Degree Options:

Production and Management Option

Science Option

Business Option

Companion Animal Science Option

At a glance:

This curriculum introduces students to the many facets of the animal industry. Students then orient themselves toward a career in livestock, horse and companion animal management; animal science and industry; or veterinary medicine by selecting one of the four options available. Students may also complete requirements for a minor in business administration, biology or chemistry by completing course requirements as outlines by each of these respective departments. The animal science concentration is comprehensive and includes training in animal nutrition, physiology, breeding and reproduction, selection and evaluation, management, marketing, animal health and welfare and biotechnology. Training is provided through classroom instruction, hands-on experience in lab and field production facilities through the UT Martin Agriculture and Natural Resources Field Teaching/Demonstration Complex, tours to commercial farms, ranches, businesses and marketing and processing facilities. Optional industry-oriented internships and cooperative education experiences allow students to strengthen their training and education in a specific area of animal science and develop contacts with potential employers. New equine facilities, recently renovated beef, swine and sheep units give students interested in production and management the opportunity to acquire skills associated with modern production practices. The West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is schedule to open in 2008. Excellent employment opportunities exist in career fields that include: private farming or ranching and commercial farm or ranch management and teaching; research and extension opportunities in both federal and state agencies; and government including the United States Department of Agriculture and University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. Opportunities also exist in private industry in areas of production, technical services, management and marketing for commodity groups and feed, equipment manufacturing, pharmaceutical and food regulatory monitoring; and agricultural finance and communication. Many animal science graduates may continue their education with graduate and professional training in areas such as law, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, business administration and advanced degrees leading to careers in teaching research and extension.

Why should a student choose the program at UT Martin?

Many exciting and rewarding career opportunities await the animal science graduate in today's ever-changing society. While the animal husbandry field was once primarily confined to those with a vast amount of practical experience with farm animals, the needs of a modern animal industry have created many new careers for the traditional farm student and those urban students with a keen interest in animals. The program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a concentration in Animal Science is offered through the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. The program combines basic science and technical courses related to the production and use of animal products with a sound background in humanities and social sciences. Through the wise use of elective courses, a student can focus on animal production and management or animal biotechnology. Of particular interest is the demand for women and minority students to fill positions of responsibility in the animal industry.

Are there any special opportunities available such as internships, global travel, etc?

Supervised field experience, or an internship, is available for academic credit. It is required of all students in park and recreation administration, agricultural business, agricultural science production and plant science programs, and strongly encouraged for students in all other agricultural and natural resources management degree programs. Internships are designed to enable a student to obtain credit for completion of a prescribed program of work with an approved business or agency. Students have served as interns in a variety of agricultural management and marketing positions and as interns with a variety of city, state and federal agencies. Supervision and evaluation are provided by faculty and on- the-job supervisors. An essential element of this program is that the work experience be designed so it contributes to a students learning and level of competence in his/her chosen career area; routine summer jobs or seasonal employment that do not meet these criteria cannot be considered for internship credit. Students interested in the program should apply for participation one semester in advance and they should have achieved senior standing at the time the work experience begins in the case of park and recreation administration – and junior standing in the case of other concentration areas.

What can a student do after graduation – graduate school, possible careers?

A wide variety of professional careers are available to the animal scientist in vocations such as farm and livestock management, Agricultural Extension Service, livestock procurement, federal meat grading, federal and state livestock and meat inspection, and market news reporting. There are also careers in the business-related areas of animal production such as fertilizer, seed and animal health product sales, farm loan representatives and banking. Excellent opportunities are available for those with a special training in agricultural communications, working on farm magazines and journals, as breed association field representatives with livestock associations and in public relations. For the student desiring to pursue an advanced degree, the bachelor's in agriculture with a concentration in animal science prepares individuals for further studies in agricultural economics, business administration, food technology, animal biotechnology, and other studies leading to careers in teaching and research.

What kind of student organizations, clubs, or honor societies can a student join?

Agriculture and natural resources management students are active in several organizations which include the Agronomy Club, Alpha Gamma Rho, Block and Bridle Club, Collegiate FFA, Collegiate 4-H, National Agribusiness Marketing Association, Park and Recreation Adventure Club, Equestrian Team (Athletics), Rodeo Team (Athletics), UT Martin chapter of the Wildlife Society, Student Cattlemen's Association, UT Martin Turf Club, Sigma Alpha and UT Martin Pre-Veterinary Club. These student organizations provide opportunities for meeting established professionals in the field, enhancing leadership skills and participation in social activities.

What kind of facilities and equipment will be available to the student?

The UT Martin Agricultural and Natural Resources Field Teaching and Demonstration Complex, located adjacent to the campus, is utilized as the lab farm in the departments teaching programs. Together, both units comprise 680 acres and include herds of beef cattle, sheep, goats, horses and swine, as well as greenhouses and landscape, wildlife, field and forage crop demonstration areas. These facilities are used by faculty and students to conduct research that complements the teaching program as well as contributes to the broad objectives of the Center of Excellence.  The organization outlined above enables students to become familiar with research conducted at the teaching farm, other experiment stations of the UT Institute of Agriculture and other laboratories of the university. UT Martin, in this way, occupies a unique position that differentiates it from other institutions. UT Martin also has the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex (pavilion and stalling facility), an Equine Center, West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the Ray and Wilma Smith Livestock Merchandising Center, with all of these hosting a variety of events throughout the year.

Does the faculty specialize in certain areas?

Dr. Jerry D. Gresham is a Professor of Animal Science and Department Chair specializing in meat science and live animal evaluation using ultrasound technology. Dr. Craig Darroch is a Professor of Animal Science with 13 years of experience in higher education. Dr. Darroch specializes in teaching and research in animal physiology and nutrition especially with swine and horses. He also is involved with international studies in Canada. Dr. Clay Bailey is an Assistant Professor of Animal Science and serves as the coach of the intercollegiate livestock judging team. Dr. Janet Bailey, DVM, is an Assistant Professor of Anima Science and specializes in animal health and companion animal management. She also is the staff veterinarian for the West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.