Animal Science & Fisheries
Animal Science & Fisheries in Sri Lanka: Careers, Curriculum & Future Outlook
💼 Targeted Job Roles
- Livestock or Dairy Production Manager
- Fisheries & Aquaculture Manager
- Animal Nutritionist
- Research Officer (Dept. of Animal Production & Health, NARA, Dept. of Fisheries)
- Aquaculture / Hatchery Technician or Manager
- Quality Assurance Officer (seafood & livestock processing and exports)
- Agricultural / Fisheries Extension Officer
- Agri- or aqua-entrepreneur
📘 Overview
The BSc in Animal Science & Fisheries brings together two of Sri Lanka's key food-producing sectors — farm-animal production and aquatic resources. Introduced at the University of Peradeniya's Faculty of Agriculture in 2009, the programme trains graduates to manage, research and build enterprises across livestock, dairy, poultry, aquaculture and fisheries. It suits students who enjoy biology and applied science and want a practical, field-and-lab career feeding the nation.
It earns a solid future-proof score because livestock and fisheries are essential, growing parts of the economy — especially aquaculture and the “blue economy” — though much of the employment still sits in the government and research sectors, which tempers the score.
📚 What You'll Study
Built as an outcome-based programme of around 35 courses spanning both livestock and aquatic systems, the curriculum typically covers:
- Animal production, husbandry and management
- Animal nutrition, breeding and genetics
- Aquaculture and fisheries science
- Aquatic resource management and fish biology
- Animal and fish health, welfare and hygiene
- Processing, value addition and food quality of animal and fish products
- Farm and enterprise management, agribusiness and economics
- Research methods, with project and field/industry training components
⏳ Duration
The programme runs for four years as a Bachelor's degree, combining coursework with laboratory, field and research training.
✅ Entry Requirements
To be eligible you need at least three ‘S’ grades at the G.C.E. Advanced Level in one of these subject combinations:
- Chemistry, Biology and Physics — each minimum grade S, or
- Chemistry, Biology and Agricultural Science — each minimum grade S
So Biology and Chemistry are required in both routes, with either Physics or Agricultural Science as the third subject (minimum grade S). Final selection also depends on your Z-score, which varies by university and district every year — check your eligibility with the free tool on findmydegree.lk.
🏛️ Where It's Offered
- University of Peradeniya — 74 seats
ℹ️ Entry requirements, seats and universities are sourced from official UGC data (2024/2025 A/L). Career and curriculum details are general guidance — confirm specifics with each university.