The Department of Animal Science and range Management is one of the Departments in the school of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology. (A)It was set up primarily to train students in the area of Domesticated Livestock Production which include: (a)Cattle (b)Sheep (c)Goats (d)Rabbits (e)Swine (Pigs) (f)Poultry – chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowls etc. (B)It is devoted to the study of animals in the following areas:- (a)Animal production and management (b)Animal Nutrition (feeding) (c)Animal Breeding and Genetics (d)Animal Physiology and Reproduction (e)Animal Health (C)It is carried out on four (4) levels: (a)Bachelor of Agriculture (B.Agric. Animal Science) (b)Post graduate Diploma (PGD) (c)Master of Science (M.Sc) (d)Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) The Department offers undergraduate programmes leading to the degree of B.Agric. (Animal Science). Areas of specialization in the M.Sc. and Ph.D programmes included: (i)Animal Nutrition (ii)Livestock Production and Management (iii)Animal Breeding and Genetics/Cytogenetics (iv)Animal Physiology and Reproduction (v)Poultry Production and Management Philosophy The Programme in Animal Science and range management is designed to provide education in agriculture as applied to all phases of production and distribution of Livestock/poultry and their products.

The programme has as its goal, the production of graduates who possess sufficient competence to:- 1.Own and operate profitable ventures in animal production and related fields. 2.Function as high level technical staff in various facets of animal industry. 3.Extend the technology of animal production to rural communities. 4.Develop innovative practices in animal agriculture through sound understanding of the principles and practices of animal husbandry. 5.Continue to learn and acquire additional skills 6.Undergo advanced studies in Animal Science.

Graduates of the programme may find employment in the following Areas: 1.Federal or State Civil Services as Livestock Officers. 2.Research Institutes with bias for livestock as Research Officer. 3.State Agricultural Development Programmes. 4.Teachers in post primary and tertiary institutions or as Graduate Assistants in the Universities. 5.Private livestock farms established independently by them or jointly with others.

Undergraduate Admission Requirement:

i.GENERAL OBJECTIVES The various programmes are aimed at preparing students for teaching, research and application of scientific knowledge to practical problems of livestock production. The Department of Animal Science has a responsibility to train students in areas of production, processing, distribution, marketing consumption and use of livestock and livestock products. It has a responsibility to search for new knowledge by the application of biological, physical, chemical and economic science to these activities. ii.SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES In Nutrition: Determination of nutritional need and optimal methods of feeding various species of livestock, and to test new ingredients for use in livestock feeds. In Growth and Development: Study of life processes, body functions and responses to environments in order to improve the efficiency and well being of livestock. In Management: To develop and improve management practices for more efficient production of livestock. To improve efficiency through better management of the environment to reduce stress. In Poultry Production: To study specific problems of poultry production relative to nutrition, physiology or management, with the object of solving these problems. In Breeding and Genetics/Cytogenetics: To explore and emphasis the fundamental basis of heredity and variability as well as their applications to animal reproduction/production.

(Minimum requirements for entry to the first year Bachelors Degree) 1.UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS a.JME Entry Requirement to Year I. WASC/GCE ‘O’ Level/SSSC with credit passes in 5 appropriate subjects including English Language and Mathematics obtained in not more than two (2) sittings. In addition the above qualification(s), a candidate must pass the Joint Matriculation Examination (JME) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the University Screening Test organized by the University. b.DIRECT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (YEAR II) For direct entry admission, a candidate must have any of the following qualifications: (i)HSC/GCE ‘A’ Level passes in a minimum of two (2) relevant subjects plus at least credit level passes in WASC/GCE ‘O’ Level/SSSC in a minimum of three (3) subjects including English Language, in not more than two (2) sittings. (ii)HSC/GCE ‘A’ Level passes in three (3) relevant subjects plus credit level passes in WASC/GCE ‘O’Level/SSC in a minimum of two (2) other subjects (including English Language) at not more than two (2) sittings. (iii)OND/ND/UD (upper credit certificates) for admission to Year II provided that requirements through JME are also satisfied. (iv)Relevant HND for admission to year three (3). POST GRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (i)Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Science Candidate seeking admission into the Postgraduate Diploma programme should possess either second class (Lower Division) Bachelors degree in a non-agricultural based discipline or a third class/pass degree in Animal Sciences or a lower credit HND/NND or equivalent qualification in relevant fields earned from Universities, Colleges, Polytechnics or similar institutions recognized by the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. (ii)Master of Science The minimum qualification shall be a second class (Lower Division) Bachelors degree or a good PGD (B. grade average pass) in Animal Science. (iii)Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) 1.The candidate must possess M.Sc with thesis or M.Phil in Animal Science from this University or any other recognized University. In addition, the candidate would have obtained a B.Sc degree (B.Agric, B.Sc) at second class (Lower Division) from this or any other recognized University. 2.Candidate with HND background, with higher qualification may be considered for admission.

(i)Postgraduate Diploma The programme shall normally last for one calendar year. The candidates shall follow the prescribed courses and shall be required to complete a project before graduation. Candidates admitted for the part-time programme shall complete the course work in not more than 24 calendar months. The course work carries a minimum of 12 units and a maximum of 18 units per semester. The project carries 6 units. (ii)Master of Science (Course Work/Project) The course shall be a one-year programme which would involve two semesters of course work and three months of project carrying 6 units. Candidates admitted for the part-time programme shall carry a Minimum of 6 units per semester (i.e.) 12 units/year and a maximum of 9 units per semester (i.e. total of 18 units/year). The course work must be completed in not more than double the time for a full-time student. (iii)Master of Science (Course Work/Thesis) The course shall run for at least 2 years. Candidates shall take prescribed courses for 2 semesters in the first year and shall spend additional 12 months for research. A thesis of acceptable standard shall be written up following completion of the research component. The thesis shall carry 12 units. The minimum course load for a full-time student shall be 12 units per semester and the maximum shall be 18 units per semester. This implies that candidates must take a minimum of 24 units and a maximum of 36 units of prescribed 500-level and graduate course. Candidates enrolled for the part-time programme shall fulfill the above requirements and complete the course work in not more than double the time for a full-time student. (iv)Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) The course shall run for at least 3 years on a full-time basis. The part-time course shall run for not less than double the time for full-time studies.

Minimum passing grade for all courses taken by a postgraduate student is a grade of ‘C’ with a GPA of 4.0 (“B” Average) per semester. To graduate, a student must obtain not less than 24 units of core courses with a “B” average in relevant graduate level courses offered in the Department. This is in addition to the research project for which at least a “B” grade must also be obtained.