Animal Science is described as "studying the
biology of
animals that are under the control of humankind". Historically, the degree was called
animal husbandry and the animals studied were
livestock species, like
cattle,
sheep,
pigs,
poultry, and
horses. Today, courses available now look at a far broader area to include companion animals like
dogs and
cats, and many exotic species. Degrees in Animal Science are offered at a number of colleges and universities. In the United States, the universities offering such a program were Land Grant Universities and include
University of Nebraska–Lincoln,
Cornell University, UC Davis,
Michigan State University,
Purdue University,
The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, Iowa State University and the
University of Minnesota. Typically, the Animal Science curriculum not only provides a strong science background, but also hands-on experience working with animals on campus-based farms.