Programme Structure
Meet Mathilde, a second-year student at the MSc programme in Animal Science, and hear why she chose to study animal science, what surprised her, and the most difficult and best parts of the programme.
Study programme
The MSc programme in Animal Science is a 2-year programme taught in English, which helps you to obtain a strong international profile.
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Year 1 |
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
| Livestock and Equine Production Science |
Restricted electives/electives |
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| Restricted electives/electives | ||||
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Year 2 |
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
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Restricted electives/electives |
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First year
You will follow two compulsory courses that give you a solid understanding of special problems within the subjects. In addition you choose from a large number of elective and restricted elective courses which give you a good opportunity to structure your education on the basis of your particular academic interests.
The two compulsory courses give you a solid foundation and understanding of special problems within the field of animal science.
- Animals and Sustainability (7.5 ECTS)
- Livestock and Equine Production Science (15 ECTS)
At the faculty of Science and faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, you can choose between such different subjects:
- management of livestock
- ethology
- mammal genomics
- parasitology
- immunology
- biotechnology
- quantitative genetics and breeding
- animal experimental techniques
- nutrition and food quality
- business economics
- strategic advising and management
- project management
- big data processing etc.
You are also free to choose courses at other faculties at the University of Copenhagen and at other Danish or international universities.
Restricted elective courses:
Minimum 30 ECTS credits are to be covered by courses from the following list:
- Advanced Livestock and Equine Production Science
- Experimental Animal Nutrition and Physiology (EANP)
- Nutrition and Management of Companion and Exotic Animals
- Advanced Quantitative Methods in Herd Management
- Quantitative Genomics and Breeding
- Ethology
- Domestic Animal Parasitology
- Parasitic Zoonoses and One Health approaches
Electives
Besides the two compulsory courses and the restricted electives, the programme includes 22,5 ECTS for elective courses.
It is possible to study abroad as part of your MSc in Animal Science. You may choose to study abroad for one or two semesters or for a shorter period of time; e.g. by attending a summer school.
The two compulsory courses during the two first semesters of the master's degree can be postponed or you can take similar courses abroad.
There are plenty of opportunities to achieve an international profile by studying abroad for a semester.
Why Study Abroad?
A main objective of studying abroad is to further widen your academic knowledge and network. You are also more likely to benefit socially and culturally.
It is a good idea to seek advice from lecturers and the student guidance when planning your studies abroad to find out where to go and how to structure your academic programme. Your lecturers may have academic inputs, international contacts and may be able to provide you with references which can prove useful.
Exchange Agreements
The University of Copenhagen has an extensive number of exchange agreements with universities world wide.
Information about partner universities specific to Animal Science is available through the International Relations Office at Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
Second year
On your second year, you take both electives and write your thesis.
The thesis is the final part of your degree. It is your opportunity to concentrate on an academic problem which interests you, for seven months (45 ECTS). It can be both theoretical and practical and often it will contain independent experimental work or collection and analysis of data.
You can make the thesis in collaboration with the private sector, for instance by working on a real life problem and often such collaborations may lead to a job after graduation.