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For animal science professionals, the learning never ends. This is especially true as North Carolina State University’s Department of Animal Science offers a highly-rated graduate program with a proven track record of taking existing careers to new heights. The university is ranked 9th in the U.S. and 14th in the world (Edurank). It is ranked 2nd and 7th for master’s and doctoral degrees, respectively (College Factual, 2024). The university’s Lake Wheeler Road Field Lab is one of the most diverse university farms in the country, with more than 20 research units and a diversity that reflects North Carolina’s multi-billion-dollar agriculture industry.
Here, faculty and students are pioneering solutions to industry challenges, including some of the most cited papers in the Journal of Animal Science and doctoral research recognized by the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS). 2024 ASAS Young Scholar Award Hyunjun Choi’s doctoral research investigates dietary interventions to improve growth performance in grower pigs. Last year, the same award was awarded to Vitor Moita, who completed his doctorate on the functional role of feed enzymes and their impact on gut health and growth in grower pigs.
Similar success awaits students who participate in the university’s graduate programs, including a PhD in Animal Science, a Master of Science in Animal Science, and an Interdepartmental Nutrition Program, where students conduct research under the guidance of an advisor. Whatever program you choose, you’ll work with multiple departments, hone your research skills, and explore your interests before moving on to or returning to a specialization.
If you already have something planned, our Online Animal Science MSc is ideal. It’s the only program of its kind available fully online and in a part-time or full-time format. This format allows maximum flexibility for those who need to balance life and work while exploring the ins and outs of sub-fields such as nutrition, physiology, genetics, biotechnology and animal management. For those looking to graduate faster, our accelerated program guarantees your BSc and MSc in just five years.
Either way, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in academia, research or agribusiness, like our graduates below:
Dr. Petra Chan is originally from Brazil and has a degree in Agricultural Engineering. Source: North Carolina State University
Dr. Petra Chan
Dr. Petra Chan became interested in animal science when she came to the United States to do an internship at Smithfield Foods’ sow farm. Wanting to learn more about pigs and nutrition, she applied to enroll in the Master’s in Animal Science at North Carolina State University.
“Through the various industry connections I made with my mentors, I was able to gain a good understanding of commercial swine production and conduct research at many of our commercial industrial partners’ facilities,” she says. “This helped prepare me for an industrial job after graduation and gave me more practical experience in the field.”
Since then, she has had a rewarding career. After graduating in 2016, she became a technical consultant for Elanco, an animal health organization committed to innovating and delivering products and services for farm animals and pets. Here, she conducts field research, presents scientific findings on industry-related topics, and meets with clients to present technical information. Her job responsibilities also include staying connected and engaged with universities, such as NC State, to stay informed about the latest research topics and develop partnerships.
“The interdisciplinary nature of the Animal Science program has helped me grow as a professional and prepared me for a job in industry,” she says.
Emmanuel Lozada Soto has used the vast network he built at North Carolina State University to collaborate with universities such as the University of Guelph and the University of Florence, expanding his research globally. Source: North Carolina State University
Emmanuel Lozada Soto
Before earning his master’s and doctorate in animal science from NC State, Emmanuel Lozada Soto majored in agricultural science and specialized in animal science at the University of Puerto Rico. It was there that he developed an interest in livestock genetics, a path that led him to NC State. “During my master’s degree, I studied new traits for monitoring udder infections in dairy cows,” he says. “My courses and research experiences at NC State paved the way for my career as a livestock geneticist.”
During his time at NC State, he took advanced classes in genetics and breeding, developed his research skills by collaborating with outside institutions and partners, and received the prestigious NC State Kenneth R. Keller Award, awarded annually to the outstanding doctoral dissertation in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
“My graduate education has definitely led me to my current career,” says Losada Soto, who now works as an animal scientist with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service’s (USDA-ARS) National Animal Genetic Resources Program. “I use the knowledge and skills I learned at NC State every day. Much of the research I do now is similar to the work I did during my doctoral program, and my experience at NC State put me in a great position to start my career.”
Dr. Yanbin Shen’s doctoral research focuses on using functional amino acids to improve food animal health, which in many ways is a key project in his current senior leadership role. Source: North Carolina State University
Dr. Shen Yanbin
Rigorous, immersive, empowering. These are the characteristics that Dr. Yanbin Shen experienced during her doctoral studies in animal and human nutrition at North Carolina State University. During her time there, Dr. Shen generated new knowledge about the use of functional amino acids to enhance animal health.
“The classes and classroom learning experiences broadened my intellectual horizons,” says Shen, who now serves as director of technical services and director of North American research and development at APC, an organization that helps animals and plants thrive through the use of innovative functional proteins. “Understanding fundamental principles honed my critical thinking and communication skills, improving my ability to communicate complex ideas effectively,” he says.
This year, nearly 11 years after graduating, Shen returned to NC State University. He was appointed an adjunct professor in the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He now visits campus regularly to attend scientific conferences and collaborate with graduate students through seminars and collaborative research projects.
“My role at NC State is to bridge the gap between academia and industry, benefiting students and researchers by aligning academic research with real-world needs. This collaboration enriches the academic experience and provides students with a valuable opportunity to develop skills for their professional endeavors.”
Follow NC State’s Department of Animal Science on Facebook. Learn more about graduate admissions, assistantship positions, or apply today.
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