Animal Science
Understand the behaviour of bovines. Discover why some cow's coats are brown. Design greener pastures with computer modelling. Formulate a high-performance animal diet. Learn the biotech of beef. Become a swine connoisseur. These are just a few opportunities available to you when you choose to major in Animal Science at the University of Saskatchewan.
What is Animal Science?
Animal scientists study the feeding, breeding and management of domestic animals, particularly those of agricultural significance. This field of science encompasses subjects ranging from herd genetics and high-performance diets to animal vaccines and environmentally sound animal management, with a focus on transferring this knowledge into practice. More and more, animal science professionals are committed to devising innovative solutions to the challenges posed by a growing world population with changing patterns of diet, a finite amount of farmland and changing climatic conditions.
Areas of emphasis in the U of S Animal Science program include biotechnology, genetics, computer modelling, nutrition, animal behaviour and welfare, sustainable production systems and management, pasture management, and forage production.
| "My experiences as an Animal Science student have been outstanding. The professors and departmental staff are an excellent resource, making themselves available for assistance at anytime. The hands-on learning component of the program really allowed me to relate classroom material with real-world senarios I will face in my career." |  Erin Gibson, B.S.A. 2006 |
Career Opportunities
The rapid expansion of the livestock and animal health industry in Saskatchewan and elsewhere means an increasing need for scientists and professionals who can guide this industry’s development.
Opportunities for Animal Science graduates are wide-ranging. In government positions, graduates can help set government policies or work directly in research. Other employment can be found with feed manufacturers, animal breeding companies, pharmaceutical companies, consulting firms, universities, as well as in primary production or in the growing agricultural biotechnology industry. Some graduates also choose rewarding careers working with developing nations.
Graduates with advanced degrees typically find careers as scientists, professors, specialists or business executives.
The U of S Advantage
The U of S provides a learning environment with an innovative, hands-on approach to education, offered in world-class teaching facilities. In this unique environment, students will learn from top-notch faculty, some who are teacher-scholars conducting world-class research and some who are teacher-practitioners running their own agribusiness part-time.
In addition to outstanding technical instruction, students will also receive essential leadership and professional training including computer skills, business writing skills and public speaking experience.
The strong knowledge base in animal science offered at the College is complemented by the expertise at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and other closely-linked enterprises and research bodies such as the Prairie Feed Resource Centre, the Prairie Swine Centre and the Beef Development Centre.
The Animal and Poultry Science Department features a strong international component. Students and faculty members have been involved with work projects, research, study and exchange programs in areas around the world, such as Argentina, Guatemala, China, Mexico, Japan, Tibet, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
Choose Your Program!
After a first year of general courses, students have the option of specializing in Animal Science. Beginning in the second year, students take a concentration of courses related to their major, and a variety of required and elective courses. Students can enhance their studies by participating in co-operative work terms and study abroad options. Students may also complete a program minor in a related area, such as agribusiness, biotechnology or range management.
Students wishing to apply to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine can complete their course prerequisites through the Department of Animal and Poultry Science in two or more years. Due to the heavy courseload of the two-year pre-veterinary medicine program and to the keen competition for entry to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, pre-veterinary students often choose to expand their degree options by combining pre-veterinary medicine courses with general course requirements for the Animal Science program.
A Major in Animal Science
Students majoring in Animal Science earn the following degrees:
- B.S.A. Four year
Students who begin their studies in other colleges, such as Commerce or Arts & Science, may also enter this program by transferring to Agriculture & Bioresources.
A Stepping Stone...
Graduates from this program have excellent prospects as Master’s students at the U of S and at universities around the world. Earning a Master’s degree in Animal Science takes an average of two years and gives students significant advantage in terms of career options. Master’s graduates can also choose to pursue a Ph.D. or other post-graduate programs.
All students who enter Master’s or Ph.D. programs in Animal Science at the U of S have the opportunity to obtain a funded position within the Animal & Poultry Science Department’s research program. Recently, the Department has attracted Master’s and Ph.D. students from across Canada and countries around the world including Mexico, the United States, China, Kenya, Greece, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
A B.S.A. degree is also highly useful and marketable for studies in other areas such as business, communications, politics, education, journalism, native studies and environmental law. Some students study Animal Science in preparation for a career in the veterinary industry.
| "To me, one of the best things about Animal Science is its applied nature. What we get to do is see something on paper actually evolve into practice and have an impact in the world. That is enormously gratifying to me as a researcher. As a teacher, I endeavor to take a hands-on approach to learning-exposing students not just to the theory but also to its practice in the real world." |  Hank Classen, Professor Animal Science |
Outstanding Students and Faculty
- Professors Phil Thacker and Roger Cohen were part of international collaborations developing innovative computer-based management tools for livestock enterprises.
- Professor Sheila Schmutz’ gene mapping research team recently discovered the mutation which causes the coat colour for the infamous “how now, brown cow” and has also developed tests to predict certain coat colours in dogs.
- Graduate Leigh Marquess runs a DNA consulting and testing business that helps ranchers select beef cattle which grow faster and are of higher quality.
- Professor Dave Christensen was listed as one of Maclean’s “Popular Profs” in the magazine’s annual university issue; Professor Christensen was also selected in 1998 as the first recipient of the International Animal Agriculture award for his 25 years of service as a dairy and livestock consultant in developing nations.
- Professor Bernard Laarveld worked on a team that was awarded a patent to derive improved animal vaccines from snakeroot, a native prairie plant.
Laboratory and Research Facilities
Animal Science students are housed in the state-of-the-art Agriculture building, a prominent feature of the beautiful U of S campus. Here, students have access to outstanding laboratory, multi-media and study facilities and exceptional student resources, such as the CIBC Centre for Agricultural Entrepreneurship.
Other highlights include:
- molecular biology and nutrition laboratories
- small and large animal intensive research facilities
- on-campus livestock research stations, including swine, dairy, poultry, beef and sheep units
- a metabolic research facility
- a feed processing pilot plant
- a germ free research facility
- an aquaculture (fish feed) research facility
Getting Involved!
Join the Agriculture Students' Association (A.S.A.). The A.S.A. is one of the most active and spirited student bodies on campus. The A.S.A.'s activities include everything from debates, to speaker nights, to professional development days, to Telemiracle fundraising, to social nights with the professors.
Related Interests
If you are interested in Animal Science, you might also be interested in:
Relevant Links
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