Master of Science Degree in Agriculture (Animal Science)

Combine your love of animals with the skills to conduct research with the master’s degree in agriculture with the animal science subplan/option.

This program will increase your knowledge of animal science, while also enhancing your skills in a specialized area of your choosing through individualized study and research.

With a master’s degree, you also can undertake further specialized training, gain entrance to professional schools, or seek a doctorate.

Admission to the Program

To apply for this program, you must have a bachelor’s degree in an animal-related field and an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 for unconditional admission.

If you do not meet these standards, you can gain conditional admission with the department's approval. However, you must meet the requirements within one semester of admission to the master's program.

In addition, all applicants must have a professor within the department who has agreed to serve as your mentor prior to admission. The Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences also must receive three letters of evaluation from individuals familiar with your academic qualifications and potential as a graduate student.

Applicants must also comply with any university requirements for admission to a graduate program. Admission to the program does not admit a student to candidacy for a degree.

Program Description

As a student, you will work with an appointed advisory committee to develop a program and thesis topic in a selected area of animal science based on your interest and preparation. It could address topics related to animal health, nutrition, physiology, production, or management. You must finalize your program plans and thesis topic by the end of the second semester.

Your program will include a minimum of 30 semester units, including:

• Required basic core courses
• A selection of additional courses in an area of specialization
• Electives
• Independent study
• A thesis.

The degree program shall include a minimum of 30 semester units with the following provisos:

• You must take at least 18 units of graduate 5000- and 6000-level courses.
• You can take no more than 14 units from 4000-level courses.
• You can take 3000-level courses outside the department as needed with the graduate coordinator’s approval.
• You can transfer up to nine units of acceptable graduate credit from another graduate institution.
• As an undergraduate student, you can take no more than nine units of acceptable graduate credit.
• You can use a maximum of nine units taken through the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE) on a contract.
• On your master’s contract, you are limited to a total of nine units from transfers, CPGE or petitioned graduate credits.
• The stipulated time limit of seven years applies to all of the above.

Your professor must approve your selection of animal and veterinary science courses, usually from 4000-, 5000- and 6000-level courses. If you have deficiencies in undergraduate preparatory coursework, you must make them up in addition to the 30 semester units required for the master’s degree.

Admission to the program does not admit students to candidacy for a degree.

To advance to candidacy for this master’s degree and the animal science subplan/option, you must achieve a GPA of 3.0 (B) or better for at least 35 contract units.

Advancement to candidacy is required to register for AVS 6960, the required thesis course, and the awarding of the master's degree.

Students must successfully present and defend their thesis during an oral examination. They must also submit their thesis for binding in accordance with university regulations during the semester in which they expect to graduate.

The master’s program also allows you to pursue an internship that can complement your theoretical and technical studies and prepare you to work in industry.

The candidate must be enrolled in the university during the semester of graduation.