ANS_MS - Animal Sciences (M.S.)

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 informal 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)

Available formal concentration areas appearing on the transcript are listed here.  

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 meat 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 Degree Program

Qualified students are encouraged to apply to the combination degree program. Acceptance into the program will allow both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree with a savings of one semester.  Please contact the academic unit for more information regarding this opportunity.