Animal Science AAS Degree

You learn the complete life cycle of beef and swine from pasture to plate, and gain hands-on skills and knowledge in:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Animal behavior
• Record keeping
• Proper animal care
• Feeding and nutrition
• Reproduction and reproductive technology
• Production and farm management
• Meat science/butchering

Explore Courses, Details, and Costs

You graduate certified in:

• Beef Quality Assurance®
• Pork Quality Assurance® Plus 
• Fear Free®

Gain 320 hours of real-world work experience through internships with ag industry leaders across Eastern Iowa, ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

Expand your knowledge and leadership skills at the Postsecondary Agricultural Student (PAS) Conference and the Iowa Pork Congress.

Visit meat processing plants and various size farming operations to learn how your skills and knowledge can be applied in a variety of work environments.

At Hawkeye’s 260-acre Farm Lab, you learn farm management, animal production, and crop production skills. Working with experienced faculty, you take an active role in raising livestock and tackling the day-to-day operations of a real working farm.

This program qualifies for the Kibbie Grant that can help you cover part of your tuition and fees.

You must apply for, be awarded, and meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for the Kibbie Grant.-

This a partial list of employers who have hired Animal Science graduates:

• ADM Alliance Nutrition, Quincy, IL
• Heartland Co-op, West Des Moines, IA
• JBS USA, Marshalltown, IA
• Tyson Foods, Inc., Waterloo, IA
• USDA Food Safety Inspection Service
• Westwood Embryo Services, Waverly, IA

You can get right to work after your program. Or, if you plan to earn an associate degree and go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, consider your transfer options.

An articulation agreement allows you to transfer your Animal Science coursework to the Animal Science/Pre-Veterinary Medicine program at Iowa State University.

Hawkeye also has transfer relationships with Northwest Missouri State University, South Dakota State University, and University of Wisconsin—Platteville.

If you’re interested in transferring, you must work closely with a program advisor here and at the transfer institution. This is important to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

Plan your transfer