Program Overview

Introduction to Poultry Science Program

The Department of Poultry Science offers graduate programs in Poultry Science, leading to Master of Agriculture, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. These degrees are designed to prepare outstanding students for careers in the commercial poultry industry, allied industries, government, and academia.

Program Overview

Research training and experience can be acquired in the specialized areas of:

• Poultry management
• Poultry nutrition
• Poultry health (parasitology, pathology, virology)
• Poultry physiology
• Processing and product technology
• Food safety

Admission Requirements

Applicants must indicate which graduate degree they wish to pursue in Poultry Science. All applications are reviewed by the departmental Graduate Committee. Application materials include:

• Official copies of all college transcripts
• TOEFL scores (for international students)
• 3 letters of recommendation
• A resume
• A statement of purpose

Degree Requirements

For graduate studies leading to MS or MAg degrees, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in poultry science, animal science, or the biological sciences from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0. To be considered for the PhD program, applicants must have a MS degree with thesis in an appropriate field.

MS/MAg Degree Requirements

The Master of Science (MS degree) requires a research project with a formal written thesis, while the Master of Agriculture (MAg) requires a research project with a written report. The MS degree requires a minimum of 30 semester credit hours, while the MAg requires a minimum of 33 semester credit hours. Both degrees require a comprehensive final oral examination.

Curriculum

Courses are selected in conjunction with the major professor and advisory committee to address the area of emphasis. All students are required to take:

• 2 credits of POUL 7950, a course in statistics
• 4 credits of POUL 7990 or POUL 7980