Greetings from the Animal Science staff at Iowa State University. This letter is intended to give you an introduction to the Animal Science Department and its programs. Please also consider attending one of our "Experience ISU" sessions to get a real feel for student life on campus.

The Animal Science Department is home to the degrees in Animal Science, Dairy Science, and a pre-veterinary preparatory course. All are quite science oriented, but also cover the basics of animal management. Our programs focus on domestic animals, to include: companion animals, beef, dairy, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine. Although a strong basic core of agricultural, natural, and physical sciences are required, about one-fourth of your courses are "free electives" to provide great flexibility in building individual programs. You will counsel with your personal academic advisor on selection of these electives to tailor the degree program to your goals.

This flexibility allows our students to prepare for careers in a very diverse array of agricultural pursuits. Directional studies plans have been developed to aid the student in career related coursework selection. Among the directional studies plans are: animal production and general agribusiness, agribusiness and finance, animal sales and promotion, food and meat science, pre-veterinary medicine, biotechnology, pre-law and medicine, international agriculture. As you can see the curriculum allows great diversity in direction of study and career development. This is extremely important in today's expanding market for graduates of Animal Science.

A college education comes partly from coursework and partly from leadership building extra curricular activities. Because of students' needs for development of leadership and decision-making skills, the department sponsors judging teams, a Block and Bridle Club, and a Dairy Science Club. We also host office space for the Preveterinary Medicine Club, Equestrian Club, and Rodeo Club. Through their many contests, activities, trips and social events, students can develop strong interpersonal and leadership skills necessary in the job market.

I hope this letter has been helpful in describing our programs at ISU. Please do not hesitate to contact me with further questions. You may find out more about us by visiting our Web site: http://www.ans.iastate.edu/ or our catalog materials at: http://www.iastate.edu/~catalog/. You may also access the ISU Admissions Web site for applications and information at: http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/. If you would like more general information on financial aid, see http://www.collegeplanning.org/.

Sincerely,

M. Douglas Kenealy
Professor
Department of Animal Science
119 Kildee Hall
tel: 515.294.3161
Email: dkenealy@iastate.edu