University of Connecticut Message from the Department Head

Welcome to the Department of Animal Science at the University of Connecticut. I am pleased that you chose to enroll with us. The faculty look forward to providing you with a challenging and stimulating curriculum and hopefully some fun as well. The Animal Science Undergraduate Handbook has been completely revised and expanded.

The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with a comprehensive reference for the Department of Animal Science, its teaching faculty and advisors. It describes the courses offered by the department in both the Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science Degree programs together with suggested course options you might consider taking if you have a specific career objective in mind. However, do not let these suggestions substitute for frequent discussions with your advisor. The department does an excellent job of advising undergraduates and you should feel free to discuss problems/questions with your advisor at any time. You will also find descriptions of our Dairy Management, Food Science, and Therapeutic Riding minors, details on scholarships offered through the department, and information on the Animal Science student clubs. Looking forward to the future, we have included a section on the questions commonly asked by students contemplating veterinary/graduate school and some suggestions as to future careers and companies that employ animal science students in New England.

Certain aspects of Animal Science have changed dramatically over the last 25 years as the development of new laboratory techniques has led to an increased understanding of animal physiology, metabolism, nutrition, genetics and reproduction. It has been important to incorporate these advances into our teaching programs while at the same time maintaining the core courses that have always formed the base of a strong Animal Science curriculum.

These are exciting times to be an animal scientist. Issues relating to the environment, food safety, animal welfare and the application of biotechnology to animal production are constantly being debated by a concerned public. There is a need for individuals who are qualified to investigate and comment on these subjects in a rational fashion and for this, and other reasons, there are increasing employment opportunities for animal scientists.

Whether you are a freshman or one of our continuing students, I wish you the best of luck in your academic pursuits.

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