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research & publications
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
Vision
To provide outstanding leadership in Animal Production and Rangeland Management in Namibia and the entire Southern African arid zone.
Mission
To actively promote effective learning, research, and participate in the provision of extension and advisory services to farming communities in a manner that enhances sustainable livestock production and development in Namibia.
Main Objectives
Location
The Department of Animal Science is located at Neudamm Campus of the University of Namibia, approximately 40 km east of Windhoek.
Resources and Services
- Highly dedicated and qualified academics offering a wide range of expertise.
- Excellent computing facilities
- About 10,000 hectares of farmland available on-station for experimentation with cattle, sheep, goats and game.
- Animal pens, a milking parlour, a slaughterhouse and a post mortem building.
- Four pit silos, each with a capacity of 50 tonnes, are available for making silage.
- Ample lecture halls and modern research laboratories equipped to assay for nutrients and metabolites in plant and animal tissues and for offering the necessary theoretical and practical training in a variety of Animal Science disciplines.
- Dynamic and relevant undergraduate curricula and postgraduate programmes.
- Service and out-reach initiatives, including short courses.
Teaching
The Department of Animal Science delivers comprehensive educational and research programmes in Animal Production and Rangeland Management. The following programmes are offered:
- Diploma (Agriculture) - 3 years
- BSc. (Agriculture) Animal Science option - 4 years
- MSc. (Rangeland Resources & Management) - 2 years
- MSc. (Animal Science) by research (≥ 2 years)
- PhD (Animal Science) by research (≥ 3 years)
Postgraduate qualifications (by thesis) offered:
PhD and MSc. degrees by research, with specialization in Animal Breeding and Genetics, Animal Nutrition, Animal Physiology, Molecular Genetics, Animal Production, Rangeland Management.
The MSc. in Rangeland Resource and Management (RRM) Programme
This is a two years full-time programme, offered in conjunction with the University of Witwatersrand (RSA) and the University of Eduardo Mondlane (Mozambique) and it comprises one year taught courses, and one year research. Currently, students are enrolled in the programme every other year. The first intake of students took place in 2008, and the next intake will be in 2010.
B.Sc Degree
First Year: Animal Science students spend their First Year at the Main Campus, taking courses
mainly offered by the Faculty of Science.
Second Year: Genetics, Biochemistry, Livestock Production Systems
Third Year: Animal Nutrition, Parasitology, Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Breeding Research Methods I & II, Feeds and Feeding, Animal Health, Pig and Rabbit Production, Game Ranching
Fourth Year: Range and Pasture Management, Beef Production Poultry and Ostrich Production,
Small Ruminant Production Meat Science and Livestock Products, Dairy Production
All students pursuing Animal Science take part in six weeks field attachments in farms, agro industries and research stations at the end of the 2nd and 3rd years of study.
Animal Science curriculum also requires final year students to carry out a research project on any aspect of Animal Science and write up the results in the form of a Research Report. A handbook guiding students on how to write up their reports is available in the Department, and all Fourth Year students are encouraged to contact the HOD and get a copy.
Employment Opportunities
An Animal Science graduate has opportunities to work in the public and private sectors in any of the following capacities: Research Officer Trainee; Extension Officer (Livestock); Secondary School Teacher; Tutor at Universities; Training Officer at Colleges of Agriculture; Farm Manager at Ranches, Mixed Farms or Game Farms, Feed Supervisor at Feed Manufacturing Firms; Meat Supervisor at Meat Industries or Abattoirs; Animal Production Officer with NGOs or CBOs; Ranger, Technologists.
After further specialization at the Masters and PhD levels, an Animal Science graduate can enter the job market as any of the following: Nutritionist, Breeder, Geneticist, Molecular Geneticist, Biotechnologist, Production Systems Specialist, Forage (pasture and Fodder) Agronomist, Range Management Specialist, Game Production Specialist, and University Lecturer, Consultant.
Research
Staff of the Department carry out research into various aspects of animal production both on-station and on-farm. The research interests are variable but can be grouped into the following broad areas:
- Identification of genetic markers associated with animal production traits
- Nutrition and feed evaluation studies
- Diet selection in grazing ruminants and range monitoring
- Long-term assessment of livestock performance
- Disease incidence and control
- Characterization of indigenous chicken
- Productivity of small ruminants in small holdings
Academic Staff
Head of Department: Dr. T O Itenge (Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Wool Science)
Professor: Prof. G P Kaaya (Parasitology)
Associate Professor: Prof. Mpofu (Animal Nutrition)
Senior Lecturer: Dr. B Solomon (Rangeland Management)
Lecturer: Dr. E Lutaaya (Genetics, Animal Breeding, Livestock Production Systems)
Lecturer: Dr. M Tukei (Veterinary Science)
Lecturer: Mr. S P Muteka (Animal Reproduction and Physiology, Animal Health)
Lecturer: Ms. N P Petrus (Poultry and Ostrich Production, Pig and Rabbit Production)
Lecturer: Ms. B Claasen (Meat Science, Small Ruminant Production)
Lecturer: Ms. M Nepembe (Poultry & Ostrich Production, Pig & Rabbit Production)
Staff Dev. Fellow: Mr. C Mberema
Staff Dev. Fellow: Mr. G Tjiho
Tutor/SDF: Ms. M Shipandeni
Technical staff
Technologist: Mr. L S Samunzala
For further information, contact:
Dr. T. O. Itenge
Head of the Department of Animal Science
Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of Namibia
P/Bag 13301
Windhoek, Namibia
Tel: +264 61 2063930/3890
Fax: +264 61 2063013
Email: titenge@unam.na
Website: www.unam.na
 
 
Mr E. Nowaseb
The Faculty Officer
Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of Namibia
Private Bag 13301
WINDHOEK, Namibia
Tel: (061) 206 3363 / 3890
Fax: (061) 206 3013 / 206 4027
E-mail: enowaseb@unam.na
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