Animal Scientists
Animal scientists research the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
An animal scientist plays a crucial role in maintaining the nation’s food supply.
An animal science career is an important area involving research on animals, their productivity, health, diseases etc. With the focus on food production, in an animal scientist career, you will work on the nutrition, reproduction, diseases, genes, growth, and development of animals.
An animal scientist’s job description typically involves conducting research and experiments concerning animal nutrition, developing ways to improve the quantity and quality of farm animals and reporting research findings to the scientific community, food producers, and the public.
How to become an animal scientist? For that, one needs at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college. Some earn a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Students benefit by gaining a strong foundation in their field, with an emphasis on internships, research opportunities and teamwork. Studies in animal science open the door to many different in-demand, high-paying animals scientist salary careers such as conservation officers, academia, veterinarians, animal trainers, zoologists and food industry professionals.
For a successful animal science career, you should independently develop your research methods and have a great command of both verbal and written communication skills.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Ph.D. Veterinary Science
- M.V.Sc Veterinary Medicine
- B.V.Sc & AH Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
Tasks
- Conduct research concerning animal nutrition, breeding, or management to improve products or processes.
- Advise producers about improved products and techniques that could enhance their animal production efforts.
- Study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials.
- Study effects of management practices, processing methods, feed, or environmental conditions on quality and quantity of animal products, such as eggs and milk.
- Develop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of animals.
- Research and control animal selection and breeding practices to increase production efficiency and improve animal quality.
- Determine genetic composition of animal populations and heritability of traits, using principles of genetics.
- Crossbreed animals with existing strains or cross strains to obtain new combinations of desirable characteristics.
- Write up or orally communicate research findings to the scientific community, producers, and the public.
Progression Routes
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