U of S to launch new animal bioscience degree fall 2013

The new degree program has been designed to attract students who are interested in domestic animals, in completing veterinary medicine entrance requirements or in pursuing careers in a broad range of fields in which knowledge of domestic animal biology is a major asset.
The nature of animal science has expanded significantly in the past 10 years with an increasing demand for students trained to fill jobs in biomedical sciences, veterinary medicine, pet nutrition and care, equine and research animal care, animal health and environmental sciences.
"The College of Agriculture and Bioresources is committed to developing programs to meet the changing needs of students and industry," said Murray Drew, associate dean academic, College of Agriculture and Bioresources. "Along with new programs in agribusiness and renewable resource management, the animal bioscience program will attract a new cohort of students and enrich the educational experience of all students in the college."
While food-animal agriculture will remain a major focus of the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the University of Saskatchewan, the new degree program in animal bioscience will draw on the broad and expanded expertise of animal science faculty to create complementary opportunities for students interested in animal biology.
"Students enrolled in the new animal bioscience degree will have more opportunity to study companion animals, animal behavior, animal and environmental interactions, nutrition, genetics, physiology, toxicology, and health with much less focus on food-animal production offered under the existing program," said Andrew Van Kessel, department head of Animal and Poultry Science. "We expect this program will be of great interest to students from both rural and urban backgrounds."
A bachelor of animal science (BSA) has been a popular program in the college for years because it provides students with a strong disciplinary foundation in animal biology with application ranging from genetic control of behaviour to formulation of diets for better nutrition and health. The addition of the BSc degree allows students greater opportunity to specialize in their chosen field. BSA graduates will be more suited to careers in food-animal agriculture, and BSc graduates will be more suited to careers in the pet food and care industry, biomedical science, and environment-related fields.
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For more information, contact:
Kira Glasscock, College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6873
kira.glasscock@usask.ca