1. Careers in Agriculture By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Jennie Simpson Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START Animal Scientist

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Related Careers Agricultural Education Teacher Artificial Inseminator Biological Scientist Corporative Extension Agent Dairy Farmer Game Farmer Poultry Scientist

8. Career Resources American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) 9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive Memphis, 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/