The Animal Science Complex is home to five acres of classroom, laboratory, live animal, and meat processing spaces on East Campus at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. One of the largest academic building on campus, our spaces provide our students the ability to learn through hands-on activities without having to leave campus.
Classrooms
Between 30-seat traditional classrooms, a 200-seat lecture hall, or a 480-seat indoor arena, we have spaces of all sizes to put our students in the best learning environment. After all, the Animal Science Complex is one giant classroom!
Laboratories
Featuring both research and teaching laboratories, our lab spaces provide our students opportunities to get hands-on experience in the areas of animal stress and reproductive physiology, animal genetics/genomics, and the meat processing. There are also species-specific labs, such as our ruminant and non-ruminant animal labs, that allow our faculty, staff, and students the chance to explore all the options of swine, cattle, poultry, and dairy without leaving the building or campus.
Animal Housing
Our on-campus teaching herds allow our students to learn about all life stages of the industry in beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats and equine. By handling the animals daily, students gain knowledge about animal movement and welfare while being supervised by professors and experienced staff members. Our animal areas also offer a great place to hold youth events such as FFA, 4-H, Science Olympia, along with collegiate livestock judging contests, equestrian competitions, and other large events.
Loeffel Meat Laboratory
The Loeffel Meat Laboratory isn't your typical "laboratory." It is a USDA-inspected facility designed for both undergraduate and graduate teaching, research and extension meat science programs. Livestock are harvested and processed on-site for sale in the Loeffel Meat Shoppe with assistance from Nebraska students in the department. Retail sales from the meat shoppe help offset costs associated with the academic programs in animal science.
Other Spaces
Commons
The Animal Science Commons is the "main lobby" area of the Animal Science Complex. The multi-use space is commonly used by students to catch up on school work or visit with classmates. It is also used for larger gatherings and receptions.
Reading Room
The reading room is an excellent place to study between classes. On its shelves are bound copies of theses by our former graduate students and academic journals in poultry, dairy, nutrition, and animal science dating back to 1928.
The Hub
The Hub is our Animal Science student center. Its mission is to facilitate a communal environment to help students make connections and be successful at Nebraska by sharing internship and career opportunities, and providing a conducive space for study and study groups.
Weekly resume labs are also held from 12-2 p.m. on Wednesdays.
R.B. Warren Arena
The 480-seat R.B. Warren Arena is used for both classes and public events. The arena annually hosts Nebraska State FFA events, the Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event, in addition to University of Nebraska-Lincoln events such as the annual Bull Sale and the western riding competition for the university Equestrian team.
What's Up Next...
Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center
The $7.2 million Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center will pave the way for world-class research projects and teaching and extension opportunities in a commercial-scale, state-of-the-art feedlot, while also serving as a one-of-a-kind testbed where industry partners can see how new and emerging technologies work.
Rodeo & Equine Sports Complex
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has embarked on an exciting project to create a $3 million state-of-the-art rodeo and equine sports complex. Spearheaded by a lead gift of $1 million from the Kimmel Foundation, the complex will bolster Nebraska's ability to attract students from across the state who otherwise might have left the state for more robust programs, in addition to attracting students from throughout the country. Most importantly, it will help retain Nebraska students interested in rodeo and equine sports through an increased sense of community.
