Program Overview

Animal Sciences, PhD

The Animal and Dairy Sciences Department offers one of the most comprehensive animal and dairy science graduate programs in the country. Faculty interests and research funding span diverse areas of focus with emphases ranging from in vivo and in vitro studies that probe biological relationships at a fundamental mechanistic level to using bioinformatics and data analytics to study fundamental biology and development of decision support tools for dairy farm management.

Admissions

Admissions to the Animal Sciences, PhD will be suspended as of fall 2026 and will be discontinued as of fall 2032. Students interested in the Animal Sciences PhD may want to consider the Animal and Dairy Sciences PhD, a new program as of Fall 2025. This new program replaces the Animal Sciences PhD.

Graduate Admissions Requirements

• Fall Deadline: May 1 for international applicants; August 1 for domestic applicants
• Spring Deadline: October 1 for international applicants; December 1 for domestic applicants
• Summer Deadline: March 1 for international applicants; May 1 for domestic applicants
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required but may be considered if available
• English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's policy
• Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): Not applicable
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Required Documents

1. Personal statement/reasons for graduate study
2. Three letters of recommendation
3. Transcripts or academic records from each institution attended

Research Focus Areas

Students may choose to focus on the areas of:

• Nutrition
• Rumen microbiology
• Reproductive physiologyendocrinology
• Lactational physiology
• Genetics
• Animal breeding
• Animal behavior
• Muscle biology
• Meat science
• Cell biology
• Animal health
• Immunity and toxicology
• International agriculture
• Precision agriculture

Funding

Financial assistance may be available to qualified individuals in the form of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or fellowships. Funding does not come from the department but from the faculty member agreeing to advise the new student.

Major Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Face to Face: Yes
• Evening/Weekend: No
• Online: No
• Hybrid: No
• Accelerated: No

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 51 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 32 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 26 credits must be graduate-level coursework
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required

Assessments and Examinations

• Schedule preliminary examination and file request with the Graduate Program Manager at least four weeks prior to the exam date
• Complete written preliminary examination; complete oral preliminary examination
• Complete research and thesis
• Request for final examination (including documentation that exam requirements have been met)
• Successfully complete Final Defense and Examination

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate Schools Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Refer to the Graduate School's policy on Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School's policy on Probation.

Advisor / Committee

All Animal Sciences PhD students are admitted to this degree program by their major professor. Following matriculation, the student and major professor determine membership for their PhD Mentor and Preliminary Examination Committee.

Time Limits

To complete the PhD degree in Animal Science, successful completion of the following items is required:

• Select Graduate Program, form a PhD mentor and examination Committee (by end of 2nd semester)
• Meet with your PhD Committee (by end of 2nd Semester)
• Schedule preliminary examination and file request for preliminary examination (by end of 4th semester)
• Complete Written Preliminary Examination, Complete Oral Preliminary Examination (by end of 5th semester)

Professional Development

The Animal and Dairy Sciences graduate programs encourage students to develop Individual Development Plans in collaboration with their major advisor to facilitate professional development.

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulates research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, or practice within the field of study.
2. Formulates ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge within the field of study.
3. Creates research, scholarship, or performance that makes a substantive contribution.
4. Demonstrates breadth within their learning experiences.
5. Advances contributions of the field of study to society.
6. Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.
7. Fosters ethical and professional conduct.