M.S. Animal Science

M.S. Animal Science

Master of Science: Animal Science

Master of Science in Animal Science provides three options for specialization:

Animal Products Technology
Animal Nutrition and Forages, and
Animal Reproductive Physiology and Cell Biology.

Students worming goats The primary objectives of the MS degree program in Animal Science are:
to increase the number of students currently underrepresented in graduate education in the area of Animal Science, to prepare students for study toward a terminal degree in some areas of animal science in other institutions of higher education in the state of Georgia and across the nation, to enhance the scientific and technical knowledge base of students to prepare them for employment in animal agriculture-related industries and agencies, and to prepare students for leadership roles in a technologically advanced society through study of important and modern aspects of animal science, such as animal biotechnology, cell biology, nutrition, and product technology, with an emphasis on small ruminants.

Admissions Requirements

To be admitted into the graduate program, a candidate will be required to have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.00 or better on the scale of 4.00 or equivalent from an accredited undergraduate program in animal or life sciences. Provisional acceptance may be offered to students with CGPA of 2.7 provided that the students can provide three strong letters of recommendation describing their academic potential for graduate study. International students whose native language is not English will be required to take TOEFL and pass it with a score of 500 for acceptance into the graduate program. For both international and national students, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be considered in the evaluation process.

The program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including research and thesis. Examples of major degree requirements for each field are given below.

Core Requirements

ANSC 5103 Biometrics (3 hrs)
ANSC 5113 Physiological Chemistry I (3 hrs)
ANSC 5203 Experimental Design and Data Analysis (3 hrs)
ANSC 5123 Physiological Chemistry II (3 hrs)

Major Degree Requirements

Animal Nutrition Option

ANSC 5183 Analytical Techniques in Biological Sciences (3 hrs)
ANSC 6143 Ruminant Nutrition (3 hrs)
ANSC 6223 Digestive Physiology and Intermediary Metabolism (3 hrs)
ANSC 6163 Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism (3 hrs)
ANSC 6153 Animal Energetics (3 hrs)
ANSC 6103 Plant-Herbivore Interactions (3 hrs)
ANSC 6436 Research and Thesis (1-6 hrs)

Animal Products Technology Option

ANSC 6353 Food Analysis (3 hrs)
ANSC 6373 Food Chemistry (3 hrs)
ANSC 6383 Structure and Biochemistry of Muscle as Food (3 hrs)
ANSC 6413 Food Microbiology (3 hrs)
ANSC 6403 Processed Meat Technology (3 hrs)
ANSC 6393 Dairy Products Technology (3 hrs)
ANSC 6436 Research and Thesis (1-6 hrs)

Reproductive Physiology and Cell Biology Option

ANSC 5293 Advanced Vertebrate Physiology (3 hrs)
ANSC 5323 Advanced Gross Anatomy (3 hrs)
ANSC 6283 Physiology of Reproduction (3 hrs)
ANSC 6273 Cell Physiology (3 hrs)
ANSC 6303 Molecular Biology Techniques (3 hrs)
ANSC 6253 Molecular Endocrinology (3 hrs)
ANSC 6436 Research and Thesis (1-6 hrs)

Electives

ANSC 5293 Advanced Vertebrate Physiology (3 hrs)
ANSC 5323 Advanced Gross Anatomy (3 hrs)
ANSC 5183 Analytical Techniques in Biological Sciences (3 hrs)
ANSC 5213 Lactation Physiology (3 hrs)
ANSC 6173 Non-Ruminant Nutrition (3 hrs)
ANSC 6423 Food Quality Assurance (3 hrs)
ANSC 6133 Mineral and Vitamin Metabolism (3 hrs)
ANSC 6421 Graduate Seminar (1 hrs)

Graduation Requirements

A cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.0 on a 4-point scale, completion of a research project and thesis, and successful thesis defense are required.
Support Services: A TA-licensed slaughter and meat processing facility (HACCP-certified); a “Grade A” dairy technology facility; and well-equipped nutrition, physiology, cell biology, forage quality evaluation, meat science, food chemistry, sensory, and computer laboratories with access to various software, including SAS and SPSS. Graduate students have access to various professional journals, books, videos and other materials at the Hunt Memorial Library on main campus, in addition to on-line access to libraries within the University System of Georgia via GALILEO.

Scholarships

Limited graduate research assistantships are offered to qualifying students. To qualify for graduate assistantship, applicants must have undergraduate CGPA of 3.25 or graduate CGPA of 3.40 and must have a minimum composite score of 900 (verbal and quantitative) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). There are other Departmental, College, and University level scholarships and assistantships available to qualifying graduate students majoring in Animal Science.

Internships

Animal Science graduate students have opportunities to work in various agricultural and biomedical research facilities operated by federal, state, and private agencies throughout the Nation. Students also have opportunities to gain international experience in certain disciplines.

Clubs and Organizations

Students are encouraged to become members of professional organizations such as the American Society of Animal Science and American Dairy Science Association, and on-campus organizations such as the Animal Science Club and Graduate Student Association.

After completing the MS program, career options may include the following:
Private and public biotechnology companies;
Agencies involved in the production, processing, distribution, and utilization of
Agricultural products;
Veterinary and medical professions;
Research and teaching;
Food quality control; and
Food processing areas.

For more information, contact:
Govind Kannan, Ph.D., Coordinator of Animal Science Program, Animal Science Research Building, Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center, Room 143
Office Number: 478-827-3085
Fax Number: 478-825-6376
govindak@fvsu.edu

Mrs. LaTonia Hooks, Secretary, Stallworth Agricultural Research Station
478-825-6322
hookl@fvsu.edu