Program Overview

Master of Science in Applied Animal Biology (MSc)

The Master of Science in Applied Animal Biology (MSc) program offers opportunities for advanced study and research in animal physiology, behaviour, welfare, and management of livestock, companion animals, research animals, wildlife species, aquaculture, and on the human-animal relationship.

Overview

The program is enriched through collaboration with colleagues in other UBC graduate programs such as Zoology, Population and Public Health, and with agencies such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Dairy Farmers of Canada, and other livestock agencies and the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA).

Program Structure

Graduate training at the M.Sc. level in applied animal biology requires that the student completes a body of research leading to a thesis. Students are expected to publish their research results in relevant leading international refereed journals.

• Completion of the MSc program requires a thesis (12 or 18 credits) plus coursework, for a total of 30 credits.
• With a 12-credit thesis, students can include a maximum of 6 credits of senior undergraduate courses.
• With an 18-credit thesis, students can include a maximum of 3 credits of senior undergraduate courses.
• Students who are planning a professional career will typically enrol in the 12-credit thesis option.
• The 18-credit value option requires a more intensive research experience and is more appropriate for students considering the PhD program or a research career.

Admission Information & Requirements

Minimum Academic Requirements

• The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC).
• The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements.

English Language Test

• Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application.
• Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
• Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:
  • TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based
    • Overall score requirement: 90
    • Reading: 22
    • Writing: 21
    • Speaking: 21
    • Listening: 22
  • IELTS: International English Language Testing System
    • Overall score requirement: 6.5
    • Reading: 6.0
    • Writing: 6.0
    • Speaking: 6.0
    • Listening: 6.0

Prior Degree, Course, and Other Requirements

• Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements.
• Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in Canada or the United States, and international countries other than the United States.

Tuition & Financial Support

Tuition

• Fees for Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat:
  • Application Fee: $118.50
  • Tuition per installment: $1,875.34
  • Tuition per year: $5,626.02
• Fees for International:
  • Application Fee: $168.25
  • Tuition per installment: $3,294.66
  • Tuition per year: $9,883.98

Financial Support

• All full-time doctoral students within the AANB program will be provided with a funding package of at least $22,000 for each of the first two years of their M.Sc.
• The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships.

Career Options

Graduates of the Applied Animal Biology program have pursued academic positions at universities or colleges, research positions at universities and government institutions, consultant positions, or careers in animal-related fields including veterinary medicine, the animal feed manufacturing industry, wildlife rehabilitation, non-profit organizations, and others.

Research Supervisors

• Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor.
• All applicants need firm commitment from a supervisor prior to applying.

Sample Thesis Submissions

• Dulse seaweed Devaleraea mollis mitigates effects of ocean acidification on larval Pacific oysters Magallana gigas
• In silico predicted association of non-coding RNAs with antiviral defence systems in bovine-derived Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
• Luteinizing hormone profile following exogenous GnRH at the time of artificial insemination in spontaneous estrous events of lactating Holstein cows
• Automated monitoring of grooming behaviour in dairy cows
• "Chickens living in better environments lay happier eggs": consumer attitudes towards cage-free eggs
• The effect of progesterone exposure on estrous expression and ovulation timing in holstein heifers
• Providing a choice: individual dogs’ preferences for activity-based environmental enrichment in an animal shelter

Related Programs

• Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Animal Biology (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Human Nutrition (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science (PhD)
• Graduate Certificate in Aquaculture (GCAQUA)
• Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
• Master of Food Science (MFS)
• Master of Land and Water Systems (MLWS)
• Master of Science in Food Science (MSc)
• Master of Science in Human Nutrition (MSc)
• Master of Science in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (MSc)
• Master of Science in Plant Science (MSc)
• Master of Science in Soil Science (MSc)