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Animal and Veterinary Science

Animal and Veterinary Science (B.S.A.V.S.)

Animal Science Minor

Animal and Veterinary Science Graduate Degree Programs

Mark A. McGuire, Dept. Head (213 Ag. Sc. Bldg. 83844-2330; phone 208/885-6345). Faculty: Amin Ahmadzadeh, Gordon W. Brumbaugh, Mireille Chahine, Joseph C. Dalton, Matthew E. Doumit, Mary E. Drewnoski, James J. England, J. Benton Glaze, John B. Hall, Ronald W. Hardy, Rodney A. Hill, Mark A. McGuire, Gordon K. Murdoch, Richard J. Norell, Madison S. Powell, Pedram Rezamand, Ronald P. Richard,.

Animal agriculture has a major role in providing the supply of high quality food, not only for the people of the United States, but also for those of other nations. Food and fiber obtained from animals include meat, milk, eggs, wool, and many by-products. Knowledge and skills resulting from a college education in this field will permit the graduate to contribute to improved production and health of the nation's livestock including beef, sheep, dairy, swine, poultry, horses, and companion animals.

In addition to classrooms and laboratories located in the Agricultural Science Building, the department's facilities include production centers for dairy, beef, and sheep, as well as a meats laboratory and livestock judging pavilion. Several breeds of animals are maintained for instructional purposes. The academic program is designed to prepare students for a variety of important and rewarding career opportunities. For more specific information, get in touch with the department head (208/885-6345).

To prepare students for the varied types of occupations available in animal agriculture, the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science offers a bachelor of science degree in animal and veterinary science with four options: business, dairy science, production and science/preveterinary. Each of these majors, while attempting to provide the students with a sound background in animal biology, has its separate emphasis on complementary academic training. One of the strongest features of these programs is the flexibility provided. Each major permits the student to plan the precise course of study that will best prepare him or her for the area of work that he or she desires to enter. The department also offers a minor in animal science for students desiring a background in animal agriculture to complement their major field of study.

The B.S.A.V.S. business option is designed for students who desire a career as entry level into management positions in livestock-related industries. This option is oriented toward business, economics, and agricultural economics, in addition to a sound background in production animal agriculture. With appropriate choices of elective courses, students can also prepare themselves for positions with financial institutions involved with the animal agriculture industry.

An option in dairy science (B.S.A.V.S.) helps prepare students for careers in one of Idaho's fastest growing industries. This option offers introductory and advanced course work and "hands on training" at a modern dairy center. Specific courses are taught in dairy nutrition, forage crops, dairy reproduction and physiology, dairy cattle evaluation, dairy products and processing, physiology of lactation, herd health management, agriculture power and machines, and farm management. Students are eligible to participate in the cooperative of university dairy students (CUDS) program.

The option in production (B.S.A.V.S.) is designed for students who desire to pursue a career in livestock production, graduate work in one of the varied disciplines in animal sciences (nutrition, breeding, physiology, growth, endocrinology, meats, etc.), or for employment by companies that require intensive training in animal biology. This option is also excellent training for those interested in Cooperative Extension.

The science/pre-veterinary option (B.S.A.V.S.) is offered for students interested in veterinary school or a graduate program involving any of the disciplines of animal biology. It is typically a 4-yr program of study, but for a few students the 3+1 program will be of interest. If, after successful completion of 99 credits of required courses (first 3 years of the 4-yr program, the student is admitted to a recognized college of veterinary medicine and completes the first year of veterinary school (equivalent of at least 32 credits), that first year will constitute the senior year at UI and the student will be awarded a B.S. A.V.S. at UI.

The department offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science degree with a major in animal science and a Doctor of Philosophy degree with a major in animal physiology. The department offers areas of specialization in nutrition, reproductive physiology, embryo physiology, animal growth and development, meat science, and animal diseases with orientation towards beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, sheep, and fish. The department also participates in university interdisciplinary programs in reproductive biology, and molecular and agricultural genetic engineering.

Graduate work in the department is designed to prepare the student for work in research, extension, teaching, and industry. Thesis projects are diverse in scope and range in design from studying very fundamental biological questions to application of scientific knowledge to animal production and management. Facilities available for graduate student research include herds and flocks of major livestock breeds, ruminant nutrition and physiology laboratories, biomedical research laboratories, a university-operated dairy, meat science laboratory, and a 500-head experimental feedlot. Active cooperation is maintained with federal research agencies located on and off campus.

Graduate student assistantships are available on a competitive basis each year. Inquiries should be directed to the department's graduate program coordinator.

Courses

See course description section for courses in Animal and Veterinary Science (AVS).