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The Department of Animal Science, originally
the Division of Animal Husbandry, originated
in Berkeley in 1901. The division moved to
Davis in 1908 and 1909 and later became the
Department of Animal Husbandry. The
department’s name changed to Animal Science
in 1967, in recognition of an emphasis on
the basic biology of domestic animals as
well as animal husbandry in our teaching and
research programs. In 1998, faculty, staff
and students from the Department of Avian
Sciences transferred to the Department of
Animal Science, adding avian species to the
department's missions.
The Animal Science Department at UC Davis
is the only such department in the UC
system. Department members engage in
teaching, research, and outreach related to
the biology and production of domestic
animals. |
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Their primary focus is on
animals used to produce food and fiber,
including freshwater and marine species, but
the department's programs also feature
horses, companion animals such as dogs, cats
and birds, laboratory animals (rabbits,
hamsters, rats and mice) and some wild
species.
The department has one of the largest
undergraduate enrollments at UC Davis, with
approximately 1025 students currently
enrolled in four undergraduate majors,
Animal Science, Avian Sciences, Animal
Science and Management, and Animal Biology
(an inter-departmental major). Graduates
often go into positions in the livestock
industry, teaching, extension and biomedical
research. Many go on to graduate and
professional schools.
For the 2006-07 academic year, 120 graduate
students are conducting their research in
the department including 63 PhD and 57 MS
students and representing 13 different
graduate groups.
Disciplines represented among the Department
of Animal Science's 41 teaching and research
faculty include behavior/welfare, ecology,
genetics/genomics, immunology, microbiology,
nutrition, physiology and toxicology. We
have a number of research projects related
to sustainable agriculture and the
development of science-based knowledge to
contribute to understanding and mitigating
environmental impact of production systems
in an effort to assist the livestock
industry and the state’s citizens. Our
scientists use modern techniques of
molecular and cellular biology but also
focus on whole-animal biology and problems
related to animal production.
Our species of study include aquatic
(sturgeon, tilapia, salmonids, crustaceans),
avian (poultry, parrots, zebra finch), dairy
and beef cattle, sheep, goat, equine, and
swine. In addition studies are conducted
with rodent and fish model system prior to
translation to large animal research.
The departmental research
results in more than hundred publications a
year. Animal Science
professors also conduct collaborative and
multidisciplinary research with colleagues
in other departments in the College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
College of Engineering, the School of
Veterinary Medicine, and the School of
Medicine.
Currently, nine Cooperative Extension
specialists work with livestock, birds and
aquatic animals. Farm advisors in county
Cooperative Extension offices are key
members of the UC team in the animal sciences.
Dr. Mary E. Delany, Chair
530-752-1250
medelany@ucdavis.edu |
