Postgraduate Certificate Program in Animal Science

Participants choose an area of emphasis within animal science and in conjunction with their graduate adviser and faculty mentor, select a minimum of 18 units from a wide range of courses-some of which are in other departments. 

Depending upon the participant's interests, training emphasis can be individually tailored to areas such as animal breeding and genetics, nutrition, physiology, behavior and husbandry of aquatic animals. Other areas of specialization can be organized, such as conservation biology, biotechnology, meat science and technology or specific topics in animal production. The program combines course work, laboratory instruction with possible fieldwork in animal science and related disciplines and participatory and non-participatory seminar requirements. 

Successful completion of the program results in a Postgraduate Certificate in Animal Science, within the designated specialization, conferred by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and University Extension. 

Jorge Gaston Prieto, from Argentina, was Animal Science's first PGCP student to enter and complete the program in dairy nutrition with Professor Ed DePeters serving as faculty mentor. Gaston subsequently extended his PGCP studies to obtain a master's degree, which he will complete this year. 

In Fall 2000, two new PGCP students from Denmark arrived. Brian Brodersen is being mentored by Professor Anita Oberbauer, while Ulrik Simonsen's faculty mentor is Professor Chris Calvert. Brian and Ulrik, currently M.S. students in Denmark, plan to use the PGCP coursework towards advanced degrees at their home institutions.

New Faculty Positions Approved

Four new Animal Science faculty positions have been approved for recruitment by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: an Assistant Animal Genomics Specialist in Cooperative Extension, an Assistant Environmental Specialist in Cooperative Extension, an Assistant Professor who will teach lactation and conduct research in physiological genomics of lactation and an Assistant Professor who will teach and conduct research in physiological genomics of animal stress and welfare. Genomics is the study of the structure and function of the whole genome of an organism, undertaken in simultaneous fashion. The Environmental Specialist will focus on air and water quality issues relating to animal production in California's increasingly urbanized/suburbanized environment.   

New Support and Stallion for Equine Program

Kay A. Devine had a great affection for horses. Even though she attended the University of California, Berkeley, she specifically designated that a portion of her estate be distributed to the department because of its excellent equine teaching and research program. After Ms. Devine's death in 2000, the Kay A. Devine fund was established to support graduate education, including fellowships to recruit high-caliber graduate students interested in equine science. Should excess funds be available, they will be used to support special projects that advance the equine program. 

In mid-December, Okies Leo Rose stepped off a horse trailer to join other stallions standing at the Animal Science Horse Barn. Mary Kittredge, 88, of Sedona, Arizona, recently donated this outstandingly bred Quarter Horse sire to the Animal Science breeding program. Okies Leo Rose was in the top 20 at the 1989 National Reining Horse Association futurity and Reserve World Champion in Senior Reining at the 1992 AQHA World Show. His foals are carrying on the family traditions. 

Mrs. Kittredge had always followed equine research at UC Davis and was inspired to donate this handsome bay stallion she had bred and raised herself because she wanted to be sure he had a good home. Okies Leo Rose is available for breeding to outside mares for $1000 stud fee. Contact Brent Brown, Animal Science Equine Facilities Manager, 2251 Meyer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, 530-754-4156 or bsbrown@ucdavis.edu

 

Okies Leo Rose, winner of multiple national reining championships, demonstrates a slide. This handsome bay has joined the Animal Science stud burn and is available for outside stallion breedings.