Human society is related to animals in diverse ways; animals are used not only for food production but also for experimentation in medical and pharmaceutical research, which serves as the basis for healthcare, medicine and pharmacy. Animals also function as means of psychological therapy and serve as companion creatures. Such utilization and application of animals to human activities involves numerous problems that cannot be resolved without applied research and technological development, which are based on fundamental research. With this fact in mind, the Department of Animal Science carries out fundamental research to clarify various functions (heredity, reproduction, physiology, immunity, nutrition and ecology) relating to vital phenomena at the levels of animal cell, individual and group. The Department also works on applied research to find solutions for various problems relating to animal production, human health and medicine, to apply such solutions in technological development, and even to address challenges in the biotechnology-based production, management and logistics of livestock food products. Through these research activities, the Department seeks to develop human resources who are equipped with highly specialized knowledge based on comprehensive perspectives, and who have problem-solving and R&D capabilities.