Zootechnics is an interdisciplinary discipline devoted to rational breeding, rearing and use of animals. The aforementioned major is addressed mainly to individuals interested in natural, biological and agricultural subjects. Taking care of animals properly as well as supervision of animal production requires interdisciplinary knowledge. For that reason in the course of their studies, future zootechnicians expand knowledge concerning animal sciences, their rational breeding and animal production in terms of the organism functioning and the physiological processes taking place in animals as well as their environmental, economic and social conditions. Studying zootechnics provides the students with the opportunity to develop one’s passions and gain professional experience as part of the implementation of classes with highly qualified scientific lecturers in the following fields: biochemistry, biophysics, zoology, botany, microbiology, ecology, anatomy and physiology of animals, genetics and breeding methods, economy, marketing, plant production, animal nutrition and fodder science, prevention and animal welfare, commodity science concerning animal raw materials and products, alternative use of animals and numerous other fields. The Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences offers studies in the field of zootechnics in the form of full-time and part-time studies.
What can zootechnics graduates do when it comes to their professional life?
A graduate of the BA/BSc (engineering) studies in the field of zootechnics is equipped with fundamental knowledge concerning basic, natural, agricultural and technological sciences, has thorough preparation as regards the implementation of tasks in the field of planning, organization and supervision of breeding of all farm animals species. The graduate is equipped with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of zootechnics, animal husbandry and feeding technology as well as the evaluation of raw materials and animal origin products. Such knowledge entitles this individual to plan and supervise the breeding and husbandry of farm animals as well as accompanying animals with ensuring animal welfare, realising breeding works, assessing the quality of feed and nutrition balance in reference to animals, providing animal nutrition consultancy or working in governmental, local and non-governmental units dealing with various sectors of animal production. A graduate of zootechnics is familiar with agrotechnical methods applied in plant production as well as the processes occurring in the breeding environment. Such an individual is aware of potential threats to the natural environment resulting from animal production. Moreover, such an individual is equipped with business knowledge concerning broadly understood agriculture. The graduate has skills connected to the basic elements of work performed in laboratories, knows the principles of ergonomics and occupational health and safety. Students can use measuring equipment, apply appropriate information technologies when establishing databases and processing information. What is more, the graduate has the competence to run farms and provide services connected to human resource management. The graduate is prepared to continue education at MA/MSc studies.
Which areas/industries do zootechnics graduates work in?
In most cases zootechnics graduates work in:
MA/MSc studies (master's studies) in the field of zootechnics are addressed mainly to individuals interested in acquiring advanced knowledge concerning 4 specialties: breeding and use of farm animals, safety connected to food production, breeding of companion animals and free-living animals as well as feed production and nutritional consult services. Within the framework of all specialties, students are provided with practical classes. Majority of those classes are conducted in the laboratory, they involve project or field work. They are conducted by highly qualified scientists working at the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences in the field of, among other things: methodology of carrying out natural experiments, especially experiments involving animals, processing and analysing their results using modern information techniques, molecular biology techniques applied in animal husbandry as well as laws devoted to animal husbandry and food production.
What can zootechnics graduates do when it comes to their professional life?
Graduates of this major are equipped with advanced knowledge concerning zootechnics. Consequently, they are fully prepared for realisation of tasks in the following area: methodical planning and conducting natural experiments, especially experiments involving animals and processing research results using modern information techniques and managing large-size databases in order to optimize breeding and use of various animal species, planning breeding activities and the use of various molecular biology techniques in animal reproduction. Zootechnics students obtain knowledge concerning, among other things, the following areas: nutritional and technological value of feed, feed production technology, modern animal feeding systems as well as the development and structure of feed production centres; breeding and use of livestock and development of agricultural infrastructure, focusing especially on animal breeding units (farms) and animal breeding centres; establishing and operation of breeding centres designated for companion and free-living animals as well as food safety in case of production at primal level.
Which areas/industries do zootechnics graduates work in?
In most cases zootechnics graduates are employed on managerial positions in state and local government administration institutions, at farms and livestock farms, in facilities providing breeding supervision and insemination services, in agricultural consulting institutions, in nutritional consulting and feed production enterprises, in enterprises specializing in trade of animals and animal products. Moreover, the education profile allows the Graduate to start scientific and research work in scientific and scientific-research institutes and to continue education at the PhD level.
