WELCOME TO ANIMAL AND FOOD SCIENCES
Our programs cover a wide range of scientific disciplines that support the safe and economical production of domestic livestock animals and quality foods, as well as the care, health, and use of companion animals. In the field of animal science, disciplines include virology, physiology, nutrition, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, engineering, biochemistry, genomics and animal management. In food science, we cover the disciplines of food safety (microbiology), chemistry and engineering, as well as the culinary aspects of food.
Our research addresses contemporary and future scientific challenges using cutting-edge technologies. Our goal is to assist and support stakeholders in the poultry, livestock and food industries.
Where high quality programs intersect with a dynamic living/learning laboratory — a 350-acre working farm!
Our undergraduate programs
Our graduate programs
The animal and food sciences department is proud to highlight it's six graduate program tracks. Our graduates are successfully prepared for professional schools (e.g., veterinary and medical), or to further their education through advanced degrees (Ph.D. programs and post-doctoral positions).
Many of our alumni are employed in the fields of biotechnology, food product development and safety, pharmaceutical research, vaccine development and testing, agricultural feed and nutrition industries, as well as government administration and policy.
Featured video
University of Delaware students show off the versatile Anatomy and Physiology Instructional Lab: youtube.com/watch?v=PI2gfF1WlYc
Faculty Spotlight
Assistant Professor of Animal Science
Prof. Gaab's interests include preventative care and husbandry practices of dairy and beef cattle, small ruminants, equids, camelids, and swine as well as animal welfare and compliance of university and commercial standards in dairy and beef cattle, small ruminants, equids, camelids, and swine.
Latest news
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A taste for food science
January 15, 2025 | Written by Molly SchaferKaitlin Smith combines her love of plants with a passion for food science. During a food microbiology course, Smith discovered an interest in research as she pursued her undergraduate degree. Now a graduate student in UD’s M.S. in Food Science, she conducts her own research into mitigating cross-contamination in hydroponics. -
Raw milk and bird flu
January 10, 2025 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photo by iStockUD microbial food safety professor Kali Kniel offers insight into the health risks of raw milk. -
Discovering lab research
January 07, 2025 | Article by Molly Schafer Photos by Evan Krape and courtesy of Erikah DozierErikah Dozier is making strides in research focusing on Cryptosporidium parvum infections in cows. As an animal science graduate student under the guidance of Professor Erin Pisano, she is working with intestinal organoids to gut function and disease. Their research studies the biological activities of cells and tissues under various experimental conditions using a method that reduces the need for animal testing.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
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