Animal Science Faculty Heavily Involved in New Campus Major

The Animal Biology major, with an initial enrollment of 44 students, was offered for the first time in the 1998-99 academic year. The Department of Animal Science has played a pivotal role in the formation of this major and continues to make a major contribution to teaching and advising. Faculty members Jim Murray and Jim Millam were members of the task force appointed by Associate Dean Gary Moberg to design and implement the new major.

The major recognizes the need at UC Davis for an area of study in whole animal biology that is not necessarily associated with traditional production, laboratory or domesticated animals. Emphasis is on the application of biological principals in solving societal problems associated with animals in agriculture, urban areas or natural environments. The major offers a great deal of flexibility to the student in choice of courses and areas of study.

Five Animal Science faculty members are involved in varying degrees in teaching the new set of courses that are part of the core curriculum. The department also provides laboratory space and animals and handles administration of the student advising. As the major grows it will probably increase enrollment in Animal Science courses.