Veterinary pipeline
UD pre-veterinary medicine majors go hands-on in Penn’s Animal Model Core & Comparative Orthopedic Research Lab
Medicine meets mentorship
UD pre-veterinary medicine alumna
extends knowledge through UD student mentorship
First Generation Blue Hen Scholar
McNair Scholar Luis Moreno studies animal behavior while promoting cultural exchange
Food science exploration
Melinda Hill explores food science career possibilities through internships and independent projects
From face-offs to the farm
OJ Morris excels on the lacrosse field and in pre-veterinary medicine
Veterinary Director
Alumna Jennifer Puttress emphasizes UD’s role in veterinary career success
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 — 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. 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
University of Delaware students show off the versatile Anatomy and Physiology Instructional Lab: youtube.com/watch?v=PI2gfF1WlYc
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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Veterinary pipeline
September 08, 2025 | Written by Nya Wynn | Photos by Evan KrapeUD pre-veterinary medicine majors go hands-on in Penn’s Animal Model Core & Comparative Orthopedic Research Lab. The program trains the next generation of veterinarians, researchers and clinician-scientists. That includes UD Class of 2024 alumna Jenna Miller, who, after getting hands-on experience through the program, went on to veterinary school at Midwestern University. -
From the South African wilds, Aniya Brown reports
July 24, 2025 | Written by NC State College of Veterinary MedicineAniya Brown is a Delaware native and rising junior at the University of Delaware. She is traveling over 8,000 miles this summer for a three-week extramural experience service trip with Live4Now W!ld Vets in South Africa. She recounts her experience in this story. One of her highlights included assisting a buffalo-breeding program to help maintain a foot-and-mouth disease-free herd. -
Ag in the Family
July 15, 2025 | Written by Molly SchaferDouble Dels Gregg and Stephanie (Cannon) Knutsen met 26 years ago as undergraduates at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Knutsens run G&S Dairy, one of Delaware’s few remaining dairy farms. Attending the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is now a family tradition. The Knutsens’ eldest daughter, Bethany, a member of UD’s award-winning Soils Judging Team, graduates in December.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Upcoming events