• Academics
• Prospective
• Introduction

Overview

If you're interested in science and working with animals, a career in animal sciences may be for you.

In the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, you can learn and explore

• food animal and dairy production
• companion animals for recreation or leisure
• meat processing and utilization
• animal biotechnology
• animal behavior and care

What Will You Study?

The Animal Sciences curricula provide a firm biological and natural sciences background essential for understanding the principles of animal genetics, physiology, nutrition, muscle biology, and management of livestock and companion animals.

Specific subject matter areas of study include ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition, animal genetics, environmental management and behavior, immunology, meat science and muscle biology, microbiology, reproductive physiology, molecular biology, and genetic engineering. Animal sciences is the logical degree program for students who have an interest in veterinary medicine.

Students learn how environment influences animals and how to feed cattle, swine, and pets to meet their production and welfare needs. You can learn to process meat products or learn how to regulatie fertility in animals. You can gain sciences skills that relate to animals and to people. And you'll hve many opportunities to be involved in undergraduate research projects that create unique learning opportunities.

Animal sciences students can participate in summer internships or workstudy programs with animal industry sponsors. Through these programs, you can gain valuable professional experience in your field of interest while continuing to make progress toward your degree.

To help you understand and fully appreciate the entire scope of food, human, and natural resources systems, programs of study offer a flexible choice of courses in food science, forage and crop production, agricultural engineering, and agricultural and consumer economics. A well-rounded program of study, also permits you to include courses in such related disciplines as computer science, economics, business, and communications.

Every student learns

• to think clearly, creatively, critically, and quantitatively
• to apply scientific principles to food and companion animals
• to be familiar with procedures and programs practiced in the animal industry
• to learn and develop skills to deal with potential changes in the animal industry

Students will be prepared for graduate studies in animal specializations or for professional careers that require strong preparation in the basic sciences, such as veterinary and human medicine.

To prepare for a professional career as a specialist in animal production management, product sales, technical advising, or the food industries, students may specialize in beef, swine, dairy, equine, meats, poultry, sheep, or companion animal options.

Studies will include appropriate courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, rhetoric, social science, and humanities. All students will broaden their basic agricultural knowledge with introductory courses in animal sciences, agricultural and consumer economics, agricultural engineering, crop sciences, and food science and human nutrition. As students progress in their programs of study, they also pursue specialized courses in areas of professional interest.

Careers in Animal Sciences

Recent advances in nutrition, physiology, and biotechnology underline the significant changes in today's animal agriculture and its growing importance to society as a whole. As new career opportunities emerge, many trained animal scientists will be needed to assume these challenging roles.

Depending on the particular program you choose, you can find a rewarding career in business, industry, government, education, or research. Animal sciences graduates enjoy many careers related to animals, including:

• Technical, managerial, administrative, public relations, and sales positions in allied animal industries such as feed, equipment, and animal health
• Research scientists and laboratory specialists in government agencies and private firms working in such specialized fields as breeding and reproduction, health, nutrition, and housing
• Professional careers in veterinary medicine and industries related to animal health and well-being
• Management, product development, and marketing positions with food processors and related industries
• Field representatives, managers, and consultants with breeding and livestock marketing organizations
• Animal caretakes, with zoos, kennels, and similar facilities

Beyond the Classroom

Going to college isn't all academics. You'll find many rewarding cultural and social activities on the Urbana-Champaign campus to enrich your total collegiate experience.

As a student at the University of Illinois, you can participate in a large variety of interesting extracurricular activities. Big Ten athletic events and organized intramural sports of all types attract sports enthusiasts. The Krannert Center for Performing Arts offers dramatic and musical performances throughout the year. The Assembly Hall hosts major rock groups and other live entertainment. And camputown provides a relaxing atmosphere for socializing with your friends.

Many clubs and organizations on campus offer opportunities to share your interests and talents with others. Students majoring in animal sciences may be interested in joining:

• Hoof and Horn Club
• Illini Dairy Club
• Companion Animal Club
• Illini Equestrian Club
• Rodeo Club
• Pre-Vet Club

These organizations sponsor a variety of major educational and social events where you can cultivate your professional interests in the animal sciences while developing closer associations with faculty members and fellow students.

The Department of Animal Sciences also supports livestock, meats, dairy and horse judging teams that allow students to compete throughout the United States.

Admission

Freshman admission is based upon high school courses completed, class rank, ACT score, and professional interests. A combination of these factors is used in making admission decisions. Transfer applicants must have completed 60 hours of transferable credit and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5/4.0 or better.

Why the University of Illinois?

The University of Illinois has a rich tradition of excellence at all levels. Across the campus 75 percent of all undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students, and class sizes in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences are typically 25 to 35 students. Students consistently rate instruction in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences among the best on the entire campus.

The University of Illinois offers the premier animal sciences program in Illinois and one of the leading programs in the United States. The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is clearly one of the nation's leaders in the study of food, human, and natural resources systems.

Advising and Placement

All students are assigned an animal sciences faculty member as their academic advisor, who provides assistance in academic areas, course scheduling, career planning, placement, and other student concerns. The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences placement office holds an annual Ag Career Expo and provides many other excellent services to assist students in job placement.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships, student loans, and part-time employment are available to animal sciences students. In addition to offering various other merit- and need-based scholarships, the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences awards approximately fifty Jonathan Baldwin Turner (JBT) Agricultural Scholarships annually. These four-year, $4,000 merit-based awards are given on a competitive basis to entering freshmen. Selection criteria include outstanding academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and good citizenship. To obtain JBT scholarship information and application forms, contact the college's Office of Academic Programs prior to the conclusion of your high school junior year.

You may also want to compete for the various departmental scholarships and awards given to new and continuing animal sciences students, based on academic achievement, leadership activities, and/or demonstrated financial need. Additional scholarships and awards are offered by the respective department clubs.

For More Information

Please see our list of campus resources or feel free to contact us directly at ansci@uiuc.edu.