Master The Science of Life
Working with plants and animals can mean everything from understanding plant and animal genetics to growing crops, running a greenhouse, raising healthy animals, discovering ways to treat diseases, or managing land for plants, animals and people. It’s the science of life, and we’ve been exploring and teaching it since the university began. We provide students with valuable hands-on experiences in the field, on the farm, and in the laboratory. Whether you want life at the speed of chemical reactions and cell division, a trotting horse or a growing plant, we have a program for you.
Plant and Animal Specialist Degrees
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Plant Science
Learn to manage and produce the plants that are critical to the success of the agricultural industry.
Customize your education in plant science by choosing an emphasis in either horticulture (growing fruits, vegetables and flowers) and cropping systems or research. The horticulture and cropping systems emphasis is designed for those who are interested in applying their knowledge to crop production in the field, nursery, orchard or greenhouse. Through coursework, you will get hands-on experience producing safe, affordable and nutritious food. The research emphasis prepares students to enter graduate school. In this emphasis, students participate in hands-on research and gain knowledge to develop new, plant- related technologies and innovative methods of food production.
A degree in plant science is ideal for people interested in sustainable agriculture. Depending on the emphasis you choose, you will study biology, chemistry, plant production and management, soil science and biotechnology. All students have opportunities to get hands-on experience working side-by-side with faculty research scientists in laboratories, greenhouses and fields. Career opportunities include positions with agricultural research companies, jobs in state, local and national government and owning or managing farms and other production operations. -
Land, Plant and Climate Systems
Explore the physical, chemical and biological processes occurring at the Earth’s surface.
This degree is focused on sustainability and helps students develop an understanding of current and potential environmental issues. Studying the interactions between soils, plants and the atmosphere will equip you with the skills to evaluate urban and rural land use questions, understand agricultural ecology, manage soil and water resources, and understand issues of climate change and soil nutrient cycling. You will have opportunities to work alongside professors in the lab and in the field to gain valuable research experience.
Students can choose to emphasize either environmental soil science, sustainable food production or applied climatology. You will be prepared for a career as a farmer with a sustainable operation, soil scientist, conservationist, resource manager, water quality specialist, sports field manager, environmental consultant and more. Wherever you decide to take your career, you can play a role in ensuring that high-quality soil and clean water are available to current and future generations. -
Equine Science and Management
Transform your passion for horses into a successful equine industry career.
Students in this program actively participate in the day-to-day activities at USU’s Equine Education Center and gain experience with feeding, breeding and medical care. You will develop exceptional management and handling techniques through lecture, laboratory and on-the-farm instruction. Faculty members carry both industry and show credentials, and coursework covers areas such as nutrition, riding fundamentals, colt starting and equine evaluation. USU is home to a strong Extension equine program, and students are encouraged to attend and assist with programs held across the state, providing excellent opportunities to meet and network with professionals in the equine industry.
This program requires students to complete an internship with a professional in their chosen area of interest to gain industry experience before graduation. Career options include managing horse breeding farms, working for breed associations, managing equine competitions and events, and working in the equine marketing and equine health industries. -
Animal and Dairy Science
Gain experience working directly with livestock and learn how to run a successful animal production business.
The animal and dairy science emphasis provides students with practical, hands-on learning in the science of animal production. By completing coursework in production cost and profitability, animal health and well-being, animal nutrition, environmental stewardship and bioethics, you will develop the ability to manage a successful animal production operation. Primarily taught in a non-traditional setting, you will gain hands-on experience with beef and dairy cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine at world-class facilities.
USU’s Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences is one of the top institutions for research in animal sciences. Students graduating from this program are prepared for careers in animal and dairy production and management, state and federal government agricultural agencies, marketing and sales or animal product processing. -
Bioveterinary Science
Students prepare for research and medical careers and have daily opportunities to work directly with animal health professionals.
This degree is designed primarily for students pursuing admission to schools of veterinary medicine or life science graduate programs. Many faculty members in the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences also teach in the USU’s School of Veterinary Medicine. This provides opportunities for students to gain experience learning from veterinarians and working with animals.
You will explore topics and issues in animal biology, companion and production animal diseases, and animal management. This program provides opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge research at state-of-the-art facilities. The degree program can be individually tailored to maximize your chance of getting accepted into a school of veterinary medicine. In addition to careers in veterinary medicine, graduates from this program find employment opportunities in animal and human biomedical research, drug development and testing and at diagnostic laboratories. -
Biotechnology
Prepare to make innovations in science and agriculture by working directly with animals and gaining laboratory experience.
Biotechnology provides a hands-on education for those pursuing science-related careers. Students apply scientific and engineering methods related to animal genetics and breeding, animal cloning, trait mapping, and developmental and molecular biology.
The Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences encourages students to supplement their coursework by working with faculty members to explore research opportunities. Students pursue research in molecular genetics, parasitology, toxicology and virology. Upon graduation, you will be prepared for careers in basic animal research, drug development and testing, and laboratory technical support.
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Animal Health and Disease (MS, PhD)
Focus on molecular biology, pathology, and disease detection using conventional and advanced molecular technologies, epidemiology, parasitology, pharmacology, and microbiology.
Focus on molecular biology, pathology, and disease detection using conventional and advanced molecular technologies, epidemiology, parasitology, pharmacology, and microbiology.
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Animal Management (MS, PhD)
For students seeking careers in production animal agriculture, this specialization prepares students for the challenges facing the animal industry and commodity groups in the 21st century.
For students seeking careers in production animal agriculture, this specialization prepares students for the challenges facing the animal industry and commodity groups in the 21st century.
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Animal Molecular Genetics (MS, PhD)
This specialization involves technologies in genome analyses, whole genome scanning, marker assisted selection, and the identification of economically important trait loci in food-producing animals.
This specialization involves technologies in genome analyses, whole genome scanning, marker assisted selection, and the identification of economically important trait loci in food-producing animals.
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Animal Nutrition (MS, PhD)
Study innovations in new feed additives, grazing practices, approaches for sustainable agriculture, and more.
Students in this specialization have the opportunity to study things like the development of new feed additives that improve animal performance, innovations in grazing practices that optimize ruminant production, the development of feasible approaches for sustainable agriculture, and more.
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Reproduction and Development (MS, PhD)
Work with faculty exploring aspects of early embryo development, differentiation, gene regulation, embryonic stem cell characteristics and applications, reproductive immunology, and more.
Work with faculty exploring aspects of early embryo development, differentiation, gene regulation, embryonic stem cell characteristics and applications, reproductive immunology, and more.
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Toxicology (MS, PhD)
Focus your research on the important study of the effects of harmful chemicals with support from multiple departments.
Study the effects of harmful chemicals. Your research can involve many areas of toxicology, but USU especially excels in the following two:
Molecular and Biomedical Toxicology: Research how external agents affect the genetic structure of cells. Toxicologists at USU are developing research on the genomics of disease, cancer prevention, the mechanisms of air pollution, and more.
Environmental Toxicology: Study toxins that affect the environment. Do research that aims to restore ecosystems, remove toxic waste, and reduce human and animal exposure to environmental toxins. Additionally, USU scientists were among the first to use a naturally occurring fungus to digest and detoxify chemical waste. -
Plant Science (MS, PhD)
Work closely with faculty to study the biology, genetics, and management of plants and other issues related to agricultural and horticultural production.
USU is home to the only agriculturally focused plant science degrees in the state. The plant science graduate degrees are centered on the biology, genetics, and management of plants and other issues related to agricultural and horticultural production. In particular, USU’s plant science programs focus on regional issues pertaining to the West and current environmental issues, such as the management of invasive weed species, specifically the weed problems of the Intermountain West, and the challenges of organic and sustainable agriculture in the West’s arid climate.
Each graduate student in the department follows a unique and completely customized plan of study. Students work closely with faculty on research projects and receive individual attention and mentoring as they complete their research. Students can focus their research in a variety of areas as they develop solutions to current problems. Those areas may include environmental plant physiology, genetics, molecular biology, plant breeding, crop production, sustainable and organic crop and forage production systems, weed science, urban landscape management, and water management in agricultural and horticultural crops, including turf and other ornamentals. -
Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Recieve your pre-clinical training from internationally recognized faculty at USU's state-of-the-art teaching, animal, and research facilities.
USU has access to lab facilities and equipment, allowing research in animal reproduction, nutrition, and disease. Its Center for Integrated Biosystems was the first to clone a hybrid animal and has been recognized for its cloning expertise twice by Popular Science magazine.
The doctor of veterinary medicine program admits 20 students from Utah and 10 nonresident students per year. It's a joint program with Washington State University. After recieving preclinical training students complete their clinical training at WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, Washington. -
Horticulture (MPSH)
Learn to design, construct and maintain water-efficient landscapes.
This online, professional, graduate degree addresses the need for landscapes that are designed to conserve water. The courses build students’ skills and expertise in all aspects of landscape water conservation. You will gain a thorough understanding of plant science, irrigation technologies, landscape design and human behavior related to landscape use and maintenance.
As a graduate of the only professional master’s degree focused on urban landscape water conservation, your skills will be in high demand. Your future career could involve water conservation with government agencies, private consulting, or designing and maintaining landscapes.
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Equine Assistive Therapy (Minor)
Gain a strong professional education in the core principles of facilitating equine experiential learning, therapies, and recreation.
The Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies Minor at Utah State University provides students with a strong professional education in the core principles of facilitating equine experiential learning, therapies, and recreation.
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Agricultural Science (Associate Degree)
Learn to design and apply technologies to guide the ethical use of land, food, water, and economic resources thereby improving the health and well-being of humans, plants, animals and the environment.
Residents in all areas with in Utah can benefit from a degree program focused on helping graduates learn to design and apply technologies to guide the ethical use of land, food, water, and economic resources thereby improving the health and well-being of humans, plants, animals and the environment. The Associate of Science in Agricultural Science degree will train students for growing jobs in agriculture, and prepare them for transfer to a university to complete a bachelor’s degree in the College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences.
The associate degree integrates breadth of knowledge and applied learning in agriculture and natural sciences. Students will choose from general education, agricultural science, and general elective courses. Courses will be offered through a combination of online, IVC broadcast and face-to-face formats. Assessment will employ distance education techniques, including but not limited to, online testing, proctored examinations, and individual project portfolios. Upon completion, students will have entry level knowledge of agricultural science and be prepared to start a career in the diverse agricultural industry or enter a four-year degree program.
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Graduate Degrees
- Animal Health & Disease (MS, PhD)
- Animal Management (MS, PhD)
- Animal Molecular Genetics (MS, PhD)
- Animal Nutrition (MS, PhD)
- Reproduction & Development (MS, PhD)
- Toxicology (PhD)
- Plant Science (MS, PhD)
- Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
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Minors & Associates
- Equine Assistive Therapy
- Agricultural Science
