Animal Sciences
SLU has four departments working within animal sciences; Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics (ABG), Department of Animal Nutrition and Management (ANM), Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry (APB) at campus Ultuna and Animal Environment and Health (focusing on ethology and animal welfare, AEH) at campus Skara. In addition, research and teaching related to sustainable fish farming are carried out at the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies (WFE) located both at campus Umeå and campus Ultuna, new feed resources at the Department of Microbiology, and reproduction and larval rearing at the Department of Food Sciences, both at campus Ultuna.
The ongoing research at the ABG and ANM covers most areas of Animal Sciences research and focuses on how breeding, feeding and management can be used to improve the performance of animals and lead to more sustainable production systems. We study production or performance, fertility, health, behaviour and other welfare traits of both agricultural and sport and companion animals: small and large ruminants, pigs and poultry but also horses, dogs and fish/aquaculture. The ongoing research our departments cover most areas of Animal Sciences research and focuses on how breeding, feeding and management can be used to improve the performance of animals and lead to more sustainable production systems. We study production or performance, fertility, health, behaviour and other welfare traits of both agricultural and sport and companion animals: small and large ruminants, pigs and poultry but also horses, dogs and fish/aquaculture. More specifically, our research includes a broad field of expertise: molecular and quantitative genetic studies, bioinformatics, development of sustainable breeding programs, nutrient metabolism and utilisation, and on the relationship between husbandry systems, animal health and production.
The total number of teachers involved in Animal Science research activities at ABG and ANM is around 52 staff (above post-doc level), and the total number of PhD-students is at present around 54. In aquaculture around 15 senior and 8 PhD students are active at the Umeå and Ultuna campus combined. In addition, the laboratory staff take part at all levels in the education at our departments. This includes undergraduate, postgraduate and post doc projects. At ANM, more than half of the PhD students are from developing countries doing their research in their home country and the writing process and thesis defense at SLU. At ABG, about half of the PhD-students are from developing countries, doing their PhD here in Sweden.
The departments ABG and ANM contributed with about 110 papers per year published in scientific peer-reviewed journals within the animal science related topics in 2009-2011.
The above mentioned departments are responsible for all teaching relevant in the area of Animal Sciences, including aquaculture, at SLU and are responsible for the master program in animal science. The departments are responsible for approximate 30 courses at bachelor or master level,