Department of Animal Science

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John Jaeger, Department Head
Jeff Clapper, Professor/Graduate Coordinator
Department of Animal Science
Animal Science Complex 103A
605-688-5168

The Department of Animal Science offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Animal Science, or the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biological Sciences. An Animal Science Certificate is also offered. Faculty and graduate students are actively involved in basic and/or applied research in the fields of nutrition, reproductive physiology, animal breeding and genetics, meat science, gastrointestinal microbiology and animal production.

The Department is committed to providing graduate students with quality educational and research experiences and preparing them to meet the challenges of a competitive job market upon graduation.

Graduate Faculty

Amanda Blair, Professor
Rebecca C. Bott, Dean and Professor
Jameson Brennan, Assistant Professor
Kristi Cammack, Professor
Joseph Cassady, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council Endowed Dean and Professor
Jeffrey A. Clapper, Professor
Robert Cushman, Adjunct
Jon De Jong, Adjunct
Jessica Drum, Assistant Professor
Kelly Froehlich, Assistant Professor
Richard Funston, Adjunct
Wes Gentry, Adjunct
Michael Gonda, Professor
Judson Grubbs, Associate Professor
Kristin Hales-Paxton, Adjunct
John Jaeger, Professor
John Killefer, Professor
Sarah Klopateck, Adjunct
Larry Kuehn, Adjunct
Crystal L. Levesque, Associate Professor
Mike MacNeil, Adjunct
Tara McDaneld, Adjunct
Hector Menendez, Assistant Professor
Ana Baiao Menezes, Assistant Professor
Steven Moeller, Adjunct
Richard Nicolai, Adjunct
Rosemarie Nold, Assistant Department Head and Professor
Kenneth C. Olson, Professor
George A. Perry, Adjunct
Warren Rusche, Assistant Professor
Ryan Samuel, Assistant Professor
Chris Schauer, Adjunct
Zachary Smith, Assistant Professor
Benoit St-Pierre, Associate Professor
Robert C. Thaler, Farm Credit Services of American Endowed Chair in Swine Production and Distinguished Professor
Keith R. Underwood, Associate Professor
Zhongde, Wang, Adjunct
Julie A. Walker, Professor
Eric Weaver, Assistant Professor
Cody L. Wright, Professor

Programs

Master’s Degrees

• Animal Science (M.S.)  

Doctoral Degrees

• Animal Science (Ph.D.)  

Certificates

• Animal Science Certificate  

Facilities and Services

Training and experience in research methods are among the most important facets of a well-rounded graduate student education. Excellent facilities and large herds and flocks of livestock are available for Animal Science research at South Dakota State University. Modern research facilities, including state-of-the-art facilities for cow-calf management and ruminant nutrition, along with new swine education and research facilities, both on-site and off-site, were completed in 2016.

Student Engagement and Support Opportunities

The department conducts cutting edge research that creates opportunities for graduate students. Qualified students may apply for a Graduate Research Assistant position.

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