Animal Science
Animal science offers an opportunity for training in a diversity of basic sciences and the integration of such knowledge into the framework of a living system. Students can major in animal science or co-major in animal science and one of the following disciplines: biochemistry, genomics, genetics, microbiology, nutrition, physiology or statistics. Students can also concentrate in management and production areas.
Master of Science
A minimum of 30 credit hours, including 18 hours of graduate level course work in the degree program, is required. Students also complete and defend a thesis based on their research. The minor is optional. If a student selects a minor, the advisory committee must include a member from the minor field.
Master of Animal Science
The non-thesis Master of Animal Science (MR) degree (Option B) requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, 19 credits of core courses and 17 credits of elective courses. The MR degree program is also offered through distance education.
Student Financial Support
A limited number of research and teaching assistantships are available for students in the M.S. degree program through the department and are awarded on a competitive basis. Students are also supported by research grant funds awarded to faculty members. The total support package includes health insurance, tuition, and a stipend. Students applying for assistantships should apply by January 31 for fall admission.
Other Relevant Information
To provide an opportunity for students to develop their teaching skills, graduate students in a program that includes a thesis are required to assist in the departmental teaching program regardless of source of financial support. All graduate students in the Department of Animal Science who are mentored by departmental graduate faculty members are required to teach a minimum of one semester during their M.S. program.
More Information
Admission Requirements
Factors considered for admission include: grade point average, scores on the GRE, undergraduate courses, experiences, statement of interest, and letters of recommendation. In addition, a member of the Animal Science Graduate Faculty must be willing to serve as the applicant's advisor for the M.S. program.
Applicant Information
Animal Science (MR)
- Delivery Method: On Campus, Online, Hybrid
- Entrance Exam: GRE
- Interview Required: None
Animal Science (MS)
- Delivery Method: On Campus
- Entrance Exam: GRE
- Interview Required: None
Application Deadlines
- Fall: June 1 (US); March 1 (Intl)
- Spring: November 1 (US); July 15 (Intl)
- Summer 1: March 25 (US); December 15 (Intl)
- Summer 2: May 10 (US); December 15 (Intl)
Faculty
- Glen William Almond
- Joan Eisemann
- Charlotte E. Farin
- Vivek Fellner
- William Lucas Flowers IV
- Fikret Isik
- Sung Woo Kim
- Duane K. Larick
- Hsiao-Ching Liu
- Christian Maltecca
- Melissa Schuster Merrill
- Jeannette A. Moore
- Jack Odle
- Shannon Elizabeth Phillips
- Jorge A. Piedrahita
- Matt H. Poore
- Miles T. See
- Yanbin Shen
- Paul David Siciliano
- Eric VanHeugten
- Elizabeth B. Wilson
- Dana J. Hanson
- Mark T. Knauer
- Daniel Heath Poole
- Korinn Edna Saker
- Giuseppe Valacchi
- Debora A. Esposito
- Jonathan Paul Holt
- Jicai Jiang
- Michael Vadakekara Joseph
- Suzanne McKay Leonard
- Casey C. Nestor
- Carrie L. Pickworth
- Xiaoqiu Wang
- Stephanie Hill Ward
- Kimberly Dawn Ange-Van Heugten
- Deidre Danielle Harmon
- James B. Holland
- Francesco Tiezzi Mazzoni Della Stella Ma
- Shweta Trivedi
- Lin Xi
- Brenda P. Alston-Mills
- Geoffrey A. Benson
- Leonard S. Bull
- Roger G. Crickenberger
- Kenneth L. Esbenshade
- Warren H. Croom, Jr.
- Eugene Eisen
- Winston Murry Hagler
- Raymond W. Harvey
- Brinton Alden Hopkins
- Gerald B. Huntington
- James R. Jones
- Jean-Marie Luginbuhl
- Roger Lee McCraw
- William M. Morrow
- Richard M. Myers
- Robert M. Petters
- Odis Wayne Robison
- Frank D. Sargent
- Jerry Wayne Spears
- Steven Paul Washburn
- Michael David Whitacre
- Lon Weidner Whitlow
- Charles Michael Williams
- Todd Aaron Armstrong
- Raymond Dean Boyd
- Max T. Coffey
- Kent A Gray
- Jeffrey Alan Hansen
- Justin W. Holl
- Elizabeth A. Koutsos
- Douglas Wyatt Newcom
- Theo A. van Kempen
- Rasha Qudsieh
Assistant Professor
- Felipe Alves Correa Carvalho da Silva
Courses
Principles of nutrition, including the classification of nutrients and the nutrient requirements of and metabolism by different species for health, growth, maintenance and productive functions.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Feed mill management, feed ingredient purchasing, inventory, storage, and quality evaluation, computerized feed formulation, feeding programs for poultry and swine, feed mill design, equipment, maintenance, operation, safety, state and federal regulations pertaining to feed manufacture.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Stress Physiology in Animals is a course focusing on the mechanism whereby stress impacts multiple physiological systems throughout the body in animals (human and non-human models). Physiological systems discussed will include the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the immune system, the metabolic system, and the reproduction system.
Typically offered in Spring only
Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) is a multidisciplinary approach to producing safe, quality animal products by improving animal health, welfare, and production while reducing environmental impact and input resources. This course introduces students to the common structure and terminology of PLF systems and provides an overview of PLF concepts. Multiple types of technologies, sensors, and camera systems for various animal species will be covered with hands-on activities for software and hardware applications.
Prerequisite: ST 311
Typically offered in Fall only
This course will discuss aspects of exercise physiology with a focus on equine and canine species, also with some discussion on humans, other athletic mammals, aquatic and avian species. The course will cover elements of bioenergetics and exercise metabolism, cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular adaptations to exercise and training, thermoregulation, performance evaluation, biomechanics and lameness, and exercise-related health conditions, with a comparative nature.
Typically offered in Fall only
Modern evaluation and selection procedures for domestic animals; selection goals, estimation of breeding values and performance testing; their impact on genetic changes.
Typically offered in Fall only
Applied concepts in ruminant nutrition for the practicing agricultural professional. Protein, energy, vitamin and mineral nutrition in relation to the nutritional needs and practical feeding of beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, and goats. New developments in feeding systems, feed additives and the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders. Emphasis on solving problems in case studies. Permission given to undergraduates
Prerequisite: ANS 230 or ANS(NTR,PO) 415. Permission given to undergraduates
Typically offered in Fall only
This course is offered alternate even years
Comparative approach to examining aspects of reproductive physiology in selected vertebrate species. Detailed examination of current reproductive biotechnologies and ethical issues associated with the application of reproductive biotechnologies. Credit will not be given for both ANS 452 and ANS (PHY) 552.
Typically offered in Spring only
This course is offered alternate even years
Introduction to the basic concepts of growth with emphasis on domestic mammals. Growth of the major classes of animal tissues and regulation by endogenous and exogenous factors. Relationship to efficiency of animal production. Credit will not be given for both ANS 453 and 553.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course is offered alternate even years
Nutritional properties of milk as a high-quality food with nutritional diversity. Principles of physiology, biochemistry and cell biology in the mammary gland. Procedures of milk production and milk collection for milk quality and nutrition. Human lactation vs. that of domestic animals. Impacts of biotechnology and food safety on dairy production. Credit will not be given for both ANS 454 and 554.
Typically offered in Spring only
This course is offered alternate even years
This course explores concepts in equine nutrition including digestive physiology of horses, nutrient requirements for different classes of horses and feed management. Ration evaluation and balancing, as well as problem solving will be a core component to this course.
Typically offered in Spring only
This course is offered alternate odd years
This course is about the advanced principles of nutrition within canines and felines. The course focuses on the unique gastro- intestinal tracts for the two species as well as their specific nutrient requirements and how the animal industry addresses these needs.
Restriction: Graduate Student or Senior with 3.35 GPA; Prerequisite: 400-level Nutrition Course
Typically offered in Fall only
Study of hormonal, enzymatic and molecular-genetic regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; emphasis on mammalian species.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course is offered alternate odd years
Selection or assignment of special problems in various phases of animal science.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Special topics in various aspects of animal science offered via Great Plains AG Idea.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
This course is designed to assist graduate students with the preparation of professional information that they may be required to provide as they seek opportunities following graduate school. Course topics will include preparation of personal statements, resumes or curriculum vitae, investigation of the types of careers available to Animal Science graduates, and preparation of multimedia presentations that may be used in formal interviews.
Restriction: Graduate Standing
Typically offered in Spring only
Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.
Typically offered in Fall only
Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.
Typically offered in Spring only
Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Selection or assignment of special problems in various phases of animal science.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Spring and Summer
Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Thesis research.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Summer only
For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their thesis.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Study of protein and amino acid metabolism, regulation, dietary requirements and techniques for their investigation in human and other animals.
Prerequisite: BCH 453, ZO 421, a 400-level nutrition course
Typically offered in Spring only
Survey of reproductive strategies among vertebrates; in-depth coverage of mammalian reproductive physiology; gametogenesis, fertilization, embryonic and fetal development, parturition, puberty, neuroendrocrine control mechanisms in male and female mammals.
Prerequisite: ZO 421
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Quantitative and population genetic theory of breeding problems; partitioning of genetic variance, maternal effects, genotype by environment interaction and genetic correlation; selection indexes; design and analysis of selection experiments; marker-assisted selection.
Prerequisite: GN 509, ST 512
Typically offered in Spring only
Advanced topics in quantitative genetics pertinent to population improvement for quantitative and categorical traits with special applications to plant and animal breeding. DNA markers - phenotype associations. The theory and application of linear mixed models, BLUP and genomic selection using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Pedigree and construction of genomic relationships matrices from DNA markers and application in breeding.
Typically offered in Spring only
Selection or assignment of advanced special problems in various disciplines of animal science.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.
Typically offered in Spring only
Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Selection or assignment of special problems in various phases of animal science.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
ANS 811 is 1 credit hour course focused on safety and ethics in the Department of Animal Science.
P: Graduate Standing
Typically offered in Fall only
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Dissertation research
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Summer only
For students who have completed all credit hours, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination, and residency requirements for the doctoral degree, and are writing and defending their dissertations.
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer