Animal Health and Disease Major (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) (24 credits)
Offered by: Animal Science (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Program credit weight: 24
Program Description
This specialization is offered for students wishing to understand general animal physiology and function; the susceptibility of animals to various diseases; methods for limiting and controlling potential outbreaks; and the resulting implications for the animal, the consumer and the environment. It is an ideal choice for students interested in the care of animals, or in working in laboratories where diseases are being researched.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Required Courses (18 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANSC 312 | Animal Health and Disease. | 3 |
Animal Health and Disease. Terms offered: Winter 2026 An introduction to the pathogenesis and control of diseases in farm animals. Immune response and other protective mechanisms. Implications of animal diseases and drug therapy for product safety and public health. | ||
| ANSC 323 | Mammalian Physiology. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed. | ||
| ANSC 350 | Food-Borne Pathogens. | 3 |
Food-Borne Pathogens. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Exploration of the taxonomy, characteristics, epidemiology, mechanisms of pathogenicity, disease, incidence, and factors affecting the survival and growth of pathogenic microorganisms in foods of animal origin; principles of detection, prevention and control of food-borne pathogens (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, viruses). | ||
| ANSC 424 | Metabolic Endocrinology. | 3 |
Metabolic Endocrinology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A detailed study of the endocrine system and its role in the maintenance of homeostasis in higher vertebrates, including the endocrine regulation of energy balance. | ||
| MICR 341 | Mechanisms of Pathogenicity. | 3 |
Mechanisms of Pathogenicity. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the means by which bacteria cause disease in animals and humans. Includes response of host to invading bacteria, bacterial attachment and penetration processes, and modes of actions of exotoxins and endotoxins. | ||
| PARA 424 | Fundamental Parasitology. | 3 |
Fundamental Parasitology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species. | ||
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
6 credits of complementary courses selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANSC 234 | Biochemistry 2. | 3 |
Biochemistry 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion. | ||
| ANSC 251 | Comparative Anatomy. | 3 |
Comparative Anatomy. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of the macroscopic anatomy of mammals based on detailed dissection of the dog. Comparison with other domestic species will be emphasized. | ||
| ANSC 303 | Farm Animal Internship | 3 |
Farm Animal Internship Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Internship in farm animal production, including day-to-day activities of production, reproduction and health management, and exposure to major livestock species such as dairy cows, poultry, swine. The internship includes supervised- independent farm management activities and training by experienced livestock technicians. | ||
| ANSC 324 | Developmental Biology and Reproduction. | 3 |
Developmental Biology and Reproduction. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Focus on the hormonal, cellular and molecular aspects of reproduction and development (gametogenesis, folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryonic and foetal development, parturition, lactation period, periods before and after puberty). Emphasis on underlying cellular mechanisms and their regulation by hormones and the environment. | ||
| ANSC 433 | Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. | 3 |
Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Introduction to fundamental aspects of animal nutrition, including gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism; nutrient functions and requirements of livestock species; evaluation of feedstuffs and their use in ration formulation; and feeding strategies. Laboratory classes will include hands-on experience on feed analyses, gastrointestinal tract dissections, nutritional experiments and demonstrations in livestock species as well as computer-based ration balancing exercises. | ||
| ANSC 555 | The Use and Welfare of Animals. | 3 |
The Use and Welfare of Animals. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Understanding the roles in which animals are used by Society, especially in food production, companionship, research, and recreation; application of the scientific approaches that are used in assessing and improving animal welfare; and use of ethical approaches that are invoked in the use of animals, often in controversial contexts. An interdisciplinary course, based on active participation and discussion-method learning. | ||