The BSc programme Animal Sciences is an international academic programme in applied animal biology. The programme is directed to all types of domesticated animals such as livestock (farm animals, mainly cattle, pigs and poultry), fish (including fisheries), companion animals (horses, dogs and cats) and zoo-animals, in any function for human use and well-being. Examples of such functions are food production, companionship, sports, processing of waste, nature conservation and educational and recreational purposes. The programme is disciplinary oriented and focuses on aspects such as animal health and welfare, genetics, nutrition, environmental and animal ethics issues. Students are particularly trained to become aware of the need for multidisciplinary approaches in animal sciences. All education is in English. \n\nThe objective of the programme is to educate academic professionals who are able to explore sustainable development options for complex, society driven problems of a wide range of animal husbandry systems. Development of such systems is constrained by technical factors (such as feed supply, animal health, level of management or genetic diversity) and by infra-structural, ecological and socio-economic factors. E.g. animal-human interactions become increasingly important in high-income developed countries, whereas food security in terms of animal protein is still key issue in developing countries worldwide. \n\nAnimal health and welfare play a key role in this field, focusing on the effects of the environment (housing, nutrition and management) on physiological (e.g. the immunological status) and behavioural responses of an individual or groups of animals. Animal breeding plays an integral role in ensuring genetic (bio)diversity and disease resistance, by means of quantitative, biological and molecular techniques. \n\nAll of these aspects are covered in two specialisations. The specialisation Animal Management and Care has a focus on how to manage the animals we care for in terms of reproduction, nutrition, housing and the impact the (human) environment has on animal behaviour, growth and well-being. The focus lies on the animal in its environment and society. The specialisation Biological Functioning of Animals has a more physiological focus. In this specialisation you need sophisticated molecular techniques to unravel the why and how of physiological responses. Students complete their specialisation with a BSc thesis, a short research project that aims to integrate all (disciplinary) knowledge and skills of the previous years. \n\nIn the third year of the BSc programme there is an option to study one semester abroad by going on Erasmus exchange at partner universities all over the world. Students could also take part in the Broaden your Horizon