home departments & majors departments Animal Science

Turn your love of working with animals into a meaningful career by becoming part of one of the largest, most dynamic Animal Science programs in North America. Unlimited career opportunities allow the Animal Science major to be the most flexible curriculum in agriculture. Our world-class curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers from managing equine breeding facilities, exotic and zoo animal management, companion animal pharmaceutical sales, and value chain marketing to biotechnology, animal health, and the biomedical field. 

	Department Website: http://animalscience.calpoly.edu Department Chair:   Dr. Andrew J. Thulin, animalscience@calpoly.edu Phone:   (805) 756-2419 Fax:   (805) 756-5069 College of Agriculture E-mail Address:   cafes@calpoly.edu

We continue to be one of the top programs for animal production, supported by extensive facilities for equine, beef, and poultry, that offer second to none in "hands on" learning for students. In addition to being a key supplier of high quality students to veterinary and graduate schools throughout the United States and internationally, Cal Poly Animal Science graduates are employed by hundreds of companies, including:

• Genentech, Inc.
• Amgen, Inc.
• San Diego Zoo
• Stanford University Hospital
• Eli Lilly Co.
• Harris Ranch
• Cargill, Inc.
• Flag Is Up Farms
• Mid-State Bank
• Numerous Veterinary Hospitals
• Bayer, Inc.
• Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.
• Foster Farms
• Mars, Inc. / Kal Kan Foods, Inc.

The Animal Science major at Cal Poly provides young people the knowledge and understanding to apply new technologies for the fast-changing, technology-driven world in which we live. We focus on helping students build a plan for personal and professional growth. Our students develop not only the ability to apply and manage technology, but they also learn the "portable skills" such as being a team player, ability to solve problems, professional communications skills, and persuasion and leadership skills. Most importantly, we teach students how to learn as they will likely change career paths many times throughout their career.

Students enrolled in the Animal Science major may choose one of the following career elective areas, or they can define their own area of specialization:

• Veterinary Medicine / Graduate School
• Agribusiness 
• Biotechnology
• Zoo and Exotic Animal Care
• Meat Food Science
• Resource Management
• Animal Production
• Communication or Teaching Ag
• Poultry Management
• Student Defined Specialization

The Animal Science Department offers the following major degree programs:

• B.S. Animal Science

Also offered is the following minor program:

• Poultry Management

For graduate students the Animal Science Department coordinates with the College of Agriculture to offer a Master of Science in Agriculture with a specialization in Animal Science.

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