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Statewide Program of Study: Animal Science — Page 1�

Revised–May 2024

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster

The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) career cluster focuses on the essential elements of life, food, water, land, and air. This career cluster includes occupations ranging from farmer, rancher, and veterinarian to geologist, land conservationist, and florist.

Statewide Program of Study: Animal Science

The Animal Science program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with the science, research, and business of animals and other living organisms. This program of study includes applying biology and life science to real-world life processes of animals and wildlife, either in laboratories or in the field, which could include a veterinary office, a farm or ranch, or any outdoor area harboring animal life. Students will research and analyze the growth and destruction of species and research or diagnose diseases and injuries of animals.

Secondary Courses for High School Credit

Level 1

  • Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Level 2

  • Small Animal Management
  • Equine Science
  • Entrepreneurship I

Level 3

  • Livestock Production

Level 4

  • Advanced Animal Science
  • Veterinary Medical Applications
  • Veterinary Medical Applications + Agricultural Laboratory and Field Experience
  • Career and Technical Education Project-Based Capstone
  • Practicum in Entrepreneurship
  • Career Preparation for Programs of Study
  • Career Preparation for Programs of Study + Extended Career Preparation
  • Scientific Research and Design

Aligned Advanced Academic Courses

AP or IB

AP Biology

Dual Credit

Dual credit offerings will vary by local education agency.

Students should be advised to consider these course opportunities to enrich their preparation. AP or IB courses not listed under the Secondary Courses for High School Credit section of this framework document do not count towards concentrator/completer status for this program of study.

Work-Based Learning and Expanded Learning Opportunities

Work-Based Learning Activities

  • Shadow an animal scientist in a biology lab to learn about applying science to understand animals and wildlife
  • Intern in a veterinary clinic, caring for animals and wildlife being treated in the clinic

Expanded Learning Opportunities

  • Participate in an FFA career, leadership, and speaking contest like an agriscience fair
  • Attend an agricultural industry seminar

Aligned Industry-Based Certifications

  • Certified Veterinary Assistant, Level I
  • Elanco Fundamentals of Animal Science Certification
  • Elanco Veterinary Medical Applications Certification
  • Feedyard Technician in Cattle Care and Handling

Example Postsecondary Opportunities

Apprenticeships

  • Reproduction Technician

Associate Degrees

  • Biological and Physical Sciences
  • Entomology

Bachelor’s Degrees

  • Animal Science
  • Zoology/Animal Biology

Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional Degrees

  • Marine Sciences
  • Biotechnology

Additional Stackable IBCs/License

  • Veterinarian
  • Certified Veterinary Technician

Example Aligned Occupations

Animal Science

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Median Wage: $29,906

Annual Openings: 1,348

10-Year Growth: 24%

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Median Wage: $33,679

Annual Openings: 1,217

10-Year Growth: 24%�

Veterinarian

Median Wage: $103,160

Annual Openings: 347

10-Year Growth: 26%

Successful completion of the Animal Science program of study will fulfill requirements of a Business and Industry endorsement.

Data Source: TexasWages, Texas Workforce Commission. Retrieved 3/8/2024

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Statewide Program of Study: Animal Science — Page 2

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster

Statewide Program of Study: Animal Science

Course Information

Level 1

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters

Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources*

13000200 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Level 2

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters

Small Animal Management

13000400 (0.5 credit)

Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Equine Science

13000500 (0.5 credit)

Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Entrepreneurship I*

13011101 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Principles of Business, Marketing and Finance

Recommended Corequisites: None

Level 3

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters

Livestock Production

13000300 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

* Indicates course is included in more than one program of study.

For additional information on the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources career cluster, �contact cte@tea.texas.gov or visit https://tea.texas.gov/cte 

[LEA name] does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: [title], [address], [telephone number], [email]. Further nondiscrimination information can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.

Animal Science

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters

Advanced Animal Science

13000700 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry or Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); Algebra l and Geometry; and either Small Animal Management, Equine Science, or Livestock Production�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Veterinary Medical Applications

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Level 4

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Statewide Program of Study: Animal Science — Page 3

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster

Statewide Program of Study: Animal Science

Course Information

Level 4

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters

Veterinary Medical Applications

13000600 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: Equine Science, Small Animal Management, or Livestock Production�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

Veterinary Medical Applications + Agricultural Laboratory and Field Experience

13000610 (2 credits)

Prerequisites: Equine Science, Small Animal Management, or Livestock Production�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Career and Technical Education Project-Based Capstone*

First Time Taken:

12701101 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

Practicum in Entrepreneurship*

First Time Taken:

13011111 (2 credits)

Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Entrepreneurship I and Entrepreneurship II or successful completion of at least two courses in a CTE program of study

Recommended Corequisites: None

Career Preparation for Programs of Study*

First Time Taken:

12701121 (2 credits)

Prerequisites: At least one Level 2 �or higher CTE course

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

Career Preparation for Programs of Study + Extended Career Preparation*

First Time Taken:

12701141 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: At least one Level 2

or higher CTE course

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

Scientific Research and Design*

13037200 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC), or Physics

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

* Indicates course is included in more than one program of study.

For additional information on the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources career cluster, �contact cte@tea.texas.gov or visit https://tea.texas.gov/cte 

[LEA name] does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: [title], [address], [telephone number], [email]. Further nondiscrimination information can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.

Animal Science