The Department offers the baccalaureate degree with majors in Animal or Range Science. Animal Science students have a choice of Business/Production or Science emphases.  Range Science students have a choice of three emphases (Rangeland Resource Conservation, Range Livestock Production or Rangeland Ecology and Habitat Management). The Department has 16 full time faculty members involved in the teaching program. There are nearly 300 undergraduates enrolled and over 1500 students are served yearly in 27 undergraduate courses offered by the Department.

Mission:
The mission of the undergraduate teaching faculty is to provide students with a high quality professional educational experience that encourages creative thinking and develops and expands knowledge and skills in the fields of animal and range sciences.

Careers:
Majoring in animal science will help prepare you for a career in the animal industry, whether in livestock production, livestock products, or the support and distribution services for livestock.  There are increasing career opportunities in ag-related businesses ranging from meat and feed industries to communications.

National studies estimate that in the next ten to 15 years, "59,000 graduates in food and agriculture will be needed annually, but 13 percent of the jobs could be unfilled, or be staffed by unqualified individuals."  With this growth, the need for highly skilled individuals in science and technology becomes more important.

A degree in Animal Science can open many paths for the graduating student.  Graduates in the bachelor's degree program have careers in agribusiness, government agencies, and teaching, as well as in livestock production on the farm or ranch.  A number of graduates have also lower positions with local banks, handling agricultural credit.  You can learn more about our alumni and the positions that they hold at our alumni page.

The Animal and Range Sciences Department is rich with experienced faculty members and has developed many well known graduates in the livestock industry and in natural resource management fields. Academically, SDSU Animal and Range Sciences graduates are well prepared through hands-on experiences in the classroom, on fields trips, and at our purebred beef, sheep, and swine teaching units, as well as at Oak Lake Field Station. The undergraduate program is very flexible, and allows students to obtain minors, or second majors in other college programs. The Animal and Range Sciences Department sponsors many clubs and activities that promote leadership and student involvement. Because of the balanced approach the faculty takes to education, experience, and involvement, South Dakota State University Animal and Range Sciences graduates are continually sought after for internships, employment, and graduate school.

Last Modified:  June 06, 2008