The department has approximately
45 graduate students working on
Master of Science or
Doctor of Philosophy degrees. An occasional student is enrolled for a Master of Professional Studies (Agriculture) degree. The graduate students are housed in Morrison Hall where they work closely with the faculty in a variety of disciplines. The program offers unusual flexibility, easily accommodating individual interests and goals. Graduate students benefit from the
enormous intellectual and other resources of the University and from the lack of departmental or college barriers to study and cooperation among students and faculty with common interests.
Fields and Major Subjects. Depending on their training and disciplinary interests, department members belong to the graduate faculty of one or more of about
five different graduate fields. All are members of the Field of Animal Science. A student applying to the
Field of Animal Science would choose one of the following areas of concentration:
- animal nutrition,
- animal science,
- physiology of reproduction,
- animal genetics or
- animal genomics.
Curiculum:
ANSC 1120 Sustainable Animal Husbandry
(summer only) This course is only offered in the Summer Session. Students completing this course will understand the many roles of domestic animals and the importance of their interdependence with humans; appreciate the scope, diversity, and problems related to domestic animal systems; be able to design and operate simple sustainable animal systems; and know how to continue learning about sustainable animal systems. This intensive course includes 25 hours of lecture and 39 hours of hands-on laboratory/demonstrations at various field sites and facilities all within a three-week period. Topics include domestication, sustainability, dogs, cats, rabbits, sheep, genetics, swine, nutrition, beef cattle, grazing, dairy cattle, dairy products, goats, poultry, aquaculture, camelids, horses, draft animals, animal systems modeling, Third World limited resource animal systems, toxicology, lab animals, toxicology, veterinary medicine, and ethics of human interactions with domestic animals.
AN SC 2250 – Fertilization and New Life Technologies
The primary objectives of AS2250 are to provide students with (1) an in depth understanding of the fundamental aspects of fertilization and (2) an appreciation for the reproductive technologies that have emerged from our understanding of the processes surrounding fertilization and early embryonic development.
ANSC 2140 – Captive Raptor Management and Propagation
This course is an introduction to the natural history, care, and management of raptors (birds of prey). Approaches to captive care and maintenance, restraint, training, and captive breeding with potential for reducing pressures on wild populations of avian species is included. A major objective of the course is to present and discuss the scientific basis and merit of avian husbandry and breeding practices in species relevant to the course. Hands-on opportunities in basic raptor handling techniques are included.
AN SC 2120 – Animal Nutrition
Introduction to animal nutrition, including digestive physiology and metabolism of domestic animals and other species.
AN SC 2150 – Exotic Avian Husbandry and Propagation
Natural history/care/mgmt/health, and breeding of exotic avian species w/emphasis on psittacines (parrots & related species) & raptors (birds of prey). Lectures, demonstrations and optional field trips.
AN SC 2500 – Dairy Cattle Principles
Introduction to background and scientific principles relating to dairy cattle production. Labs provide understanding of dairy cattle production.
AN SC 2650 – Equine Biology and Management
Course provides basics of equine form, function, care, management and handling. Students learn the basic biology of the horse and how to apply this knowledge to solve problems in horse care. Hands-on labs will include safe handling techniques, basic ground work and daily care of class horses. Short trips and tours will illustrate applied concepts in horse industry and health care.
AN SC 3100 – Introduction to Animal Welfare
Animal specific and general areas of welfare discussed for farm and companion animals.
AN SC 3540 – Dairy Cattle Herd Health
Application of scientific principles to practical herd management with emphasis on herd health and animal well-being.
AN SC 3980 – Animals in Biomedical Research
Introduces features and applications of various animal models for biomedical research on human health and diseases.
AN SC 4050 – Molecular and Cellular Approaches to Reproductive Physiology
Lectures on selected topics in reproductive biology of mammals focusing on how research questions are formulated, addressed and influenced by previous discoveries. Labs focus on cellular and molecular methods to study reproduction.
AN SC 4100 – Nutritional Physiology and Metabolism
Focuses on metabolism as well as biochemical & physiological functions of known nutrients. Principles of nutrition elaborated with examples drawn from broad range of species, including humans, integration of nutrition, biochemistry and physiology.
AN SC 4110 – Integrated Cattle Nutrition
Integrates concepts of cattle nutrition and farm nutritional management to help students understand and appreciate factors influencing the performance of cattle under diverse conditions. Herd case studies are used and there are field trips to local farms.
AN SC 4250 – Gamete Physiology and Fertilization (also BIOAP 4250)
Study of the formation, growth, differentiation, and maturation of mammalian sperm and oocytes; gamete transport and interaction with male and female reproductive tracts; and cytological, physiological, and molecular changes required for fertilization. Lecture, discussion, and aspects of gamete physiology and in vitro technologies such as cryopreservation, oocyte maturation, and fertilization are covered.
AN SC 4270 – Fundamentals of Endocrinology
Physiology and regulation of endocrine secretions. Emphasizes neuroendocrine, reproductive, growth, and metabolic aspects of endocrinology. Examples are selected from many animals, including humans.
AN SC 4510 – Dairy Herd Business Management
Emphasizes dairy herd business management with application to herd management analysis. Laboratory includes farm tours and analysis.
AN SC 4511 – Advanced Evidence Based Decision Making on Dairy Farms
Introduction to using dairy herd infomration systems to make management decisions. Focus on understanding of how data are generated and using this information for critical data analysis.
AN SC 4580 – Advanced Spanish for Dairy Producers
Second course of a 2-sequence program that will further develop students' skills to be able to communicate in Spanish higher-level dairy production tasks and principles to Hispanic dairy workers.
AN SC 4700 – Merchandizing Beef Cattle – (Limited to 30 students)
Merchandizing of replacement beef heifers: budgeting, advertising, animal preparation, cataloging, clerking and reporting. Hands on experience by conducting a sale of beef heifers from the Empire Heifer Development Program.
AN SC 4960 - Internship in Animal Science (Fall and spring)
On-the-job learning experience under supervision of qualified professionals. Internships must be approved in advance by student advisor.
AN SC 4970 - Individual Study in Animal Science (Fall and spring)
May include individual tutorial study or a lecture topic selected by a professor. Because topics may change, the course may be repeated for credit.
AN SC 4980 - Undergraduate Teaching (Fall and spring)
Participating student assists in teaching a course allied with his or her education and experience. The student meets regularly with students in a discussion or laboratory section, to gain teaching experience. Further, you will meet regularly to discuss teaching objectives, techniques, and subject matter with the professor in charge. Letter grade.
AN SC 4990 - Undergraduate Research (Fall and spring)
Affords opportunities for students to carry out independent research under appropriate supervision. Anyone interested in undergraduate research should ask their advisor about opportunities.
AN SC 4991 Undergraduate Honors Research in Animal Science
Fall or spring. 6 credits max during undergraduate career. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
AN SC 6100 – Animal Science Seminar
Weekly seminar on topics related to animal science.
AN SC 6190 – Field of Nutrition Seminar
AN SC 6210 – Reproductive Physiology/Endocrinology Seminar
Current research in reproductive physiology is presented by faculty and staff members, graduate students, and invited speakers.
AN SC 6220 – Seminar in Animal Metabolism
Current issues in metabolism are discussed as they relate to productivity, well-being, and diseases of animals. Students present research proposals, progress reports on ongoing projects and recent peer-reviewed publications.
A
N SC 6940 – Special Topics in Animal Science
“Trial” graduate courses are offered under this number.
AN SC 7900 – Graduate-Level Thesis Research
For students in a Ph.D. program only before A exam has been passed.
AN SC 8900 – Master’s-Level Thesis Research
For students admitted specifically to a master’s program.
AN SC 9900 – Doctoral-Level Thesis Research
For students admitted to candidacy after A exam has been passed.
