About Us

Welcome to the Animal Science Department at Iowa State University

  • 100+
    Faculty and Staff
  • 99%
    Career Placement Rate

The Animal Science Department at Iowa State University invites you to get to know our outstanding faculty and staff and current students to become familiar with our diverse programs in the animal sciences. Our departmental programs integrate science, practice, and innovation to serve the immediate needs of animal industries. Moreover, our faculty direct programs that provide new knowledge and information to confront the challenges in the future.

Our commitment is to educate and prepare students for productive and gratifying careers in animal production, veterinary medicine and the diverse areas of animal business and industry. Instruction, research and outreach programs are led by 42 faculty, many of whom are internationally recognized, with expertise in breeding and genetics, genomics, nutrition, physiology, meat science and meat processing, animal well-being and management. These programs and disciplinary focus areas include beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, swine, sheep, companion animals, laboratory animals and zoo animals.

Graduates of our program are knowledgeable about sustainable animal production practices that also ensure animal health and well-being and stewardship of natural resources. Our graduates play key roles in meeting the employment opportunities and needs in all areas of animal science. Student placement of our animal science and dairy science majors and pre-veterinary students is 99%.

Alumni spotlight

Our goal is to enrich the lives of humans through animals. If your goal is to work with animals and have a fulfilling career, we can help you achieve your goal. Contact us at 515-294-2160  or answeb@iastate.edu.

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History of Animal Science Department

Follow along the pivotal moments of our department's development with historical photos beginning in 1901.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Animal Science is to educate and develop students with life skills and knowledge and to engage and serve the public and the people who produce animals and animal products.

We will achieve our mission through discovery, development, and dissemination of knowledge related to basic animal biology, applied animal science, and animal products, in order to promote economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally sustainable systems.

We will enhance human well-being through nutritious, desirable, and safe animal-derived products.  We will improve human health through the study of animal models. We will also foster the enhancement of human well-being though interaction with companion animals.

Vision

We, the faculty, staff, and students, aspire to be the premier source of:

  • basic knowledge of animal biology,
  • professionally trained individuals in animal science and animal biology,
  • assistance for producers and agribusinesses,
  • information to support the contributions of animals to society,
  • knowledge of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, and
  • technology to produce desirable, safe, and nutritious animal-derived foods.

We will achieve this vision through interactive learning, superior scholarship, and client-focused engagement with students, agricultural professionals and consumers.

Enriching lives through animals.

Impact report preview

Download Our Impact Report

See how Iowa State University's Animal Science Department compares. Review the latest impact report. 

Join our Team

Visit the Workday job board and view the available job opportunities at Iowa State University.

Schedule a Campus Visit

If you're a prospective undergraduate student, schedule a visit to tour our campus.

Contact Us

For directions and department visiting information, review our Contact Us page.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

View our department's DEI vision, mission and resources available. 

Governance Documents