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Students standing in front of the swine unit

Department of Animal Science

Building the educational foundation for future leaders in the animal industry

Tomorrow's animal and natural resources industries leaders gain the educational foundation they need in the Department of Animal Science. These future leaders study under a dynamic faculty who not only teach but also set the pace with important research and aggressive outreach via Extension.

Throughout our curriculum, a student-centered focus allows ample room for growth and success, including scholarship opportunities and several enterprising clubs.

With our multi-disciplinary approaches towards production efficiency, product enhancement and natural resources management, both our undergraduate and our graduate students gain strong skill sets. Graduates of our program see career options unfold in a diverse and growing range of employment areas, from animal-related industries to natural resources management.

Many graduate students devise their own research or partner with faculty in our many facilities and laboratories, to solve the challenges of 21st century animal agriculture and environmental stewardship.

Animal Science Department Newsletter is archived on

Department of Animal Science News

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SDSU Sheep Research and Teaching Unit to host open house March 16

South Dakota State University’s Department of Animal Science is hosting the SDSU Sheep Research and Teaching Unit open house from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16.
Tagged cattle standing in the field.

SDSU students selected for Undergraduate Beef Cattle Research Grant

Two South Dakota State University students were recently selected to receive a $2,500 grant sponsored by the South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation to support two undergraduate beef cattle research projects.

SDSU faculty recognized for excellence

The annual South Dakota State University Celebration of Faculty Excellence recognized 30 faculty members, researchers and scientists Tuesday. The event honors faculty members in the university's colleges for outstanding research, teaching and service.