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Animal Science

Advancing understanding of animal biology and addressing the most pressing problems of animal industries.

Welcome to the Department of Animal Science

The Department of Animal Science offers undergraduate and graduate programs on the biology and management of food, laboratory and companion animal species. Our research programs advance our understanding of animal biology and address local and global issues facing animal industries today. Our goals are to discover and develop new techniques and information to benefit animals, agriculture and human health. Our internationally recognized faculty have diverse interests in animal management, breeding, genetics, physiology, nutrition, growth biology and microbiology.

Major in Animal Science

Animal science majors learn from internationally recognized professors in all aspects of domestic animal biology: breeding, genetics, nutrition, physiology, growth, behavior and management.

Animal Science Major

Learn more about what an animal science major can do for you.

Undergraduate Studies

International Opportunities

Check out the international opportunities available with the animal science major.

Learn more about undergraduate opportunities

Graduate Studies

Approximately 40 graduate students from a variety of disciplines belong to the Department of Animal Science, most of them in the field of animal science.

Graduate Field of Animal Science

Undergraduate research

Discovering new genes

Cameron Xu ’26 is using biometry and statistics to help Cornell CALS animal science professor Vimal Selvaraj identify new genes. Together, they’re investigating how steroid hormones regulate the body’s processes, uncovering new knowledge that could advance cancer research and solve other human health challenges.

Explore synthetic biology at CALS
Play CALS Undergraduate Research Experience: Cameron Xu '26

News

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Field Note

Jackson Sapuleni: How does early-life weight gain affect female fertility?
Jackson Sapuleni PhD’28 is a doctoral student working in the lab of Yi Athena Ren , associate professor of reproductive biology. Jackson’s research focuses on the effect of early-life weight gain on the ovary. We spoke with Jackson about his...
  • Animal Science
  • Genomics
  • Biology
Students walk on the Ag Quad

News

Celebrating the CALS class of 2026
With the end of another academic year in sight, we’d like to recognize the CALS class of 2026. Throughout their Cornell journey, our students explored purpose‑driven science, cultivated their passions and built meaningful connections. Guided by...
  • Agriculture Sciences Major
  • Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment
  • Animal Science
A woman stands in a field.

Field Note

Gabby Garcia: “We will never stop learning”
Gabby Garcia joined Cornell CALS’ Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP) as an intern from Zamorano University hoping to expand upon her knowledge of agriculture. During her time at Cornell, she worked on the rainfall simulation project...
  • Agriculture
  • Field Crops
  • Crops

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a woman in a lab coat looks at a beaker of liquid
Diana Reyes Gomez prepares samples of SeaGraze, a product developed by Symbrosia based on the seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis, for a shelf stability trial. Photo provided.

Contact us for more information

Thank you for your interest in Animal Science at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. 
Reach out through the information below, or find a more direct point of contact for your inquiries.

149 Morrison Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-4801
Phone: (607) 255-2862
Fax: (607) 255-9829
E-mail: ansc_mainoffice [at] cornell.edu (ansc_mainoffice[at]cornell[dot]edu)