Animal Sciences Major Has Largest Freshman Class Since 1999

With 55 freshmen intending to enroll in Penn State's Animal Sciences major at the University Park campus, and 67 on other campuses, the class of 2011 is the largest since 1999, when the program major changed from dairy and animal science to animal sciences as an interdepartmental program in cooperation with the Department of Poultry Science.

Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Dairy and Animal science, said, "We are delighted not just with the number of students enrolled in our animal sciences program, but also with the tremendous quality of the students. This year's class continues a long-standing tradition of bright, well-rounded young people with a strong history of involvement. We look forward to integrating them into our many academic and student programs."

Fifty-six percent of the incoming freshmen selected becoming a veterinarian as their top career choice. Other potential careers and their percentages include: farm manager, 18 percent; research, nine percent; animal trainer, seven percent; breeding, nutrition and zookeeper, two percent each; and, four percent unknown.

Sixty-four percent have selected science as an option and 36 percent have selected business/management.

The largest percentage of students, 36, were interested in horses, following by companion animals, 26 percent; dairy, 16 percent; livestock, 13 percent; zoo/exotic, seven percent; and poultry, two percent. This year's class reflects an increased interest in the equine, livestock and zoo/exotic programs over last year.

Several students have expressed interest in pursuing the integrated five year animal biotechnology program, in which a student can earn a B.S. in animal sciences and an M.S. in biotechnology. Introduced in 2000, this intensive program expands career options for students within the burgeoning biotechnology industry, including preparation for a career in research, medicine, the biopharmaceutical industry, and global consulting.