Program Coordinator/Contact
Rosie Nold, Professor and Assistant Department Head
Department of Animal Science
Animal Science Complex 116
605-688-5459
Program Information
The Animal Science program provides instruction in livestock breeding, feeding, management, selection, evaluation, and marketing, along with meat science, and equine studies. Courses emphasize the principles of genetics, nutrition, physiology, and meats as they affect production and management of livestock and animal products. Beef cattle, horses, sheep, and swine are the primary species discussed in courses.
The specializations allow students to focus their studies on Industry Relations, Production Management, Science, or Food Animal Health. The Production Management Specialization provides flexibility for students to complete courses and minors in related areas of interest. The Science and Food Animal Health Specializations are designed to meet course requirements of the Pre-Veterinary Medicine curriculum for the SDSU Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine and some other veterinary schools. In the Industry Relations Specialization students gain the fundamentals of animal science disciplines, paired with training in communication skills and leadership to enhance their opportunities in many animal and animal products based careers.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Animal Science major with a Food Animal Health Specialization, students will:
- Acquire knowledge of the core sciences and best management practices that are the foundation of animal science and husbandry.
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills using a variety of mediums and with various audience types and apply techniques to critically evaluate communication strategies regarding animal agriculture.
- Demonstrate the ability to function as an effective member of a team.
- Develop fact-based comparisons of both sides of contemporary issues that impact diversity, inclusion, equity, and professional ethics as related to animal agriculture.
- Interpret, critically evaluate, and apply information in order to recognize problems and create solutions.
Admission & Eligibility Requirements
SDSU Professional (DVM) Program in Veterinary Medicine VFAST (Veterinary Food Animal Scholar Track) (Beginning Fall 2022)
Who is eligible for VFAST?
Eligible students must be/have/complete:
- Enrolled in South Dakota State University as a full-time student pursuing an Animal Science major.
- Experience working, caring for, and/or volunteering with food animals, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, etc.
- Demonstrated a firm commitment to practice rural and food animal medicine upon graduation from the SDSU-U of M 2 + 2 Professional (DVM) Program in Veterinary Medicine. (Rural Veterinary Medicine is the practice of veterinary medicine in non-metropolitan communities (where agriculture is an essential component of the economy), in a manner that addresses the needs of a local community across a spectrum of health care among the animal populations present.)
- Complete the VFAST application. Applications are accepted one time per year and are due by the application deadline in the spring semester. Applicants with a strong academic record and extensive food animal related experience will be asked to participate in an admissions interview.
In addition, students must meet the following:
- Will have at least two additional semesters of enrollment at SDSU after the VFAST application is submitted and prior to graduation and/or 2 + 2 PPVM start.
- Have not previously received a Bachelor’s degree.
- Completed at least two semesters of full-time attendance with coursework graded A-F by the end of the spring semester in which the application is submitted.
Applicants meeting or exceeding the following requirements will have the best chance for selection into the SDSU PPVM VFAST Program:
- Competitive ACT scores (at least 25) and/or SAT Scores (at least 1140).
- Competitive high school rank (if applicable) and GPA.
- Complete first-year coursework consistent with admissions requirements for SDSU’s Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, math, English).
- Maintain full-time college enrollment in both fall and spring semesters (at least 12 credit hours per semester).
- SDSU cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- SDSU pre-veterinary courses GPA typically above 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.
- Demonstrate extensive experience related to food animal medicine (e.g. working in a mixed animal or food animal veterinary practice, farm or ranch experience, participation in FFA or 4-H, other experience(s) related to rural-focused mixed or food animal veterinary practices).
Applying to VFAST:
The application process will be coordinated through the SDSU Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. Contact the Director of Professional Programs (605-688-6645) for more information.
Documents required for application will include an application form, transcripts and three letters of recommendation. At least one letter should come from a veterinarian who can validate the applicant’s potential as a rural-focused mixed or food animal veterinary practitioner. Other letters of reference should confirm the applicants’ scholarly discipline, dedication, compassion, work ethic, agricultural perspective, capability, drive, etc.
Completing the VFAST program
VFAST program participants must meet the following criteria in order to gain full admission to the DVM program:
- Continue to complete the courses outlined in the Animal Science major - Food Animal Health Specialization, including animal production courses.
- Complete all required pre-veterinary coursework.
- Maintain an SDSU cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Continue to participate in food animal related activities and experiences.
Course Delivery Format
The Animal Science program provides hands-on experiences in the classroom, laboratories, field trips, and at the livestock teaching units.
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