Aarhus University

About

Aarhus University’s academic portfolio is broad ranging, from the classic university disciplines of the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, health sciences and theology to business and engineering, educational theory and practice and the environmental and agricultural sciences. This breadth gives the university a unique opportunity to combine strong disciplines in the creation of research breakthroughs, and to establish close collaboration with many sectors to the benefit of society. In 2023, AU has app. 32.000 students, 2.000 PhD students and in 2022 a total of 8.500 employees.

Animal science is performed at five departments at Faculty of Technical Sciences:

• Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences performs basic, strategic and applied research and innovation within core activities related to health, welfare and nutrition in ruminants and monogastric animals taken into account climate and environmental issues.
• Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) consists of sections for Animal, Plant and Human Genetics. The Animal Genetics Section focuses on genetics, breeding, and genomics to provide knowledge and tools for efficient and sustainable livestock production, biodiversity conservation, reduction in climate and environmental impact, thereby ensuring supply of safe and healthy food of animal origin.
• Department of Agroecology focuses on research supporting the green transition of agriculture through research including organic animal production and life cycle analyses.
• In Department of Food Science, research contributes to a more sustainable food production including climate friendly dairy and egg production as well as meat from cattle, pigs and chickens.
• The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering carries out research in environmental engineering and industrial biotechnology. Research deals with e.g. measurement and abatement of gaseous emissions from livestock facilities as well as green biorefining technologies.

The departments provide education within Agrobiology, Animal Science, Plant and Food Science, Veterinary Medicine, Molecular Nutrition and Food Technology, and Engineering.

Vision

Animal Science at Aarhus University aims at being nationally and internationally recognized for contributing to solving future challenges to achieve sustainable livestock production. Livestock production must be resource-efficient, ensure good animal health and welfare, and deliver safe and healthy food of high quality for the benefit of human nutrition. It must be responsible and dedicated to providing knowledge and tools for sustainable livestock production with reduced climate and environmental impact, improved biodiversity, and thereby contribute significantly to the green transition.

Aarhus University in the Animal Task Force

Aarhus University represents livestock research at institutions in Denmark. The contribution includes bringing knowledge and expertise based on basic, strategic and applied research and innovation within core activities such as animal nutrition, health and welfare, genetics and genomics, climate and environmental impact into the discussions and activities of ATF.