**This course is offered at both SRUC Ayr and Edinburgh. At SRUC Ayr, you would complete the first two years of the course and then transfer to SRUC Edinburgh for years 3 and 4. SRUC Edinburgh offers the full course.** We face critical challenges over the coming decades. How can we use our limited land and resources to provide the growing global population with a sustainable supply of food, energy and raw materials, whilst reducing our impact on the natural environment? How can we develop agricultural systems that are resilient to climate change and disease epidemics and that deliver increased yields of crops and livestock, using less energy and with improved standards of animal welfare? SRUC graduates with expertise in animal, plant and agricultural sciences are well-equipped to help meet these challenges and can look forward to an exciting and rewarding career. The first two years of this course follow the HND Applied Bioscience, giving you a broad and varied introduction to biology and biochemistry. Throughout the course you will develop a sound knowledge and understanding of animal science and its applications, together with a foundation in biological principles and practical and laboratory skills. You will gain the knowledge needed to improve the productivity and sustainability of livestock productions systems, for controlling disease epidemics, for raising standards of animal welfare and for enhancing wildlife biodiversity. You will gain an awareness of the future demands of our growing population in a time of climate change and the role that animal scientists can play in addressing these. An understanding of the environmental, ethical and economic contexts in which the sector operates will also be acquired.