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
April 26, 2024
Penn State’s Block and Bridle Club Recognized at National Convention
Penn State’s Block and Bridle Club captured first place for their Chapter Web Page and first place for Chapter Activities at the 103rd National Block and Bridle Convention, Jefferson City, MO, April 11-14, hosted by the Mizzou Block and Bridle Club.
Read MoreApril 23, 2024
Penn State Students Participate in 2024 North American Dairy Challenge
Five Penn State students traveled to Visalia, CA for the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, (NAIDC) held April 4-6. Team members were Lynneah Brady, Big Cove Tannery, PA; Kendal Jenkins, Columbia Crossroads, PA; Justin Merry, Arkport, NY; and Paige Peiffer, Lebanon, PA. Ashton Stiles, Blairsville, PA, participated in the contest as part of an aggregate team.
Read MoreApril 23, 2024
Penn State Extension introduces canine program to support dog breeders
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has announced the recent hire of Abby Hodder as the assistant clinical professor of canine behavioral welfare in the Department of Animal Science. Hodder’s onboarding marks the beginning of a Penn State Extension canine program designed to support professional dog breeders through education, outreach and applied research focused on canine behavior and welfare.
Read MoreApril 12, 2024
Probiotic feed additive boosts growth, health in poultry in place of antibiotics
Antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly serious threat for public health, and the use of antimicrobials in livestock feed has been a major contributing factor in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance to many drugs, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Led by Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes, a Penn State research team conducted a study of natural feed additives that are promising alternatives to substitute for antimicrobial growth promoters.
Read MoreUpcoming Events
22nd Annual Penn State Equine Science Showcase and Quarter Horse Sale Preview
April 27, 2024
Snider Agricultural Arena
Automating pest monitoring with light and sound
April 30, 2024
106 AVBS
Evaluation of Corn Silage Quality and Its Effects on dairy cow performance
May 6, 2024
106 AVBS
Department of Animal Science
Address
109 AVBS BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802
- Email AskDAS@psu.edu
- Office 814-865-1362
- Fax 814-863-6042