Animal Science

Pasture to Plate Specialist

As a livestock farmer, you’re an expert on meat production from pasture to plate. You understand the key to producing quality meat is raising healthy animals. You’re invested in the health and welfare of the animals you raise, from the day they arrive on your farm to the day they head to market.

Animal Science prepares you for a career feeding the world.

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Choose Your Animal Science Pathway

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  • Domestic Animal Physiology
  • Livestock Evaluation
  • Microbiology
  • Food of Animal Origin
  • Swine or Cattle Science

Explore the 1 year Meat Science Certificate

  • Ag Computers
  • Agronomy
  • Animal Nutrition
  • Soil Science
  • Swine, Equine, or Beef Science
  • Domestic Animal Physiology
  • Livestock Evaluation
  • Accounting
  • Farm Business Management

Explore the 2 year Animal Science AAS Degree

Animal Science Overview

You learn the complete life cycle of beef and swine from pasture to plate, and gain hands-on skills and knowledge in:

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Animal behavior
  • Record keeping
  • Proper animal care
  • Feeding and nutrition
  • Reproduction and reproductive technology
  • Production and farm management
  • Meat science/butchering

You graduate certified in:

  • Beef Quality Assurance®
  • Pork Quality Assurance® Plus
  • Fear Free®

Gain 320 hours of real-world work experience through internships with ag industry leaders across Eastern Iowa, ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

Expand your knowledge and leadership skills at the Postsecondary Agricultural Student (PAS) Conference and the Iowa Pork Congress.

Visit meat processing plants and various size farming operations to learn how your skills and knowledge can be applied in a variety of work environments.

At Hawkeye’s 260-acre Farm Lab, you learn farm management, animal production, and crop production skills. Working with experienced faculty, you take an active role in raising livestock and tackling the day-to-day operations of a real working farm.

This a partial list of employers who have hired Animal Science graduates:

  • ADM Alliance Nutrition, Quincy, IL
  • Heartland Co-op, West Des Moines, IA
  • JBS USA, Marshalltown, IA
  • Tyson Foods, Inc., Waterloo, IA
  • USDA Food Safety Inspection Service
  • Westwood Embryo Services, Waverly, IA

You can get right to work after your program. Or, if you plan to earn an associate degree and go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, consider your transfer options.

An articulation agreement allows you to transfer your Animal Science coursework to the Animal Science/Pre-Veterinary Medicine program at Iowa State University.

Hawkeye also has transfer relationships with Northwest Missouri State University, South Dakota State University, and University of Wisconsin—Platteville.

If you’re interested in transferring, you must work closely with a program advisor here and at the transfer institution. This is important to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

Plan your transfer

" All of my instructors were really great. They really helped me learn the material and they were flexible. "
  • Maddie Harford
  • Animal Science '23

How to Get Started

It’s simple! Complete these steps:

  1. Apply for admission at Hawkeye.
  2. Send official transcripts to Admissions.
  3. Demonstrate college readiness.

Check the status of your application at any time by logging into your admissions account.

Program Contacts

Admissions

Main Campus
Hawkeye Center 134
319-296-4000
Email Admissions

Regular Hours — Spring 2025

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Academic Advisor

Last Names A–L

Last Names M–Z

Faculty Advisor

Last Names A–M

Ole Cleveland
Main Campus
Bremer Hall 111C
319-296-2329 ext.1414
Email Ole Cleveland

Last Names N–Z

Dresden Wulf
Main Campus
Bremer Hall 111D
319-296-2329 ext.1084
Email Dresden Wulf