Diploma in Animal Science Technology: Beef Science Major
Vermilion, Canada
Diploma
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
CAD 20,185 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* includes tuition, fees, books/supplies, and mandatory health insurance
Key Summary
About: You'll study commercial and purebred cow/calf operations and feedlots from calving through the full production cycle. Courses cover livestock genetics, meat science, business management and calving management. Hands-on, student-led learning uses a student-managed farm, practicum, field trips, industry events. The program runs in one or two years and prepares you for farm and ranch roles in beef production and animal husbandry.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work as feedlot and beef labourers and managers; sales representatives for livestock feed and pharmaceutical companies; livestock support, feed and health regulatory technicians; genetics and livestock research technicians or run their own farm or ranch.
Go straight to the heart of one of Alberta’s biggest industries – beef.
You’ll study commercial and purebred cow/calf operations as well as feedlots. And, you’ll start at calving and go through the complete production cycle. Your courses range from livestock genetics to meat science.
Hands-on and student-led experiences are the bedrock of this program. You’ll go beyond the classroom and into the real world from pasture to plate.
Those opportunities are centred on our student-managed farm (SMF) model. Or, if you choose a student-directed practicum.
For example:
- hone your business management and marketing skills using real-time data to make decisions
- build leadership and organization skills by planning and running sales and events such as The Roundup
- experience summer and winter calving management options
You’ll be ready to start your career in any industry sector, or on your own farm or ranch.
Year I Required Courses
- Microeconomics
- Business Records & Reporting
- Introduction to Diseases & Treatments
- Introduction to Animal Science & Business Communications
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Animal Handling, Welfare and Ethics
- Introduction to Livestock Nutrition
- Introduction to Student Managed Farm
- Beef Production
- Range and Forage Management
Year II Required Courses
- Financial Management
- Genetics of Livestock
- Reproductive Physiology
- Livestock Marketing and Sales
- Food Safety and Meat Science
- Cow-calf Management
- Feedlot Production
- Beef Sustainability and Technology
Students are required to choose two of the below
- Student Managed Farm Livestock I
- Student Managed Farm Livestock II
or
- Student Directed Livestock Practicum I
- Student Directed Livestock Practicum II
Animal Science Technology (AST) beef science major graduates typically find work as:
- labourers and managers in feedlot, beef and other livestock operations
- sales representatives for livestock feed and pharmaceutical companies
- livestock support technicians
- feed and health regulatory support technicians
- genetics technician
- livestock research assistant