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
September 7, 2023
One Health Microbiome Center honors creativity and mentoring with award series
The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has named eight recipients for its 2023-24 Inaugural Award Series, which reflects on a profound year of impacts and achievements and recognizes the talents of the OHMC community.
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September 6, 2023
Cattle on low-protein rations may need amino acid supplement to boost milk yield
Reduced protein feed for dairy cows is designed to decrease environmental nitrogen pollution from their manure such as nitrate leaching, nutrient-laden run-off and ammonia volatilization, but can lower milk production. A Penn State-led research team found that supplementing the feed with the amino acid histidine may help in maintaining, and even increasing, milk and milk-protein yields.
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August 28, 2023
Animal Science department to provide biosecurity kits to 4-H programs statewide
Amid the recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry, all Pennsylvania 4-H animal project members are urged to practice stringent biosecurity measures both at home and during fairs, shows and other events. To promote good biosecurity practices, the Department of Animal Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is sponsoring a biosecurity kit for each county 4-H program in the state.
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August 23, 2023
Animal microbiome researcher awarded $1.3M to study pathogenic threats
Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes and executive committee member of Penn State’s One Health Microbiome Center, was recently awarded two grants totaling $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lead teams of scientists in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Extension in studies of pathogenic threats to livestock and people.
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Department of Animal Science
- Email AskDAS@psu.edu
- Office 814-865-1362
- Fax 814-863-6042
