University Catalog 2024-2025

EXPLORE PROGRAMSAPPLY

Poultry Science

Course offerings and research programs are comprehensive in the areas of physiology, nutrition, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, food science, immunology, genetics, pathology, and toxicology. The demand for skilled workers with advanced training in poultry science is far greater than the supply. Opportunities exist for graduates in research and teaching in universities, government, and private industry.

Master's Degree Requirements

While there are no specific course requirements for the master's degree in Poultry Science, most programs complete 36 credit hours.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

See Animal Science and Poultry Science.

Student Financial Support

Both research and teaching assistantships are available on a competitive basis within the department. General requirements for these assistantships are as described in the Graduate Catalog. Other financial support may be available in the form of graduate stipend supplementation, research grant support, or out-of-state tuition waivers in accordance with the University's Graduate Student Support Plan.

Other Relevant Information

The Department of Poultry Science occupies modern facilities in Scott Hall, a three-story building on the main campus adjacent to the D.H. Hill Library. The department consists of about 20 faculty, approximately 40 support staff, 25 graduate students and postdoctoral associates, and 100 undergraduate students.

Poultry Science Program Website

Admission Requirements

Factors considered for admission include grade point average, strength of prior academic program, experience, letters of recommendation, and special skills or interests. GRE scores are recommended, but not required.

Applicant Information

  • Delivery Method: On-Campus
  • Entrance Exam: None
  • Interview Required: None

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: July 1 (US Citizens and Permanent Residents); June 1 (International Candidates)
  • Spring: November 25 (US Citizens and Permanent Residents); October 10 (International Candidates)
  • Summer 1: March 25 (US Citizens and Permanent Residents); February 20 (International Candidates)
  • Summer 2: May 10 (US Citizens and Permanent Residents); March 15 (International Candidates)

Degrees

Faculty

Department Head

  • Frank Siewerdt

Director of Graduate Programs

  • Kenneth E. Anderson

Department Research Leader

  • Matthew D. Koci

Department Extension Leader

  • Adam C. Fahrenholz

Director of Undergraduate Programs

  • Lynn Worley-Davis

Full Professors

  • Kenneth E. Anderson
  • Frank W. Edens
  • Peter R. Ferket
  • Jesse Lee Grimes
  • Hosni Moustafa Hassan
  • Aaron S. Keiss
  • Matthew D. Koci
  • Paul Edward Mozdziak
  • Edgar Orlando Oviedo-Rondon

Associate Professors

  • Lisa Bielke
  • Elaine Bohórquez
  • Adam C. Fahrenholz

Assistant Professors

  • Yan Campbell
  • Michael Vadakekara Joseph
  • Ramon D. Malheiros
  • Samuel Mwangi
  • Allison Pullin
  • Lin Walker
  • Lynn Worley-Davis

Research Scholars

  • Ishab Poudel

Adjunct Faculty

  • Tuoying Ao
  • Andrea Villanes Arellano
  • Jose Bruno-Barcena
  • Marissa Cohen
  • Lawrence Epling
  • Yewande Fasina
  • Tom Frost
  • Bartosz Kempisty
  • Zack Lowman
  • Donald R. McIntyre
  • Basheer Nusairat
  • Hilary Pavlidis
  • Rasha Qudsieh
  • Muquarrab Qureshi
  • Hugo Romero-Sanchez
  • Ondulla Tyvette Toomer
  • Nelson E. Ward

Emeritus Faculty

  • Thomas A. Carter
  • Vern L. Christensen
  • Patricia A. Curtis
  • Warren J. Croom Jr.
  • Jimmy Dale Garlich
  • Winston Murry Hagler
  • Gerald B. Havenstein
  • James N. Petitte
  • Brian W. Sheldon
  • Jason C. Shih
  • Thomas David Siopes
  • Charles Michael Williams
  • Michael Wineland

Poultry Science

PO 504/PO 404  Avian Anatomy and Physiology  (4 credit hours)  

Principles of avian physiology integrating physiological functions and anatomical structures of organs and organ systems. Practical problems associated with poultry production. The importance of maximizing growth and productivity via exploitation of environmental influences on physiological systems. Credit not given for PO 404 and 504.

Prerequisite: PO 201

Typically offered in Fall only

PO 506/PO 406  Physiological Aspects of Poultry Management  (3 credit hours)  

Application of physiological principles to modern poultry management and research. Poultry physiology will be related to practical and research management topics including nutrition, housing, ventilation, disease, heat stress, and lighting programs. Students cannot receive credit for both PO 406 and PO 506.

Prerequisite: PO 201, Corequisite: PO 407

Typically offered in Fall only

PO 510  Poultry Product Safety: An On-Farm Model  (3 credit hours)  

Typically offered in Spring only

PO 515/NTR 515/ANS 515/ANS 415/NTR 415/PO 415  Comparative Nutrition  (3 credit hours)  

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.

Prerequisite: ANS 225 or ANS 230 or CH 220 or CH 223 or CH 227

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PO 524/PHY 524  Comparative Endocrinology  (3 credit hours)  

Basic concepts of endocrinology, including functions of major endocrine glands involved in processes of growth, metabolism and reproduction.

Typically offered in Spring only

PO 525/NTR 425/ANS 425/FM 425/PO 425/NTR 525/FM 525/ANS 525  Feed Manufacturing Technology  (3 credit hours)  

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.

Prerequisite: ANS(NTR,PO) 415 or ANS 230 or ANS 225

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PO 533/PO 433  Poultry Processing and Products  (3 credit hours)  

Poultry processing, further processing, and resulting products as affected by basic muscle composition and function during the conversation of muscle to meat. Microbiology of spoilage and pathogenic organisms, and the regulatory and HACCP programs designed to minimize problems. Overall business functions of poultry processing to understand profit/loss factors, and skills necessary for communication and management. Various sections on sanitary design/construction, pest control, wastewater treatment, and further processed egg products. Credit for both PO 533 and PO 433 is not allowed. Transportation to field trips will be provided. Non-scheduled class time for field trips or out-of-class activities may be required for this class. Transportation to scheduled labs at Lake Wheeler CEU/Poultry Processing Lab will be provided by students.

Prerequisite: PO 201

Typically offered in Fall only

PO 580/FM 580  Feed and Ingrdient Quality Assurance  (3 credit hours)  

The course will teach students the principles of feed and ingredient quality assurance and how to develop a comprehensive quality assurance program. The course will include the development of an approved supplier list, ingredient specifications, feed manufacturing quality assurance procedures, and risk based feed safety programs.

Prerequisite: NTR(FM) 525

Typically offered in Fall only

PO 590  Special Problems in Poultry Science  (1-6 credit hours)  

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Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PO 601  Seminar  (1 credit hours)  

Preparation for research, research perspectives, rising concerns in poultry production, orientation for graduate studies in poultry science. Required of all graduate students in the Department of Poultry Science.

Typically offered in Spring only

PO 620  Special Problems  (1-6 credit hours)  

Specific problems of study assigned in various phases of poultry science.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PO 685  Master's Supervised Teaching  (1-3 credit hours)  

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, Spring, and Summer

PO 688  Non-Thesis Masters Continuous Registration - Half Time Registration  (1 credit hours)  

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Spring only

PO 689  Non-Thesis Master Continuous Registration - Full Time Registration  (3 credit hours)  

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Spring only

PO 690  Master's Examination  (1-9 credit hours)  

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

PO 693  Master's Supervised Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PO 695  Master's Thesis Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Thesis Research

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PO 696  Summer Thesis Research  (1 credit hours)  

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

PO 699  Master's Thesis Preparation  (1-9 credit hours)  

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

PO 757/IMM 757  Comparative Immunology  (3 credit hours)  

Compare and contrast the immune system structure and function of animal species of agricultural and veterinary significance with that of humans and traditional biomedical model organisms. Discuss key evolutionary differences, how different species use different mechanisms to achieve the same outcomes, and the clinical implications for these differences.

Prerequisite: MB 751 or MB 441 or BIO 414

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

PO 775/NTR 775  Mineral Metabolism  (3 credit hours)  

Requirements, function, distribution, absorption, excretion and toxicity of minerals in humans and domestic animals. Interactions between minerals and other factors affecting mineral metabolism or availability. Emphasis on mechanisms associated withmineral functions and the metabolic bases for the development of signs of deficiency.

Prerequisite: ANS(NTR,PO) 415, BCH 451 and ZO 421

Typically offered in Fall only

PO 801  Graduate Seminar In Poultry Science  (1 credit hours)  

Preparation for research, research perspectives, rising concerns in poultry production, orientation for graduate studies in poultry science. Required of all graduate students in the Department of Poultry Science.

Typically offered in Spring only

PO 820  Special Problems In Poultry Science  (1-6 credit hours)  

Specific problems of study assigned in various phases of poultry science.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PO 885  Doctoral Supervised Teaching  (1-3 credit hours)  

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planing 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

PO 890  Doctoral Preliminary Examination  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Spring only

PO 893  Doctoral Supervised Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Spring only

PO 895  Doctoral Dissertation Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Dissertation Research

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PO 896  Summer Dissertation Research  (1 credit hours)  

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

PO 899  Doctoral Dissertation Preparation  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements, 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