Animal Science

Learn to collect and analyze data that contributes to innovations in animal science. Specialize in animal nutrition, reproductive physiology, meats, animal breeding, and muscle biology and growth.

Achieve your degree in two years. Learn research protocols. Conduct literature reviews, design and carry out scientific experiments, and interpret and validate data.

Before entering the program, determine the 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, and analyze and present your results. You'll also publish your findings in an academic periodical.

Work with professors who are conducting 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:

• An undergraduate degree in animal or health science.
• 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 about 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 your independent research topic.

What You Can Do

With this degree, you may become a:

• 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.
• Production manager: Work as livestock breeder or feedlot operator monitoring animal nutrition, physiology and behavior.
• Extension educator: Teach as a state and area livestock specialist or county agricultural agent.
• Research support scientist: Monitor the health and well-being of animals used for research or industry. Prepare experiments and collect and analyze data.

Opportunities

With this degree, starting salaries are as high as $50,000.

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 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 animal feed, medicine and surgery.

Activities

Present your research findings 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 University of Idaho 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. Analyze the hormone composition of blood in equine reproductive physiology labs. Participate in lactation research in an agricultural biotechnology lab. Care for animals at the beef, dairy and sheep centers. Positions are paid.

Teaching assistantship: Work directly with undergraduates. 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.