with animals — learning how to handle them safely, care for them properly, read their behaviour, and apply biology and chemistry in ways that actually make sense in the real world.

As you progress through the program, subjects like nutrition, physiology, welfare and management don’t stay abstract. You’ll put them into practice while working with real animals and tackling real challenges faced by farms, laboratories, zoos and wildlife settings. It’s the kind of hands-on learning that helps everything click — and builds confidence fast.

A major strength of this program is the professional work experience built directly into your degree. You’ll complete around 200 hours of industry placement, giving you meaningful exposure to what animal science careers are really like. Students gain experience across animal production facilities, farms, livestock consultancies, laboratories, wildlife organisations, nutrition companies, research centres and companion animal care settings. By the time you graduate, you’re not just familiar with the workplace — you’re ready to contribute from day one, something employers genuinely value.

Practical training starts early, with animal handling and husbandry woven into your coursework so you can build skills and confidence right from the start. Throughout the degree, learning is designed to go beyond theory, integrating animal care, welfare and management into everyday study rather than treating them as add-ons.

You’ll also work with a wide range of species, from livestock and companion animals to wildlife and laboratory animals, both in campus-based facilities and out in the field. Supported by the strong practical teaching environment at Adelaide University and facilities including Roseworthy at The University of Adelaide, this program gives you the space, resources and real-world exposure to grow into a capable, confident animal science professional.

If you’re looking for a degree that combines solid scientific foundations with genuine hands-on experience, this program is designed to help you build skills that last well beyond graduation.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Animal Science at the University of Adelaide go on to do work that genuinely matters — improving animal health, welfare and sustainable production. This is a practical, applied degree, so when you graduate, you’re not just walking away with theory. You’re stepping into the workforce with hands-on experience that employers actually respect.

Alumni move into roles like animal scientist, animal nutritionist, animal health or biosecurity officer, and many also find careers in livestock consulting, wildlife conservation, zoos, and animal welfare organisations. It’s a broad field, and this degree keeps your options open.

What this really means for you

You’re not left to figure out careers on your own.
The University’s Careers Service supports you throughout your degree, helping you prepare for jobs, understand what employers want, and build confidence through one-on-one advice, mentoring and practical workshops. By the time you graduate, you’re ready to explain your skills and experience clearly to industry.

Real work experience is built into the degree.
You’ll complete at least 200 hours of professional placements in places like farms, production facilities, laboratories and wildlife organisations. This isn’t simulated learning — it’s real workplace experience that strengthens your CV long before graduation.

Strong industry connections open doors.
You’ll benefit from links with organisations such as PIRSA, SARDI and ZoosSA, along with opportunities like The Academy by Deloitte. These connections give you insight into industry expectations — and often, valuable professional networks.

Your qualification has long-term credibility.
The curriculum draws on internationally recognised strengths in animal and veterinary sciences, giving your degree real weight whether you plan to work in Australia or take your career overseas.

You graduate with a strong professional profile.
The degree is designed to balance scientific knowledge, practical skills and professional capabilities — the combination employers look for when hiring graduates.

Thinking about further study?

If you decide you want to keep learning, this degree gives you clear pathways forward. Many students choose to add an Honours year in Animal Science, building research skills and opening doors to advanced scientific roles or postgraduate research. From there, you could move into a Master of Philosophy or PhD, focusing on areas like animal health, welfare, genetics or sustainability — all key research strengths within the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

If your interests lean more toward professional or applied animal work, there are also postgraduate options in veterinary bioscience and related fields, all building on the strong scientific foundation you’ve already developed.

In short, this degree doesn’t just teach you about animals — it prepares you to work with them, advocate for them, and build a career that makes a real difference.