As the only U.S. land grant university in the tropics, the University of Hawaii has research and extension programs that extend throughout the Pacific basin. The state of Hawaii, because of its location and topography, has a range of climates in agriculture, from tropical to temperate. From its beginning as the Hawaii College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts in 1907, the University has grown into a teaching, research and extension institution with an enrollment of 20,000.
Through
the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences offers undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.S.) degree programs. The Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences is engaged in research in many aspects of animal agriculture, with a special focus on the challenges to animal production in a tropical environment. Through the Co-operative Extension Service, the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences provides advice and instruction to animal producers and associated industries.
The Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences conducts basic and applied research with beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, and certain aquatic species. The candidate for a graduate degree will participate in studies, which are designed to improve production efficiency and assist in the economic development of animal industries in tropical and subtropical regions.
Emphasis is placed on the application of scientific methods for the development of the animal industries in subtropical and tropical environments. Breeding studies are designed to evaluate performance of purebred and crossbred animals in a subtropical environment. Nutritional studies are conducted to evaluate feedstuffs and forages produced locally and to formulate rations for improved performance in subtropical and tropical climates. Physiological studies are conducted in management and reproduction of farm animals with respect to effects of tropical environments. Studies on meat science and growth biology include biochemistry and physiology of muscle development and protein accretion in meat animals and aquatic species in tropical and subtropical climates. Aquaculture production research emphasizes growth pattern, biology, and pond ecosystems.
Graduate students in Animal Sciences may elect to pursue either a thesis (Plan A) or a non-thesis (Plan B) M.S. program. Graduate students in animal nutrition may pursue a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences. In addition, graduate students in reproduction in Animal Sciences may enter the joint Ph.D. program in reproduction offered by the Department of Animal Sciences and the Department of Anatomy and Reproductive Biology in the School of Medicine. Other joint Ph.D. programs can be arranged. Teaching and research programs for graduate students are developed to meet the interests and needs of individual students that are compatible with the expertise of the faculty in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences.
Research Facilities
A large-animal facility on the big island of Hawaii, and a small-animal facility for intensive animal research on the Manoa campus are available to the animal science graduate program. Several laboratories managed by individual faculty members, including animal nutrition, reproduction and endocrinology, molecular biology, animal biotechnology, aquatic species culture, and animal tissue culture are available on campus. Laboratories are well equipped with instruments such as liquid scintillation counter, high and ultra-centrifuge, protein gel electrophoresis system, image document system, HPLC, PCR and real-time PCR. The Department is also hosting a computer center for handling animal production data and statistical analysis to support on-going extension and research programs. Aquaculture facilities, including ponds, tanks and hatcheries may be available through cooperation with other agencies or institutes in Hawaii.