Careers in Agriculture

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Careers in Agriculture
Animal Scientist
By Dr. Frank Flanders and Jennie Simpson Georgia
Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia
Department of Education June 2005
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What Is an Animal Scientist?

• Animal scientists study topics such as breeding,
  genetics, and environmental conditions to provide
  for animal needs.
• The goal of scientists studying animals for
  consumption is to raise healthy animals at the
  lowest cost possible.
• Most of the work of animal scientists concerns
  livestock, such as pigs, cows, chickens, and
  horses.
• Animal science covers all aspects of animals
  from their diets to physiology to consumption.

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Duties of Animal Scientists

• Study one or more specific areas of animal
  science, such as nutritional needs or genetics
• Design experiments to answer research questions
• Train assistants in research methods, testing,
  and laboratory procedures
• Analyze data and interpret results
• Write technical reports to document research and
  findings
• Use computers to organize, analyze, and store
  data
• Attend seminars and read journals to keep
  up-to-date
• Work with producers and consumers in some
  positions

These are some common duties of the profession.
This list is not all inclusive, and duties can
vary greatly within the profession.
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Becoming an Animal Scientist

• Must be very exact in their work and be
  attentive to details.
• Need to be able to work independently or with a
  group.
• Ability in public speaking is important because
  some animal scientists are often called upon to
  present at conferences and to producer groups.
• Writing skills are important to publish research
  findings and collaborate with others.
• Must like making decisions and trying out ideas
  on their own.
• Plan their work and research with little
  supervision.
• Have investigative interests and enjoy work
  activities that have to do with ideas and
  thinking.
• Enjoy work duties that include practical,
  hands-on problems and solutions.

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Education

• All states have a land-grant college that offers
  agricultural science degrees
• Many other colleges and universities also offer
  agricultural science degrees or some agricultural
  science courses
• Undergraduate agricultural science curriculum
  includes communications, mathematics, economics,
  business, and physical and life sciences courses
• Other courses include animal breeding,
  reproductive physiology, nutrition, and meats and
  muscle biology
• Graduate students specialize in a subfield of
  animal science, such as animal breeding and
  genetics, meat science, equine, etc. 
• Teaching and research faculty positions at
  universities requires completion of a PhD program

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Employment

• In the year 2002, animal scientists were paid an
  average of 48,670
• The lowest 10 percent earned less than 28,750,
  and the highest 10 percent earned more than
  85,460
• Animal scientists work for dog food companies,
  breeders' services, farms and ranches, supply
  companies, feed companies, poultry companies,
  etc.
• A traditional place of employment, and one most
  people may think of first, is at research
  universities.

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Related Careers

• Agricultural Education Teacher
• Artificial Inseminator
• Biological Scientist
• Corporative Extension Agent
• Dairy Farmer
• Game Farmer
• Poultry Scientist

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Career Resources
American Association of Laboratory Animal Science
(AALAS)9190 Crestwyn Hills DriveMemphis, TN
38125-8538 Internet http//www.aalas.org/
American Society of Animal Science 1111 N. Dunlap
Ave Savoy, IL 61874
Internet http//www.asas.org/