Agriculture Department
Academic Affairs
- Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2009.
- Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120 to 124.
- Required credits within the major: 69.
- This program requires summer terms.
- Degree: Bachelor of Science.
Graduates of UMC's equine science program understand and are able to meet the daily care, nutrition, health care, and exercise/training needs of horses in their care. They have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in equine or equine-related employment and have the business and management experience necessary to operate an equine or related business. The program balances the practical skills students need to work with and care for horses and the theory required to build a successful career. The focus is on the business and management aspects of the horse industry, thus providing a broad-based education which appeals to employers. Options also exist for students who wish to pursue graduate school or pre-veterinary studies.
Program outcomes: graduates will
- demonstrate knowledge of theory and practical experience in physiology, nutrition, health, and reproduction of the horse;
- demonstrate a working knowledge of equine ownership responsibility and husbandry;
- be able to apply management theories and software and marketing strategies to equine and related enterprises;
- demonstrate horsemanship and training skills in a variety of disciplines and discern what methods work most effectively with horses of different temperaments and breeding/conformation;
- have practical skills and knowledge that will lead to a variety of employment opportunities in the equine industry.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions Web site.
All students are required to complete general University and college requirements. For more information, see the graduation requirements.
Students must complete 40 upper division credits.
Liberal Education Requirements
A minimum of 40 liberal education credits required. Students must complete the 10 goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum with the following specific liberal education courses required:
BIOL 1009 - General Biology, BIOL SCI, PEOPLE/ENV (4.0 cr)
COMP 1011 - Composition I, COMMUNICAT (3.0 cr)
COMP 1013 - Composition II, COMMUNICAT (3.0 cr)
ECON 2101 - Microeconomics, HI/BEH/SSC (3.0 cr)
MATH 1150 - Elementary Statistics, MATH THINK (3.0 cr)
SPCH 1101 - Public Speaking, COMMUNICAT (3.0 cr)
Technology Requirement (3 cr)
CA 1010 - Introduction to Computer Technology (1.0 cr)
Take 2 or more credit(s) from the following:
· CA 1xxx
Equine Science Core Requirements
In addition to the courses below, students must take 3 credits of agricultural electives, selected in consultation with an adviser.
ANSC 1004 - Introduction to Animal Science (4.0 cr)
ANSC 2104 - Feeds and Feeding (4.0 cr)
ANSC 3023 - Animal Breeding (3.0 cr)
ANSC 3104 - Applied Animal Nutrition (4.0 cr)
ANSC 3203 - Animal Anatomy and Physiology (3.0 cr)
ANSC 3304 - Reproduction, AI, and Lactation (4.0 cr)
ANSC 3503 - Animal Health and Disease (3.0 cr)
BIOL 3022 - Principles of Genetics, LIB ED ELC (3.0 cr)
EQSC 1202 - Equine Evaluation (2.0 cr)
EQSC 2102 - Horse Production (4.0 cr)
EQSC 3403 - Equine Exercise Physiology (3.0 cr)
EQSC 4102 - Equine Management (3.0 cr)
GBUS 3107 - Legal Environment in Business (3.0 cr)
GNAG 4652 - Senior Seminar (1.0 cr)
GNAG 2899 - Pre-Internship Seminar (0.5 cr)
or GNAG 3899 - Pre-Internship Seminar (0.5 cr)
GNAG 3900 - Internship (1.0-4.0 cr)
GNAG 3901 - Post Internship Seminar (0.5 cr)
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
This emphasis leads graduates to equine careers including management, training/showing, riding instruction, breeding/reproduction, feed production/sales, sales of equestrian equipment or pharmaceutical/health care products, and veterinary technician. Students receive classroom instruction and hands-on experiential learning. Focus is on the business/management aspect of the horse industry. Curriculum includes computer, communications training and sales training. Coursework includes riding instruction, nutrition, breeding, reproduction, horse production, evaluation, feeds, health/disease, management, training/showing, and facilities. Students can take courses specific to their interest.
Equine Science Emphasis Courses
AGEC 3540 - Farm Business Management (4.0 cr)
AGEC 4750 - Agribusiness Marketing (3.0 cr)
CHEM 1401 - Elementary Bioorganic Chemistry, PHYS SCI, PEOPLE/ENV (4.0 cr)
EQSC 3305 - Equine Reproductive Techniques (3.0 cr)
EQSC 3413 - Horse Training and Showing (3.0 cr)
MATH 1031 - College Algebra, MATH THINK (3.0 cr)
CHEM 1001 - Introductory Chemistry, PHYS SCI (4.0 cr)
or CHEM 1021 - Chemical Principles I, PHYS SCI, PEOPLE/ENV (4.0 cr)
Equine Science Electives
Take 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
· EQSC 1000 - Light Horse Driving (2.0 cr)
· EQSC 1100 - Western Equitation (3.0 cr)
· EQSC 1200 - Hunt Seat & Dressage Equitation (3.0 cr)
· EQSC 1300 - Saddle Seat Equitation (3.0 cr)
· EQSC 2001 - Concepts in Dressage Equitation (3.0 cr)
· EQSC 3441 - Topics in Advanced Western Equitation (3.0 cr)
· EQSC 3443 - Topics in Advanced Equitation Over Fences (3.0 cr)
The pre-veterinary medicine emphasis meets the course entry requirements for admission to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine; however, similar entry requirements among colleges of veterinary medicine coupled with sufficient flexibility within the curriculum allow graduates to meet the admission requirements for many other institutions. Students who graduate are well prepared to pursue their career goal of becoming a veterinarian. Students are exposed to traditional classroom instruction as well as hands-on/experiential learning in the laboratory.
Pre-Veterinary Emphasis Requirements
BIOL 2012 - General Zoology, LIB ED ELC (4.0 cr)
BIOL 2032 - General Microbiology, LIB ED ELC (4.0 cr)
CHEM 1021 - Chemical Principles I, PHYS SCI, PEOPLE/ENV (4.0 cr)
CHEM 1022 - Chemical Principles II, LIB ED ELC (4.0 cr)
CHEM 2301 - Organic Chemistry I, LIB ED ELC (3.0 cr)
CHEM 2310 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I, LIB ED ELC (2.0 cr)
CHEM 3021 - Biochemistry, LIB ED ELC (3.0 cr)
PHYS 1101 - Introductory College Physics I, PHYS SCI (4.0 cr)
PHYS 1102 - Introductory College Physics II, PHYS SCI (4.0 cr)
MATH 1031 - College Algebra, MATH THINK (3.0 cr)
or MATH 1142 - Survey of Calculus, MATH THINK (3.0 cr)
Pre-Veterinary Electives
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· EQSC 1000 - Light Horse Driving (2.0 cr)
· EQSC 1100 - Western Equitation (3.0 cr)
· EQSC 1200 - Hunt Seat & Dressage Equitation (3.0 cr)
· EQSC 1300 - Saddle Seat Equitation (3.0 cr)
· EQSC 3441 - Topics in Advanced Western Equitation (3.0 cr)
· EQSC 3443 - Topics in Advanced Equitation Over Fences (3.0 cr)
Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
Academic Affairs
- Minor Related to a Major
- Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2010.
- Required credits in this minor: 27 to 28.
The minor in equine science introduces students to the pertinent areas of management and production of the equine industry. Students learn core concepts of the equine industry, including training in reproduction, exercise physiology, nutrition, management of equine facilities, and rider instructor training.
Minor Requirements | view sample plan
Required Courses
ANSC 2104 - Feeds and Feeding (4.0 cr)
ANSC 3203 - Animal Anatomy and Physiology (3.0 cr)
ANSC 3503 - Animal Health and Disease (3.0 cr)
EQSC 1202 - Equine Evaluation (2.0 cr)
EQSC 2102 - Horse Production (4.0 cr)
EQSC 3305 - Equine Reproductive Techniques (3.0 cr)
EQSC 3403 - Equine Exercise Physiology (3.0 cr)
EQSC 4102 - Equine Management (3.0 cr)
Take one of the following courses:
EQSC 1000 - Light Horse Driving (2.0 cr)
or EQSC 1100 - Western Equitation (3.0 cr)
or EQSC 1200 - Hunt Seat & Dressage Equitation (3.0 cr)
or EQSC 1300 - Saddle Seat Equitation (3.0 cr)
