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
October 10, 2024
AI decodes microbes’ message in milk safety testing approach
By combining the genetic sequencing and analysis of the microbes in a milk sample with artificial intelligence (AI), researchers were able to detect anomalies in milk production, such as contamination or unauthorized additives. The new approach could help improve dairy safety, according to the study authors from Penn State, Cornell University and IBM Research.
Read MoreSeptember 16, 2024
Pantano named 2024 Poultry Science Distinguished Alumnus
Thomas Pantano has been recognized as the 2024 Poultry Science Distinguished Almunus by the Department of Animal Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Read MoreAugust 23, 2024
Lisa Holden named interim head of the Department of Animal Science
Lisa Holden, associate professor of dairy science, has been appointed interim head of the Department of Animal Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Read MoreAugust 23, 2024
Testing confirms that Penn State dairy herd is free of avian influenza
After three weeks of testing as required under a voluntary state monitoring program for bird flu in dairy cattle, animal health experts in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences announced that the University’s dairy herd has been certified as free of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI.
Read MoreUpcoming Events
Penn State Day with the College of Ag Sciences
October 14, 2024
Animals Interest Area Visit for Prospective Students
November 8, 2024
University Park, PA
Business, Education, and Community Interest Area Visit for Prospective Students
November 11, 2024
University Park, PA
Animals Interest Area Visit for Prospective Students
December 2, 2024
University Park, PA
Department of Animal Science
Address
439 Shortlidge Road, Room 109University Park, PA 16802
- Email AskDAS@psu.edu
- Office 814-865-1362