A class in animal science is a good introduction to many fields related to animals, from veterinary practice to training or breeding animals or working for conservation. Beginning courses in animal science usually cover animal physiology, nutrition, breeding, care and management. These courses often focus on pets as well as animals used for food, such as livestock and poultry. A beginning animal science is offered at the University of Minnesota; contact colleges near you to learn if similar courses in are available.
Classes in animal disease usually discuss diseases that commonly afflict animals, how they are contracted and how they are treated. Animal disease courses often cover veterinary surgical techniques and sometimes include hands-on portions, such as visits to veterinary hospitals and research clinics where students can assist and learn from professionals. A course on animal diseases is available at Virginia Community College, but may also be offered at a college near you.
Courses in animal health and food safety cover the relationship between global health and animals consumed by humans. Courses like this explore global trade in live animals and animal products and focus on the health of animals as well as food law. In such a course you are likely to learn international standards for the health of animals processed for food. Courses like these may be a good choice if you're interested in improving the treatment of commercial livestock and poultry. This course is available at Michigan State University and is usually available online from this college as well.
A course in animal behavior is likely to cover survival and adaptation techniques used by animals in their natural habitats. Courses in animal behavior often focus on how animals feed, reproduce, care for young, communicate, defend themselves, compete and keep prey populations in control. You are likely to learn from examples from the animal world and may be able to participate in research seeking a better understanding of animal behavior. This course is available at Columbia College Chicago, but similar classes are taught at many institutions.