Animal Sciences
Graduate Program Coordinator: Bryan A. White
116 Animal Sciences Laboratory
1207 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3462
E-mail: amosley@illinois.edu
Major: Animal Sciences
Degrees offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Major: Bioinformatics
Degrees offered: M.S.
Graduate Concentration: Animal Sciences
Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Animal Sciences and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Animal Sciences offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Fields of specialization include animal breeding and genetics, animal behavior, biochemistry, environmental physiology, immunobiology, meat science and muscle biology, microbiology, nutrition, systems of animal management and production, physiology of lactation, and physiology of reproduction. Beef and dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, swine, and a variety of companion and laboratory animals are available for study.
The genomic and proteomic projects are generating large amounts of complex biological data that require effective storage, retrieval, analysis and interpretation. The bioinformatics degree program provides students with the skills necessary to augment the understanding and use of agricultural, biological and medical information and resources through the application of molecular, chemical, physical, computational, statistical, mathematical and informatic techniques. Students interested in this program may come with undergraduate training in one of the following areas: (a) biological and agricultural sciences, (b) statistical, mathematical and computer sciences, (c) informatics and engineering sciences. Graduates from the Bioinformatics program will be able to integrate basic and applied concepts in the three areas and applied them to biotechnology and medical research.
Admission
Candidates for admission to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution equivalent to those from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher (A = 4.0) for the last two years of undergraduate work and for any graduate study is required for admission. Students must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and are recommended to take the advanced test in biology. The minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score is 590 on the paper-based test or 243 on the computer-based test. Emphasis is placed on a student’s interest and ability in research as demonstrated by previous work and letters of recommendation. Admission is possible for spring semester.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science, Animal Science
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture and laboratory classes | 22 |
| Graduate seminar enrollment is required every semester (max 2 hours can be applied to the degree) | 0-2 |
| Thesis Hours Required–ANSC 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 8 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
| Minimum Hours Overall Required Within the Unit: | 8 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
A comprehensive oral examination concerning the thesis and other areas of animal agriculture are required.
Master of Science, Bioinformatics
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| From the BioinformaticsMS Biology core course list | 4 |
| From the Bioinformatics MS Bioinformatics core course list | 4 |
| From the Bioinformatics MS Computer Science core course list (CS 411 or CS 473) | 4 |
| Graduate seminar enrollment is required every semester (max 2 hours can be applied to the degree) | 2 |
| Thesis Hours Required–ANSC 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 8 |
| Total Hours | 36 |
| Minimum Hours Overall Required Within the Unit: | 8 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* A concentration is required. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Doctor of Philosophy
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Advanced lecture and laboratory courses | 20-28 |
| Graduate seminar enrollment is required every semester (max 4 hours can be applied to the degree) | 0-4 |
| Thesis Hours Required–ANSC 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 32-40 |
| Total Hours | 64 |
| Other Requirements: | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
| Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? | No, but Masters level requirements must be met (32 hours min) |
| Qualifying Exam Required | No |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
Students must pass preliminary and final examinations administered by committees appointed by the dean of the Graduate College. The final examination is limited to a presentation and defense of the thesis research
Medical Scholars Program
The Medical Scholars Program permits highly qualified students to integrate the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including Animal Sciences. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. Applicants to the Medical Scholars Program must meet the admissions standards for and be accepted into both the doctoral graduate program and the College of Medicine. Students in the dual degree program must meet the specific requirements for both the medical and graduate degrees. On average, students take eight years to complete both degrees. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Medical Scholars Program, 125 Medical Sciences Building, (217) 333-8146 or at www.med.illinois.edu/msp.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is encouraged as part of the academic work of all Ph.D. candidates in this program.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for graduate students is available in the form of fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, tuition and partial fee waivers, and traineeships. Qualified candidates are considered for financial support upon application. Graduate students making satisfactory progress toward their degrees generally receive a full tuition waiver and a partial fee waiver, as well as a stipend.