Animal Science Minors

A minor is an integrated, coherent group of courses (24 to 30 quarter units in most cases), which gives students knowledge in an area that lies outside of their major field of study. Please see Programs A-Z for a list of all minors at Cal Poly.

Minors must be completed prior to, or at the same time as, the requirements for your bachelor's degree. Students may not extend their graduation date to complete a minor. A major and a minor may not be taken in the same degree program (major), and a minor is not required for a degree.

Students who wish to earn a minor should contact the department offering the academic minor as early as possible and fill out the appropriate agreement form (see below). The completion of the minor is noted on the student's transcript but is not shown on a student’s diploma.

Click here to review Cal Poly’s policies on Academic Minors.

Equine Science

The Equine Science minor is designed for students interested in developing a knowledge of, and competency in, the areas of equine training, nutrition and reproduction. The equine science minor is not open to ASCI students. This science-based program exposes students to various aspects of the horse industry, including equine management, training, and breeding farm management. By completing this minor, students gain an understanding of the principles and practices used within the equine industry.  Read more about Equine Science.

Equine Science Course Requirements

Equine Science Declaration Form 

Minor Advisor:

• Dr. Matthew Burd, M.S., D.V.M
• mburd@calpoly.edu
• 10-112

 

Poultry Management 

The Poultry Management minor prepares students for a wide variety of positions in the commercial poultry industry and in many allied services related directly to the industry. Career opportunities are many and varied. The poultry science minor is not open to ASCI students.

Students have an opportunity to conduct enterprise projects in the production of market eggs, hatching eggs, meat birds, replacement pullets, turkey, and game birds, which give them valuable experience in production techniques as well as exposure to a number of business activities related to production. Advanced students may have opportunities to study special topics related to problems in management of commercial poultry flocks.

The program is supported by a state-of-the-art poultry production facility. Cal Poly's Poultry Unit is considered one of the best in the Western United States; it accommodates a commercial laying hen operation, egg processing facility, hatching, meat processing facility, and battery and floor pen research facilities. These production facilities allow students to gain hands-on learning which complements their formal class work and provides experience in commercial poultry industry practices. Read more about Poultry Management.

Poultry Management Course Requirements

Poultry Management Minor Declaration Form

Minor Advisor:

• Dr. Darin Bennett, Ph.D. 
• dbenne06@calpoly.edu
• 10-136

 

Meat Science and Processing

The minor incorporates knowledge of general food science, basic meat science and the principles and practices of adding value to raw materials through livestock harvesting, carcass fabrication and the manufacture of further processed meat and poultry products. Opportunities for business and management training are available. The minor meets the requirements needed to become eligible for jobs with the government or commercial meat processing firms and other businesses associated with the production of food products containing meat or poultry. In addition to the required courses, selected courses address basic principles of microbiology, food science, food sanitation and safety, food chemistry and process control procedures, and other optional courses are offered in agribusiness. Not open to Animal Science majors. Read more on Meat Science & Processing.

Meat Science Course Requirements

Meat Science and Processing Minor Declaration Form 

Minor Advisor:

• Dr. Ike Kang, Ph.D.
• ikang01@calpoly.edu
• 10-132

 

Rangeland Resources

The Rangeland Resource Management program offers students the opportunity to develop skills in applying science to the assessment, planning, and management of lands used for pasture, recreation, wildlife habitat, and maintenance of “environmental services” (i.e. providing clean water, air, healthy vegetation and productive soil). Not open to Animal Science majors. Read more about Rangeland Resources.

Rangeland Resources Course Requirements

Rangeland Resources Minor Declaration Form 

Minor Advisor:

• Dr. Marc R. Horney, Ph.D., CRM
• mhorney@calpoly.edu
• 10-101B

 

Dairy Industries 

The purpose of this science-based minor is to help students from other disciplines gain a basic understanding of the terminology and practices used within the two segments of the dairy industry. Two specialization areas are available within the Dairy Industries minor: Dairy Husbandry and Dairy Foods.  Students may choose to pursue either specialization. After completion of the minor, students should have a basic understanding of cattle, dairy nutrition, milk production and management or dairy food processing, food quality and regulatory control.  Prospective students should understand that completion of a basic level of introductory biology, chemistry, and statistics is assumed for this minor.  In addition, some upper division courses may also require microbiology, organic/biochemistry and/or anatomy and physiology. Not open to Dairy Science majors. Read more about the Dairy Science Program.

Dairy Industries Course Requirements

Dairy Industries Minor Declaration Form 

Minor Advisor:

• Dr. Vincent Yeung, Ph.D.
• ckyeung@calpoly.edu
• 10-133

 

For more information, contact the Animal Science Office at animalscience@calpoly.edu or (805) 756-2419.