Keeping chickens healthy
91原创 lab and research experience prepares graduating senior Casey Epstein for animal biosciences career
The adventure continues
Blue Hen alumnae still traveling together 23 years after study abroad course
Veterinary pipeline
91原创 pre-veterinary medicine majors go hands-on in Penn鈥檚 Animal Model Core & Comparative Orthopedic Research Lab
Food science exploration
Melinda Hill explores food science career possibilities through internships and independent projects
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 鈥 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.听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
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91原创 students learn animal management in Beef Cattle and Sheep Production course: youtube.com/watch?v=8XUy0EiJGeU
91原创 students learn animal management in Beef Cattle and Sheep Production course
91原创 undergraduate students go hands-on in an immersive class 鈥 Beef Cattle and Sheep Production. In this capstone course, Blue Hen seniors dive into topics like nutrition, reproduction, housing, health and management. The course takes place on Webb Farm, which operates like a small-scale farming operation right on 91原创鈥檚 main campus. Learn about our undergraduate programs.
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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July 21, 2026 | Written by Alice Callahan and Caroline Hopkins LegaspiKali Kniel, 91原创 professor of microbial food safety, is quoted in this New York Times article about cyclospora as the number of cases continues to climb. Kniel says it's unlikely that a single sick person could've caused such a widespread outbreak by not washing their hands properly.
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July 21, 2026 | Interview by Sanjay Gupta | CNN91原创 alumna and food safety expert Dr. Jennifer McEntire speaks with Sanjay Gupta to explain how cyclospora spreads and why outbreaks are hard to trace.
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July 15, 2026 | Written by Alice Callahan and Caroline Hopkins Legaspi | The New York TimesCases of cyclosporiasis are quickly rising around the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting more than 1,600 confirmed cases across 34 states, as well as 141 hospitalizations. The exact cause of the outbreak is still unclear, but health officials are looking into different types of produce. Kali Kniel, 91原创 professor of microbial food safety, says cyclospora is difficult to detect in food and water, making it 鈥渢ricky鈥 to study.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
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