About the Department
The Department of Animal Science at Penn State has one of the oldest and best programs in the country.
Penn State Animal Science is a national leader for animal science teaching, research, and extension programs. Our small-school atmosphere facilitates a warm, welcoming, intellectually stimulating, and professional environment.
We’re industry focused and connected. We boast state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty with years of working experience in their fields. The best faculty in their respective disciplines are recruited from around the globe to push students to excel and move the needle on critical research. Our facilities are best in class and uniquely close to the heart of the Penn State experience. Barns, research plots, and laboratories are just steps away, including the new Animal, Veterinary, and Biomedical Sciences Building.
Student success drives the department. Our undergraduate programs offer students hands-on science with real-world applications, excellent internship experiences, robust scholarship opportunities, and high job placement.
Our graduate programs offer master of science and doctoral degrees. Graduate students receive in-depth training in core science and management disciplines, conduct groundbreaking research, and teach classes.
Student success and cutting-edge, well-funded research are the lead departmental drivers. Students are encouraged to participate in meaningful research from the first semester of their freshman year.
Current Animal Science research areas include animal products and human health, dairy, deer, equine, livestock, meat science and muscle biology, nutrient management and environmental stewardship, poultry, quality and safety of animal foods, and reproductive biology and fertility.
Meet our faculty, staff, and students, and see why we are one of the premier animal science hubs in the country.
Latest News
May 10, 2022
Existing technologies can help world meet agricultural methane targets by 2030
Amid the frequent bad news about climate change, some potentially good news has emerged: Existing technologies, diligently applied, could enable the world to meet the target set for reducing agricultural methane emissions by 2030, say researchers.
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April 21, 2022
Adding high-flavonoid corn to broiler chickens’ diet may cut intestinal disease
The inclusion of a high-flavonoid corn, developed by a Penn State maize geneticist, in the diet of broiler chickens reduced the incidence and severity of a fatal intestinal disorder known as necrotic enteritis.
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April 21, 2022
What does the detection of avian flu mean for Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is the latest state to report a confirmed detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a commercial poultry flock, leading state officials, industry leaders and Penn State poultry specialists to redouble efforts to contain the virus and educate producers, backyard flock owners and the public about the disease.
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April 18, 2022
Plaut Named Penn State Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus
Karen I. Plaut, Ph.D., Dean of Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, has been selected as the 2022 Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus by Penn State’s Department of Animal Science.
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Department of Animal Science
- Email AskDAS@psu.edu
- Office 814-865-1362
- Fax 814-863-6042