ANIMAL SCIENCES

Head of the Department: Robert A. Easter

Graduate Program Coordinator: Bryan A. White

Correspondence and Admission Information: Department of Animal Sciences, 116 Animal Sciences Laboratory, 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-3462; E-mail: s-franks@uiuc.edu

URL: www.ansci.uiuc.edu

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 man agement 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.

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 60 hours 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.

Graduate Teach ing Experience

Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is required as part of the academic work of all Ph.D. candidates in this program.

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Students must complete a minimum of eight units of graduate credit, including 5.5 units of lecture and laboratory classes, 1/2 unit of seminar, and two units of thesis research. At least three units of credit must be in 400-level courses, including at least two units in animal sciences and at least 1/2 unit of lecture and laboratory classes. Students are expected to register for graduate seminar (0 to 1/2 unit of credit) during each semester of study. A comprehensive oral examination concerning the thesis and other areas of animal agriculture are required.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Doctoral candidates must complete a minimum of 16 units of credit beyond the requirements for the M.S. degree, including at least five units of advanced lecture and laboratory courses, one unit of seminar, and eight units of thesis research. 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.

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.