Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A land-grant institution
Animal and Poultry Sciences
In the Animal and Poultry Sciences undergraduate program, students study horses, beef cattle, sheep, poultry, and swine. The curriculum includes courses on nutrition, breeding, management, and reproduction of livestock, using modern, scientific principles and technology. The program's strength lies in the unique combination of strong science coursework and applied, hands-on experience with farm animals and poultry.
The Animal and Poultry Sciences Undergraduate Major at Virginia Tech
To address the wide variety of students' interests and career choices, the Animal and Poultry Sciences program offers three degree options: Science, Pre-Vet, and Production-Business; and three emphasis areas: Livestock, Equine, and Poultry. Students choose an option and an emphasis that fits their career goals.
Science or Pre-Vet Option - Students prepare for professional programs such as veterinary or human medicine or post-graduate education in the fields of nutrition, physiology, genetics, behavior, or biotechnology. They receive state-of-the-art training in molecular and cellular biology and develop knowledge in the areas of food safety and environmental stewardship to meet tomorrow's challenges in Virginia and around the globe.
Production-Business Option - Students gain the knowledge needed to own and manage livestock, equine, or poultry enterprises. Graduates work in the sales and marketing of animals or associated products such as feed and pharmaceuticals. They pursue careers in public relations or with commodity groups. Other graduates assist and teach others through rewarding, people-oriented careers in agri-science or government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Academic Preparation
Admission to this program is handled through the University's Admissions Office. To be a competitive candidate for freshman admission, prospective students should follow the guidelines listed on the Admissions website. Students seeking to transfer after one year of college work should have a 3.0 grade point average and successfully complete transferable course work in English, mathematics, and appropriate lab sciences. Students planning to transfer under the Guaranteed Admissions Articulation Agreement between Virginia community colleges and the College should follow the academic guidelines noted under College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on the Admissions Articulation Agreements webpage.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Production-Business Option may elect to pursue a career in animal agriculture, such as operating a farm with responsibility for the feeding, management, and breeding of farm animals or poultry. Or they may work in sales and marketing of livestock and agricultural products including feed, supplements, and equipment for handling livestock, or in the sale of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Public relations positions in areas like breed associations, livestock markets, or farm cooperatives are available to graduates. Other graduates may work with banks or state and federal lending agencies. Government agencies such as the USDA and the Soil Conservation Service hire qualified students. Still other graduates find careers as high-school agriculture teachers or as Cooperative Extension agents, who advise farmers and consumers on current practices in livestock, poultry, and equine production, management, and marketing.
Many students who choose the Science Option will pursue graduate research degrees in nutrition, physiology, or genetics, or a career in human or veterinary medicine. Animal and Poultry Sciences is one of the best majors to prepare for veterinary school because of the natural tie between science and animals. It is also possible, and relatively easy, to double major or minor with biology or biochemistry in preparation for employment in a research laboratory, either in private industry or with a government agency.
Students electing to follow the Science Option can receive state-of-the-art training in molecular and cellular biology that will make them very competitive for careers in this exciting area. Career possibilities include laboratory technicians in universities, industry research and development, zoos, hospitals, forensics labs and research institutes; quality control technicians in a range of industries, from food companies to environmental health and safety agencies; bioinformatics; imaging specialist; and research associate. Many of the students in this option will pursue graduate education in biotechnology, molecular genetics, or a related field.
Beyond the Classroom
- Student organizations such as the Block and Bridle Club, the Equestrian Club, and the Poultry Club provide opportunities for service, leadership, and industry networking.
- Students conducting undergraduate research projects work one-on-one with a faculty mentor and may present their results at professional meetings and have them published in scientific journals.
- Highly competitive intercollegiate livestock, equine, and poultry judging teams offer experience to sharpen evaluation and communications skills.
- Intercollegiate equestrian teams allow beginning through advanced riders opportunities to compete at the local, regional, and national levels.
- Students hone their skills and make important career connections through internships.
- Students gain invaluable global experience and earn credit through education abroad opportunities.
- The department's award-winning advising program offers outstanding academic advising and career counseling.
- Independent study offers students the opportunity to delve more deeply into a subject or explore areas not presented in regular coursework.
Facilities
A new, state-of-the-art teaching arena is available for classes, horse shows, and other student-oriented events. Bench labs in Litton Reaves Hall are used for physiology labs, and most lectures meet in Litton Reaves Hall classrooms. In addition, many of the hands-on labs with animals are taught on site at the various livestock centers. Students participating in undergraduate research projects, internships, or the department's volunteer program may work in research labs on campus or at one of several agricultural research stations around Virginia.
Overview of Course Work
All APSC options and emphases have a strong foundation in the life sciences coupled with hands-on work with animals. All APSC majors complete a year of biology, math, and chemistry, along with other university, college, and departmental requirements. Those interested in pre-veterinary medicine also take organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. In-major requirements for all APSC students include a progression of courses from Introduction to Animal and Poultry Sciences, to discipline courses (Animal Physiology and Anatomy, Animal Breeding and Genetics, Animal Nutrition and Feeding, and Physiology of Reproduction) to a choice of capstone courses in each of the species areas (poultry, beef, horse, sheep, and swine). Other in-major courses include a freshman survey, seminar, and an upper-level business course. Each option-emphasis combination has other specific requirements, but students have enough flexibility to tailor their degree program to meet their career choice and take advantage of other academic opportunities. For additional information on the specific curricula for each option and emphasis, please refer to the Animal and Poultry Sciences website.
For more information Contact:
Central Advising Office
Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences
3400 Litton Reaves Hall (0306)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-6936
apsc@vt.edu