Applied Animal Science
Bachelor of Animal Husbandry
Career opportunities
Apart from being specialised in a certain species, as a graduate, you will be good in teamwork and able to develop a network in order to keep knowledge and skills up to date. You have a pragmatic and analytic attitude and work result oriented and accurate. You are enthusiastic and inquisitive and able to work in all sorts of fields.
You might become a pig-feed and bio-security specialist at an international organisation such as Nutreco, or a cattle reproduction specialist in a bull station. Or you might help a farmers' organisation implement policy changes on optimal livestock keeping. How about informing and supporting extension workers who work with problems in animal care, feeding and performance? Or conducting research? Whatever you choose, you will be fully equipped to implement the results of research and projects in the daily practice with the chosen species in certain farming systems. In doing so the 'Applied Animal scientist' should involve the interests of the different stakeholders. It involves choices concerning the area of tension between for example food safety, legal enforcement, animal welfare and health and social views versus business economical aspects.
Phaitun Bupphada from Thailand
Student
"As a group of students we set up an advisory company doing business in Croatia. We visited a number of farms, a milk quality lab, an accountancy company, an extension service and a veterinary service. We also gave a lecture about claw health to Croatian students by giving a presentation in class, and showing them how to observe the cows in the stable. The visit gave me a general idea of how people work together in real work situation. My advice is that it is good for students to do the work placement in another country, so you can see the difference in many things between your home country and other countries."
Janet van der Vliet from The Netherlands
Animal health advisor
"I work for a veterinary practice in the East of The Netherlands, helping veterinary surgeons optimise their advice to dairy farmers. Before they make their visits, I analyse the key statistics - this really helps you identify a great deal of health problems at a much earlier stage. Later on, I examine problems in farm operations and review the improvements that might be possible. Observing the animals and considering the farm is equally important. This allows me to provide valuable input to farm consultancy. Livestock breeders can also come to me with specific technical questions - on climate control, for example, or calculating optimum feed levels. I did not get this job immediately. First I worked as a sales representative for an animal feed company. But now I have found my dream job, where nearly every aspect of my studies at Van Hall Larenstein is put into practice."
"It's a gateway to the world of scientific animal research"
"What do you know about a particular species?"