The Department of Animal Science and
Animal Nutrition at Balıkesir University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
consists of four main branches: Biostatistics, Genetics, Animal Nutrition and
Nutritional Diseases, and Animal Science.
The
Department of Biostatistics provides
essential scientific support to the fields of animal science and animal
nutrition through data analysis and research methodology. Accurate statistical
evaluation is crucial in studies related to animal production, genetic
improvement, feed evaluation trials, and ration optimization. Our department
offers undergraduate and graduate courses covering experimental design,
analysis of variance, regression models, multivariate statistical techniques,
and biometric applications. By ensuring proper statistical planning in research
projects conducted in animal science and nutrition, the department enhances
scientific validity and reliability. Through the use of modern statistical
software and up-to-date analytical approaches, the Department of Biostatistics
contributes to improving efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in animal
production systems.
The Genetics Department conducts basic and
applied research aimed at increasing productivity, quality, and sustainability
in animal production. Studies focus on molecular genetics, population genetics,
quantitative genetics, gene polymorphisms, and gene expression. The main research
areas in the department include determining the relationships between
performance characteristics and genetic markers in farm animals, identifying
mutations that cause hereditary diseases, detecting individuals carrying
genetic diseases, and developing controlled elimination strategies in herd
management. In this context, the scientific planning of breeding programs and
the application of genomic selection approaches are aimed for. DNA isolation,
PCR-based analyses, genotyping, and sequencing studies are carried out at the
molecular level within the department.
The Department of Animal Nutrition
and Nutritional Diseases conducts education, training, and research activities in the fields of
feeds used in animal nutrition, feed additives, feed hygiene, the nutrition of
ruminants, poultry, other farm animals, pet animals, and aquaculture, and the
prevention of nutrition-related diseases. The department conducts scientific
research in various fields such as feed technologies, silage microbiology,
microbiome-based nutrition, fermented feed technology, in vivo nutrient digestibility,
alternative feeds, and phytogenic feed additives.
The Department of Animal Science conducts education
and research activities on the morphological and physiological characteristics,
performance functions, and genetic improvement methods of different animal
species, primarily cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and poultry. Animal breeding, selection
programs, performance recording systems, biometric applications, herd
management, and livestock economics are among the main areas of study of the
department.
In
addition to theoretical courses, the Department of Animal Science and Animal
Nutrition also provides practical training in feed and nutrient analysis,
animal nutrition, feed additives and diet formulation, genetics, and animal
science. Alongside educational activities, scientific research is conducted in
the fields of animal nutrition and nutritional diseases, genetics, animal
science, and biostatistics. The department houses feed analysis laboratories and
genetics and zootechnics laboratories. The department carries out its
scientific research activities at the University’s Animal Husbandry Application
and Research Center, specializing in broiler, quail, laying hen, and sheep
production.
Department conducts fundamental and
innovative scientific research and carries out projects aimed at solving
problems related to animal husbandry, breeding, animal nutrition, and
production at national and regional levels, as well as farmer training
activities. Comprehensive analyses at the DNA level are performed in our
molecular genetics research laboratory. Furthermore, the feed analysis
laboratory provides services to the sector; the department provides consultancy
to the livestock industry in the region and conducts joint scientific research
in the fields of animal husbandry, breeding, and animal nutrition.
The department also carries out EU
Erasmus+ Cooperation partnerships in
higher education projects with Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia and Spain,
namely “BEEurban-Buzzing Futures: Enhancing Entrepreneurship Skills and
Competences in Urban Beekeeping” (2024-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000249359), “WANTOFISH”
(2024-1-TR01-KA220-HED-000247730) and E-CarboN
(2025-1-BG01-KA220-HED-000349535).
The
Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases admits students to
Master’s and Doctoral programs within the Institute of Health Sciences and is
responsible for the delivery and coordination of graduate education.
The
department comprises 2 Professors, 3 Associate Professors, 1 Assistant
Professor, and 1 Research Assistant.
Yours sincerely,
Head of Department
