Veterinary Science

Develop the advanced research skills and knowledge to collect and analyze data that contributes to innovations in veterinary science. Specialize in animal nutrition, reproductive physiology, meats, animal breeding, or muscle biology and growth.

Learn research protocols, conduct literature reviews, design and carry out scientific experiments, and interpret and validate data.

Before entering the two-year program, you'll select a professor whose research interests match your own. Secure a position as an assistant in his or her lab. This professor will serve on your graduate committee and guide your independent research.

For your thesis, you'll develop a research methodology, carry out scientific data collection, analyze your results and present your findings to your peers and professors. You'll also publish your findings in an academic periodical.

You'll work alongside professors who conduct research that is nationally and internationally significant. Explore topics such as reproduction, growth, and lactation physiology; meat and dairy science and nutrition; and aquaculture. Our professors contribute to innovations in cloning and production processes that are less harmful to the environment.

Prepare for Success

Candidates for this program should have:

• A degree in veterinary medicine (DVM).
• An interest in research methodologies and data collection.
• A desire to think critically about topics in animal science with an eye toward strengthening the field.

Your First Year

Your first year, you should expect to:

• Take specialized courses in animal science.
• Learn and practice lab techniques.
• Conduct research in a lab for your primary professor.
• Choose at least two other professors (one can be from outside the department) who will serve on your graduate committee.
• Work with your committee to plan the specifics of your course work and research goals.
• Select a research topic.

What You Can Do

With this degree, you may become a:

• Research veterinarian: Contribute to the field of animal science with research in a lab. Prepare experiments and collect and analyze data. Make discoveries that improve the health of animals and the environment.
• Food industry veterinarian: Help ensure the quality, quantity and security of food supplies by maintaining the health of livestock and inspecting meat, milk, eggs and other animal products.
• Industry consultant: Provide in-field technical assistance in animal breeding, health or nutrition for a pharmaceutical firm, feed and equipment manufacturer, artificial breeding association, meat processor or food distributor.
• Extension educator: Teach as a state and area livestock specialist.

Opportunities

With this degree, starting salaries are as high as $60,000.

You may also want to continue your education in a related field. Pursue a Ph.D. in disciplines such as genetics and breeding, nutrition, reproductive physiology or growth physiology.

Current Research

Engage in cutting edge research in University of Idaho animal science facilities:

• Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center: Collect data to assess the health and well-being of 400 crossbred mother cows.
• Beef Center: Analyze samples to better understand rumen function.
• Dairy Research and Teaching Center: Conduct lactation research that contributes to efficiencies in milk production.
• Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory (NERL): Experiment with the process of cloning and other reproduction methods.
• Sheep Research and Teaching Center: Study the respiratory diseases of bighorn sheep.
• Meat Lab: Test the quality of meat and treatment of carcasses.
• Caine Veterinary Teaching Center: Explore multiple areas of food animal medicine and surgery.

Activities

Present papers at national meetings for societies dedicated to the study of animal science, dairy science, nutrition, reproduction and fertility, and cell biology. Meet leaders in the field, graduate students from other universities, and potential employers.

Other opportunities include:

• Graduate and Professional Student Association: Gain leadership experience and represent your department in student government.
• Annual Student Research Expo: Compete for cash prizes awarded for graduate research presentations.
• College of Graduate Studies Awards: Share in the annual recognition of graduate students engaged in outstanding teaching, research, leadership and mentoring.

Hands-On Experience

Gain hands-on experiences like these:

Research assistantship: Help professors with grant-funded research. For example, track the health status of newborn dairy calves by monitoring blood and fecal samples. Participate in lactation research in an agricultural biotechnology lab. Collect data on the respiratory diseases of bighorn sheep. Care for animals at the beef, dairy and sheep centers. Positions are paid.

Teaching assistantship: Work directly with students. Teach fundamental laboratory skills and help them grasp animal science topics such as anatomy, nutrition and reproduction. Participate in hands-on sessions in on-campus laboratories and animal centers. Positions are paid.

International collaboration: Share findings with scientists in other countries such as Finland, China and Russia. Travel and pool data.

Volunteer opportunities: Give back and gain new experiences. Assist hospital medical staff as they care for patients. Treat sick pets at a veterinary clinic. Work at a clinic in a developing country.