Brookings Main Campus
Feeding the world.
Whether you choose direct involvement with animals through managing a ranch, feedlot or swine operation, working with reproductive technologies or nutrition or assuring the safety and quality of meat animal products, there are many opportunities for animal science graduates to contribute to the responsibility of providing high quality protein foods for the world.
In this program you will explore how to manage, feed, breed and care for livestock through topics like nutrition, reproduction, growth and development and breeding and genetics. You will gain management skills in capstone classes on cow-calf or feedlot management, horse, swine or sheep production or value-added meat products. Much of your education will involve hands-on experiences at the livestock units or meat lab.
Animal Science Fast Facts
Undergraduates
Degrees Awarded
(in 2022-23)
Scholarship Recipients
Internship Employers
Internship employers per year with different employment foci including animal nutrition, ranch management, veterinary services, swine industry, meats industry, livestock genetics, horsing training and more.
Student Organizations and Judging Teams
Department based student organizations and judging teams including Little International, the country’s largest student run livestock exposition, nationally competitive rodeo team and nationally competitive judging teams in livestock, meats and wool.
Is it for you?
This program will be a good fit if you:
- Enjoy working with livestock.
- Are passionate about animal agriculture.
- Enjoy food - specifically meat and animal products.
- Want a variety of career options.
- Are involved in FFA, 4-H or other ag-related activities.
Career Opportunities
- Livestock enterprise manager
- Livestock procurement
- Feed sales/consulting
- Breed association representative
- Meat merchandising
Recent Employers
- Purina Feeds
- Hormel Foods
- Pipestone Swine Systems
- Family Farms/Ranches
- Zoetis
Internship Opportunities
- CHS (Cenex/Harvest States)
- Excel (Cargill)
- First Dakota National Bank
- Lueck Stables LLC
- Christensen Farms
Suggested Certificates
Suggested Dual Majors
Suggested Minors
Clubs and Organizations
- Block and Bridle
- Judging Teams
- Little International
- Rodeo
- Swine Club
Undecided or still deciding on a major and future career?
If you are uncertain about your major and have questions about career planning, you are not alone. Choosing a major or career can be a very difficult decision. The exploratory studies program may be a good fit if you are unsure of your major and career focus. Entering the university in the exploratory studies program will help you gain confidence and valuable insights on majors and minors available at SDSU and future career choices.
In addition, FOCUS 2 Career, a self-guided assessment, education and career planning program, will help you reflect on your values, interests, personality traits and skills to provide valuable insight as you explore major and career choices. SDSU students may access FOCUS 2 Career by using their student email and password. After completing FOCUS 2 Career, you may find it helpful to discuss your results with a career coach in the Office of Career Development.