In the Production Animal Science major, you will study subjects in animal biology, genetics and breeding, nutrition, physiology, health and welfare. You will gain a detailed understanding of animal production industries, and how management strategies can optimise growth, improve animal welfare, protect against disease and deliver higher-quality products. Students who complete this major will be well equipped to study the University of Melbourne’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, with an applied knowledge of animal science. In the Production Animal Science major, you will study subjects designed to develop your understanding of biochemistry and microbiology in an agricultural context. You will apply this knowledge in a range of third-year topics including animal disease, production and growth, behaviour and welfare, including this major’s capstone subject, Production Animal Physiology. You can choose to spend Semester 2 of your second year at Dookie campus, where you can observe a wide variety of farming industries first-hand including cropping, livestock and dairy management, horticulture and viticulture enterprises, as well as support industries such as irrigation management, logistics and food processing operations. Careers Animal production relies on skills in and knowledge of animal physiology, growth and nutrition, health and disease, welfare science and behaviour. Students who complete the major in Production Animal Science can consider a range of interesting careers or enter further study in agricultural science or veterinary medicine. INDUSTRIES AND ROLES Following a major in Production Animal Science, potential careers include: Animal nutritionist: improve livestock growth and productivity Animal health or welfare officer: help to enforce the law and educate the public Quarantine officer: maintain biosecurity, keeping Australia and other countries disease-free Pharmaceutical company representative: inform producers of the latest medical advancements and how and when to use them Feedlot manager: combine the above skills to run an efficient, profitable and ethical operation Extension officer: explain the latest scientific research to individual farmers and businesses, and help them to find technical solutions to issues.