Program Information

The Department of Animal Sciences offers the degrees of Master of Science (thesis and non-thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Sciences with emphasis in beef or dairy cattle, swine, or equine. Minimum requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

The following specializations are available:

• Breeding, genetics and genomics
• Behavior
• Management
• Immunology
• Nutrition (nutritional physiology, nutrient metabolism, and feedstuff utilization)
• Physiology (environmental, lactational, muscle and reproductive)
• Molecular biology (embryology, endocrinology, and genetics)
• Meat science (meat processing, meat quality, muscle biology, and food safety)

A student may work on a problem covering more than one area of study. Animal resources (beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, swine, sheep, and laboratory animals) are available for use in various research programs. Nutrition, physiology, immunology and meats laboratories are available for detailed chemical and carcass quality evaluations, and excellent computer facilities are available. Special arrangements may be made to conduct research at the various branch agricultural experiment stations throughout Florida.

Departmental and program prerequisites for admission to graduate study include a sound science background, with basic courses in microbiology, biology, mathematics, and chemistry. All courses in the animal sciences program area are acceptable for graduate credit as part of the candidate’s major.

The Graduate School restricts graduate students from pursuing minors in academic units that contribute major credit toward their degree program. Therefore, graduate students majoring in Animal Sciences cannot pursue a minor in Food and Resource Economics, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Medicine-Biochemistry, and Veterinary Medical Sciences. In addition, undergraduate credits at the 3000–4000 level in the major of any of these listed academic units are not eligible to count toward degree requirements.

Combination programs: Qualified students are encouraged to apply to the combination degree program. Acceptance into the program will allow both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree with a savings of 1 semester.
 

Degrees Offered with a Major in Animal Sciences

• Doctor of Philosophy
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology 
    • optional second concentration in Domestic Animal Genomics
  • concentration in Domestic Animal Genomics
  • concentration in Reproductive Biotechnology 
• Master of Science
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Domestic Animal Genomics
  • concentration in Reproductive Biotechnology 

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Animal Sciences Departmental Courses

Additional Courses for Major Credit in Animal Sciences

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Courses

Animal Sciences (PHD)

SLO 1     Principles of Animal Sciences     
Identify, interpret, and discuss the principles of the animal sciences with a deeper mastery of a chosen specialization.

SLO 2     Employ Scientific Methods         
Employ scientific methods to critically appraise and devise solutions to problems in the animal sciences

SLO 3     Solve Problems and Generate New Information
Propose and deploy scientific methods to solve problems and generate new information.

SLO 4     Prepare Grants for Funding         
Prepare grants for extramural funding during their PhD program.

SLO 5     Professional Behavior   
Display ethical conduct and interact with others with honesty, cultural sensitivity, and respect.

SLO 6     Effective Communication            
Communicate effectively in professional situations.

Animal sciences (MS)

SLO 1     Principles of Animal Sciences     
Identify, interpret, and discuss the principles of the animal sciences with a deeper mastery of a chosen specialization.

SLO 2     Apply Scientific Methods             
Apply scientific methods to problems in the animal sciences and develop new solutions to such problems.

SLO 3     Problem Solving Skills    
Propose and deploy scientific methods to solve problems and generate new information.

SLO 4     Professional Behavior   
Display ethical conduct and interact with others with honesty, cultural sensitivity, and respect.

SLO 5     Communicate Effectively             
Communicate effectively in professional situations.