Animal Sciences

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.

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 Teaching 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 32 hours of graduate credit, including 22 hours of lecture and laboratory classes, 2 graduate hours of seminar, and 8 graduate hours of thesis research. At least 12 hours of credit must be in 500-level courses, including at least 8 hours in animal sciences and at least 2 hours of lecture and laboratory classes. Students are expected to register for graduate seminar (0 to 2 graduate hours 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 64 graduate hours of credit beyond the requirements for the M.S. degree, including at least 20 hours of advanced lecture and laboratory courses, 2 hours of seminar, and 32 hours 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.