Biotechnology Concentration

All Animal Science majors must satisfy a set of basic science core courses and the Animal Science core courses. The students should declare their intention to follow the Biotechnology concentration at the beginning of their junior year. The specific offerings of this concentration commence in the Fall of this year and continue through graduation:

• In the Fall of the Junior year, students are required to take AnSci 290F, Fundamental Veterinary and Biomedical Laboratory (4 credits).
• In the Spring of the Junior year, students take AnSci 385, Introduction to Biotech lab (4 credits), AnSci 390B (to be renumbered as 382), Small Animal Nursing (4 credits), and AnSci 397I, Livestock Diseases, Diagnosis and Treatment lab (1 credit).
• In the Fall of the Senior year, students perform Independent Study (AnSci 396) in a research laboratory in the Department (3 to 6 credits). Students can choose to continue in the Research laboratory performing Independent study (AnSci 496) in the Spring of their senior year. These students will be bound by rules for Independent study, such as the presentation of Abstracts/posters during Science Day.
• During Senior year, students take AnSci 455, Research Animal Management (6 credits). The course will be offered in 2 sessions, one in the Fall and the continuation in the Spring, each worth 3 credits. The second session of this course will have a practical component of training in Animal Care, in coordination with the Office of Research and Animal Care. In order to receive a grade for the course, a student is required to complete both semesters.

These specialty courses emphasize research animal management and welfare, as well as laboratory courses in biotechnology, immunology, and microbiology. Students have the opportunity to work in the laboratories of nationally and internationally recognized scientists studying immunology, reproduction and development, genetics and toxicology. The department houses an impressive array of research equipment and facilities including histology and sophisticated microscopy facilities, molecular biology labs for identifying and quantifying animal and human gene expression, sterile tissue culture facilities and micro-injection facilities, and a Bio-safety level 3 containment facility. Research in departmental laboratories is targeted to lab animal models including rodents and frogs but also to cows, pigs, sheep, horses and alpaca.

Proposed schedule of classes:

Research Clubs & Activites

There are a number of opportunities for students to develop in this field by interacting with other undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the research setting. First there are Journal Clubs held weekly within the department in two areas of emphasis. Most labs also hold weekly meetings where students have the opportunity to present their research to other lab members and once a year the department holds a Science Day where students present their work to the faculty and students of the Department. Students who achieve a significant amount in their research have the opportunity to present at regional, state and national scientific meetings where they interact with other undergraduate students, graduate students, veterinarians and faculty including those from colleges of veterinary medicine in the USA and abroad. In the summer, as well as during the academic year, there are a number of fellowship programs that provide monetary reward to research students who are accepted into the program along with the opportunity to visit laboratories throughout the campus and meet and interact with other students and faculty in those labs.