Biotechnology and Research for Undergraduates |
| All Animal Science majors must satisfy a set of Basic Science Core Courses and the Animal Science Core Courses. In addition to the required core courses, electives within the Department are available to create an Emphasis in Animal Biotechnology/Research regardless of the major (Animal Science or Pre-Veterinary) the student chooses. Animals also contribute to human health through their role in research as models for humans. Insights into the behavior and social needs of animals have raised our consciousness with respect to stewardship of and responsibility towards animals and thus biotechnologists and research scientists must be educated to be cognizant of this. In addition, while the economics of inexpensive food production has selected for huge agribusinesses and large-scale production units, an emerging alternative aesthetic has given rise to the organic market and sustainable agriculture and is stimulating research on disease resistance and drug-free agricultural practices. Biotechnologists/research scientists are eminently suited to contribute to this movement.
Specialty courses emphasize research animal management and welfare, and laboratory courses in biotechnology, immunology, and microbiology. Students at all levels have the opportunity to work in the laboratories of nationally and internationally recognized scientists studying immunology, reproduction and development, genetics and toxicology. Departmental independent study courses allow students to obtain course credit by performing independent research under the guidance of departmental faculty. The department houses an impressive array of research equipment and facilities including histology and sophisticated microscopy facilities, molecular biology labs for identifying and quantifying animal and human gene expression, sterile tissue culture facilities and micro-injection facilities, and a Bio-safety level 3 containment facility. Research in departmental laboratories is targeted to lab animal models including rodents and frogs but also to cows, pigs, sheep, horses and alpaca. Graduates of the animal biotechnology and research concentration are enrolled in or have completed graduate Ph.D., D.V.M. and M.D. programs or are laboratory research technicians at universities including Harvard, Cornell and UMass, and private companies such as Charles Rivers Laboratories, Pfizer, Advanced Cell Technology, and Genetech. Animal Biotechnology/Research Courses Independent Study (Laboratory Research) ANIMLSCI 296, 396, 496 Laboratory in Biotechnology BIOTECH 385 Research Animal Management ANIML SCI 455 Molecular Medicine ANIML SCI 672 Special Topics in Toxicology ANIMLSIC 697I Cells, Genes and Development ANIML SCI 697J Advanced Immunology ANIML SCI 697K Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences Seminar ANIML SCI 792 Immunology Journal Club ANIML SCI 794A Cells, Genes & Development Journal Club ANIML SCI 795A Research Clubs and Activites There are a number of opportunities for students to develop in this field by interacting with other undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the research setting. First there are Journal Clubs held weekly within the department in two areas of emphasis. Most labs also hold weekly meetings where students have the opportunity to present their research to other lab members and once a year the department holds a Science Day where students present their work to the faculty and students of the Department. Students who achieve a significant amount in their research have the opportunity to present at regional, state and national scientific meetings where they interact with other undergraduate students, graduate students, veterinarians and faculty including those from colleges of veterinary medicine in the USA and abroad. In the summer, as well as during the academic year, there are a number of fellowship programs that provide monetary reward to research students who are accepted into the program along with the opportunity to visit laboratories throughout the campus and meet and interact with other students and faculty in those labs. |
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While
students interested in graduate, veterinary or medical school may
choose to follow the Animal Biotechnology and Research concentration,
this emphasis is also for those students interested in careers as
laboratory, research or animal care technicians in the fields of
veterinary and human health or biotechnology, the latter of which
has expanded rapidly in the Northeast. Biotechnologists explore
and develop new technologies using molecular biology, embryo manipulation
and cell and tissue culture. This is a particularly interesting
time to enter the field of animal biotechnology since research on
gene regulation and early embryo development has resulted in novel
techniques to manipulate and explore the genomes of domestic animals
for ways to increase healthier food production as well as to develop
biomedical applications. 