Graduate Degree Programs
Masters of Science
MS Program
Overview
The Master of Science (MS) degree is offered in Animal Science, with supportive instruction in biochemistry, genetics, environmental health, physiology, food science, microbiology, nutrition, statistics, and other related fields. All prospective students should have a strong academic background in the biological sciences. In addition to the credit requirements described below, all MS students are required to complete ANSC 5694 (Animal Science Seminar), and/or ANSC 5693 (Graduate Presentation Skills).All graduate students receiving assistantship support are also required to assist in teaching one course per year of enrollment. The MS degree in Animal Science offers students the opportunity to emphasize study in animal behavior, genetics, regenerative biology, food science, microbiology, nutrition, growth, physiology of lactation, physiology of reproduction, or production management.
There are two Master of Science programs offered by the department, Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (non-thesis). Due to the strong research emphasis of the department, students are encouraged to enroll in the Plan A program, which requires the completion of a laboratory-based research project, submission of a thesis, and satisfactory completion of a cohesive curriculum of courses. The Plan B Master’s Degree Program requires the student to attain a comprehensive understanding in one of the subject areas outlined below, primarily by enrolling in courses. This Master’s degree program is frequently referred to as a “coursework” masters, but actually entails additional elements, described below. All work for the master’s degree must be completed within six years from the beginning of the student’s matriculation in the degree program
Plan B (non-thesis option) MS students must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credits of advanced coursework, of which a minimum of four (4) credits must include Research (ANSC 5692) or Independent Study (ANSC 5699).
Plan B MS students are exempt from the ANSC 5694 requirement, but must complete ANSC 5693 once. Although Plan B students may or may not be involved in laboratory research projects, they are expected to assemble a Graduate Advisory Committee to oversee their selection of coursework and to administer a final examination to assess the student’s overall level of comprehensive knowledge of their discipline. In general, the Plan B Master’s student should assemble their Graduate Advisory Committee during their first semester to help map out a cohesive plan of study but before they complete 12 credits of degree program coursework. The committee must be headed by a major advisor who is a member of both the Department of Animal Science (including jointly appointed faculty) and a member of the Graduate Faculty. The committee must also include at least two associate advisors. In addition to the three or more members, another member, ordinarily a member of the Graduate Faculty outside the student’s field of study but in a related field may be appointed by the Dean. A current graduate student may not serve as a member of another graduate student’s advisory committee. If deemed appropriate by a graduate student’s major advisor, the major advisor may request that a suitably qualified external associate advisor be appointed to the student’s advisory committee by writing to The Graduate School. The request should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae for the individual being recommended for appointment. Such appointments are made on the basis of advanced training and significant experience in the field of study. Ordinarily, not more than one external associate advisor is appointed to any master’s advisory committee. Once the major advisor and Committee agree on the coursework requirements, a Plan of Study form must be submitted to the Graduate School for final approval.
The research component of the Plan B program can involve library research, assistance on laboratory-based projects, computer or data analysis, or any form of scholarly activity approved by the major advisor and the committee. This component of the program is generally taken for credit and graded by the instructor-of-record. After completion of all required courses and the research component, the student is required to give a formal presentation of their work. The presentation is open to all faculty members in the department and can be scheduled as part of the departmental seminar series. Following the presentation, the Graduate Advisory Committee will administer a final examination. The format of this examination is at the discretion of the major advisor and the Graduate Advisory Committee, and its purpose is to assess the student’s understanding of the area that they have emphasized. The final examination must be completed no later than one (1) year after completion of coursework.
Plan A (thesis option) MS students must complete a minimum of 30 credits, of which a minimum of 21 credits must include advanced coursework, with no more than 3 of these credits coming from independent studies or ANSC 5692, and a minimum of 9 credits must include Thesis Research (GRAD 5950) or Full-Time Master’s Research (GRAD 5960)
Graduate Advisory Committee
The Graduate Advisory Committee is charged with guiding the student through all matters pertaining to graduate study, and the student's progress through the program. All Plan A MS students in the Department of Animal Science must assemble their Graduate Advisory Committee, in consultation with their major advisor, before they complete 12 credits of degree program coursework. The committee must be headed by a major advisor who is a member of both the Department of Animal Science (including jointly appointed faculty) and a member of the Graduate Faculty. The committee must also include at least two associate advisors. In addition to the three or more members, another member, ordinarily a member of the Graduate Faculty outside the student’s field of study but in a related field may be appointed by the Dean. A current graduate student may not serve as a member of another graduate student’s advisory committee. If deemed appropriate by a graduate student’s major advisor, the major advisor may request that a suitably qualified external associate advisor be appointed to the student’s advisory committee by writing to The Graduate School. The request should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae for the individual being recommended for appointment. Such appointments are made on the basis of advanced training and significant experience in the field of study. Ordinarily, not more than one external associate advisor is appointed to any master’s advisory committee. Students are encouraged to schedule periodic committee meetings to discuss their research and academic progress.
Plan of Study
An approved Plan of Study form must be submitted to the Graduate School no later than the beginning of their final semester. The Animal Science department is diverse, with a large variety of student and faculty interests. As a result, each student's program is quite flexible, and is shaped by the student in consultation with their major advisor and Graduate Advisory Committee. Courses elected shall be consistent with the student’s objectives and related to the field in which the degree is to be taken. The plan of study shall consist largely of courses at the 5000 level or above. Not more than 6-credits at the 3000 or 4000 level may be accepted. Course credit by examination is not allowed as a means of accumulating credits to meet the requirements for advanced degrees at this institution. Approved plans of study for master’s degree programs must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than the beginning of the student’s final semester.
Typical Curriculum Examples:
- Animal Genetics and Regenerative Biology
- Food Microbiology and Safety
- Physiology (Growth, Lactation, Environmental)
Completion of a strong undergraduate degree program, with fundamental training in biology, chemistry, mathematics and statistics, is required for admission to the Animal Science graduate program. Graduate programs in Animal Science often include supporting work in areas such as Pathobiology, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Nutrition, among others.
The entire application package is evaluated as a whole, and in some cases a weakness in one area may be overcome by strength in another.
- Graduate Catalog- ANSC Courses - For further information regarding the Department of Animal Science Graduate Program, applicants can email Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou, Graduate Program Chairman, or call 860-486-6620.
- College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Research and Graduate Program
Coursework Requirements
Students must successfully complete the Animal Science Seminar (ANSC 5694) once, and Graduate Presentation Skills (ANSC 5693) once. The thesis defense may not be scheduled to coincide with the required ANSC 5694 presentation.
Final Exam - Thesis Defense
Students must defend their thesis at a public seminar. The defense must be completed no later than one (1) year after completion of coursework or the thesis. Advertising shall include posting flyers in conspicuous areas of relevant buildings, and by contacting the ANSC main office for email distribution. The student must distribute a final "draft" of the thesis to the committee members at least two (2) weeks in advance of the defense date. The public presentation must be attended by at least five (5) Animal Science faculty members (including those on the Graduate Advisory Committee). After the public presentation, attendees will remain for in-depth discussion, followed by the committee alone. Following the presentation, the Graduate Advisory Committee will administer a final examination. The format of this examination is at the discretion of the major advisor and the Graduate Advisory Committee, and its purpose is to assess the student’s understanding of the area that they have emphasized, their research, and their thesis. After discussion, the committee will determine the outcome of the exam. The student is required to make all suggested revisions to the thesis, in consultation with their major advisor, prior to final acceptance. The Approval Page and the Report on the Final Examination bearing original signatures of all members of the advisory committee must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
Publication
Students must submit at least one (1) first-author manuscript, suitable for publication, to their major advisor before defending their thesis. In some circumstances, the major advisor, in consultation with the Graduate Advisory Committee, may modify or waive this requirement.
Assistantships
Partial or full assistantship support may be offered to students based upon the availability of funding. Funding typically comes from independent research grants, Hatch projects (Capacity grants), or departmentally funded projects through an annual competition. As part of their professional training, all students are required to assist with teaching and/or provide laboratory assistance as required by the Department for at least one course per year. Course assignments are arranged by the Graduate Studies Committee before the beginning of the academic year and are communicated by email. Students may not assist with the same course more than twice. Students should be given instructions regarding their duties and responsibilities before the first day of class by the instructors. All MS Plan A students are required to submit a Graduate Student Annual Report at the end of each academic year unless they are not enrolled in coursework the following semester. If a student's performance is judged to be unsatisfactory by the course instructor and/or the major advisor, renewal of assistantship support may be impacted (at the discretion of the Graduate Studies Committee, in consultation with the Department Head). Students in the Plan A Master’s program may be limited to Departmental assistantship support to 2 years. [This requirement was adopted by faculty vote on 10/15/97 and 9/22/00].
To be appointed, to retain an appointment, or to be reappointed, a student must hold Regular (not Provisional) status, must maintain a cumulative average of at least B (3.00) in any coursework taken, must be eligible to register (i.e., must not have more than three viable grades of Incomplete on his or her academic record), must be enrolled in a graduate degree program scheduled to extend through the entire period of the appointment or reappointment, and must be a full-time student.
All students for whom English is not a native language must attain certification of oral proficiency in English before he or she is eligible to be considered for departmental assistantships (teaching assistantships). Certification of English proficiency may be obtained by meeting the requirements outlined on the International Teaching Assistant Services website.
Exceptions
Requests for exceptions to the above rules must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee in writing by the faculty advisor. Requests for exceptions cannot override University of Connecticut graduate education regulations. In general, exceptions to departmental regulations are considered only in cases of extenuating circumstances.
Application Process
If you are considering applying to the Animal Science MS or PhD programs, please visit the links below for detailed instructions. Our graduate programs depend heavily on the appropriate linkage of student and faculty interests. This also applies to the availability of assistantship support (in essence, stipend and tuition remission). There is no separate application for assistantships. The department strongly encourages that applicants visit ANSC faculty bio and research pages and identify a faculty advisor(s) based on the advisor’s research area. Please contact your preferred advisor(s) to discuss the possibility of research prior to applying to be sure they are currently accepting graduate students and if assistantship support is potentially available. Applications that fail to indicate a preferred advisor will not be reviewed. Information regarding English Proficiency and other University requirements and application policies can be found at the Graduate School website by following the link below. Applicants are not required to take or submit test scores for the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).
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- Applying to the ANSC Grad Program Workflow
- List of Requirements- Graduate School & Department of Animal Science
- Graduate Catalog
- Forms - Prospective & Current Graduate Students
- ANSC Faculty Bio and Research Interests
- Financial Aid
- International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
- International Applicant FAQs
- ANSC Facilities
Application Review Process
Applications for graduate studies are submitted online through the University of Connecticut Graduate School. Students normally matriculate beginning with the Fall semester, but occasionally, students begin at the start of the Spring semester. The Department of Animal Science reviews complete applications on a rolling basis.
Application Submission Deadlines
The Application Submission Deadline is the last day you are able to submit your application for consideration for the program and term for which you are applying. You will not be able to submit an application after these dates for the term to which you are applying. All applications should contain ALL required information (including completed recommendations) by the submission deadline date. Deadlines for fall and spring semesters pertain to both international and domestic students. It is recommended that applications be submitted prior to the submission deadline date to allow time for your recommendations to be submitted and the Department of Animal Science Graduate Committee to process their recommendation. If you miss the application submission deadline for the term to which you're applying, you may change the term for which you are applying or contact the department at animalscience@uconn.edu to close out your application. Applicants can contact the Animal Science Graduate Studies Committee Chair, Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou with any questions.
Applicants Requiring a Student Visa
Applicants who require an F1 visa are encouraged to apply by the preferred deadline indicated below. The primary reason for submitting an early application is that we anticipate the policies and procedures surrounding issuance of student visas will continue to be strict and time-consuming. Please familiarize yourself with parameters regarding deadline dates and terms applicable to students requiring F1.
Preferred application submission date is January 1.
Application submission deadline is June 1 (absolute deadline for term; applications for this term will not be accepted after this date).
Preferred application submission date is October 1.
Application submission deadline is November 1 (absolute deadline for term; applications for this term will not be accepted after this date).
Enrollment Deadline
When you are offered admission to the program, you are given an Enrollment Deadline that is stated in your admission letter. This is the last day you will be able to accept enrollment for entry to the program to which you are applying for that term. If you wish to defer your admission to a subsequent semester, email the department at animalscience@uconn.edu.