Postgraduate Opportunities in Animal Science
Why undertake Advanced Study in Animal Science?
New Zealand's economic wealth is based largely on the export of quality animal products and live animals, including not only traditional domesticated livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, but also deer, goats and fish. Animals also fulfil other important roles such as: companions for people, partners in recreation, models for human nutritional and medical research, and as part of the natural environment.
Animal industries face numerous ongoing challenges including the need to develop high quality animal products (both food and fibre) tailored to meet the requirements of, and be acceptable to, the consumer. Continuing improvements in animal performance and productivity are required to maintain international competitiveness.
Other important issues for people working with animals include improving the health and welfare of production, companion and recreational animals and the adaptation of new technologies for the benefit of animals.
Study in Animal Science is designed to produce graduates with a sound understanding of how animals function and behave, and who have the ability to develop further areas of specialised interest. This will be achieved by: working with animals; examining, interpreting, discussing and challenging existing research evidence; conducting personal work which is original and innovative, and debating the ethical, political and economic consequences of important issues.
After completing the above, you will have gained confidence in your abilities to become a leader in the expansion of knowledge in, and contribute informed opinion to, the discipline of animal science.
Areas of Activity and Strength:
Nutrition of ruminant and monogastric animals; Animal genetics and breeding; Reproductive physiology; Lactational physiology; Animal metabolism; Animal growth and development; Extensive and intensive animal production systems; Animal production systems based on grazing animals; Animal health, behaviour and welfare; Application of new technologies for the benefit of animals; Quality and safety of animal products; Modelling of animal systems
Career opportunities for graduates in Animal Science:
- Animal Breeders - developing selection plans for the genetic improvement of animals (e.g. livestock, horses, guide dogs) based on modern genetic technologies.
- Animal Nutritionists - evaluating the nutritional quality of feeds and the formulation of balanced least-cost diets for production and companion animals.
- Livestock Specialists - developing and implementing programmes for the evaluation of superior animals and their import to, or export from, New Zealand.
- Reproductive Technologists - developing new techniques such as embryo transfer, sexing and cloning embryos, or semen sexing, and their application to improving reproductive performance.
- Animal Scientists and Technicians - conducting research aimed at improving the productivity, health, and welfare of animals, or using animals as models for humans in medical research.
- Animal Product Scientists - researching ways to improve the quality and safety of animal products such as wool, meat and milk.
- Teachers - schools, polytechnics, universities and private training institutions.
- Merchandising Representatives - for example to companies trading in animal feeds or pharmaceuticals.
- Consultants - to industry groups such as Livestock Improvement Corporation or to private companies that may be either domestically- or internationally-based.
- Production Experts - involved in enterprises such as corporate farming or livestock rearing.
Graduate Subject Advisor for Animal Science:
Professor Kevin Stafford
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences
For Initial Enquiries, please contact:
The Research and Postgraduate Studies Office
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences
Email: ivabs.postgrads@massey.ac.nz
Phone +64 6 350 4473
Fax: +64 6 350 5699
