Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences - MS, PhD

About This Degree

The Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences department hosts a broad range of graduate research areas, ranging from traditional livestock production to basic molecular research designed to answer questions related to both animal and human health. Some of the basic research conducted includes cloning, molecular biology, genomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics.

The department has access to both on-campus and off-campus lab facilities and equipment allowing research in all of these areas. In addition, there are several livestock research farms located within 30 minutes of the main campus.

Most research labs consist of 3-5 members, which allows for one-on-one mentoring. Approximately five new students are admitted each year, making this a competitive program with a strong sense of community amongst its graduate students and faculty.

To be accepted to a graduate program, applicants must first identify a faculty member advisor. Visit our department page about research areas and the respective faculty members to learn more.

Specialization:

Animal Health and Disease:

In this specialization, students focus on molecular biology, intentional genetic alteration for animal health, pathology, virology, and disease detection using conventional and advanced molecular technologies, epidemiology, parasitology, pharmacology, toxicology, and microbiology.

Animal Molecular Genetics:

This specialization involves technologies in genome analyses, whole genome scanning, marker assisted selection, and the identification of economically important trait loci in livestock animals.

Animal Nutrition:

Students in this specialization have the opportunity to study a number of different topics related to animal nutrition, such as development of new feed additives that improve animal performance, innovations in grazing practices that optimize ruminant production, the development of feasible approaches for sustainable agriculture, and more.

Animal Management:

For students seeking careers in production animal agriculture, this specialization prepares students for the challenges facing the animal industry and commodity groups in the 21st century.

Reproduction and Development:

Students in this specialization explore aspects of gamete formation, early embryo development, gene regulation, embryonic stem cell characteristics and applications, reproductive immunology, and more.