Animal Science
Departmental Websites: Animal Science
07-08
Department Head: Professor Daniel Fletcher
Professors: Darre, Faustman, Hart, Hoagland, Silbart, Yang, and Zinn
Associate Professors: Andrew, Dinger, Kazmer, Milvae, Tian, and Venkitanarayanan
Assistant Professors: Mancini, Nadeau, and Rasmussen
The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered in Animal Science with supportive instruction in biochemistry, environmental health, food science, physiology, biology, nutrition, statistics and related fields. All prospective students should have a strong academic background in the biological sciences. In addition to the credit requirements indicated below, M.S. and Ph.D. students must complete one credit of ANSC 390 (Graduate Presentation Skills). In addition, M.S. students must complete one credit of ANSC 397 (Animal Science Seminar), while Ph.D. students must complete two credits of ANSC 397. M.S. (Plan B) students are exempt from the ANSC 397 requirement. All graduate students receiving assistantship support are required to assist with the teaching of 1 course per year of enrollment.
The M.S. degree offers students the opportunity to emphasize study in animal behavior, food science, nutrition, growth, physiology of lactation, physiology of reproduction, environmental health, immunobiology, or production management within Animal Science. Master of Science students are required to conduct thesis research (Plan A) or attain a comprehensive understanding in one of the above outlined areas (Plan B). Plan A programs of study must include a minimum of 15 credits of formal course work exclusive of research. Plan B programs of study must include a minimum of 24 credits of formal course work of which at least two, but not more than four credits, shall be a special research project. Additional specialization may be attained by focusing on dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, horses, companion or aquatic animals or their products.
Admission. In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate School, all applicants are required to submit scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations, three letters of recommendation, and a Personal Statement. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to read the Department of Animal Science Web pages before applying.
The Ph.D. Program. The Doctor of Philosophy degree is offered in Animal Science with an area of concentration in Physiology of Reproduction. Dissertation research may also emphasize environmental health, immunobiology, animal behavior, animal breeding, food science, nutrition, growth, and physiology of lactation. The Ph.D. degree requires demonstrated capabilities for conducting independent research plus related scholarly attributes. Each Ph.D. plan of study must include 44 to 48 credits of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree, not including credits for foreign language or those substituted for foreign language requirements prescribed by the Graduate School.
Special Facilities. Modern and extensive laboratory capabilities exist for the support of graduate student research in animal science, reproductive physiology, animal food products, environmental health, and immunobiology. Special laboratory facilities include eight modern endocrinology, physiology, and molecular genetic laboratories; a modern abattoir; and numerous modern field laboratories.
COURSES OF STUDY
Courses designated by the dagger symbol (†) are approved
for Satisfactory (S) / Unsatisfactory (U) grading.
ANSC 300. Special Topics
1-6 credits. Lecture. May be repeated for credit with a change of topic.
ANSC 303. Food Chemistry
3 credits. Lecture.
Chemical, physical and biological changes in foods and food macromolecules that occur during processing and storage that affect texture, color, flavor, stability and nutritive qualities. Field trips may be required.
ANSC 306. Vaccines: Mechanisms of Immune Protection
3 credits. Lecture. Also offered as PVS 306.
The focus is on several different approaches to inducing prophylactic immunity in the host. Both traditional and modern molecular approaches to vaccine design will be discussed. In addition, the mechanisms employed by pathogenic microbes to avoid hosts’ immune responses will be examined in the context of vaccine design. The students will gain an appreciation for the transition from basic research to practical applications.
ANSC 322. Physiology of Lactation
3 credits. Laboratory/Lecture.
Examines anatomical, endocrine and metabolic aspects of lactation, emphasizing lactation in dairy cattle. Mastitis prevention and therapy are discussed.
ANSC 329. Frontiers in Animal Embryo Biotechnology
3 credits. Lecture.
Focuses on the genetic aspects of embryology such as imprinting and X inactivation. Introduces the state of technology of numerous established and emerging embryo biotechnologies such as assisted reproductive technologies, transgenesis, cloning and gene targeting. Lab demonstrations of basic embryology techniques will be included.
ANSC 333. Advancements in Ruminant Nutrition
2 credits. Lecture.
Critical review of current literature on digestive physiology, metabolism, feed processing and management related to ruminant animals.
ANSC 344. Growth and Metabolism of Domestic Animals
3 credits. Lecture/Discussion.
An assessment of animal growth and metabolism interrelated to nutrition, selection, environment, production and idiosyncrasies among species.
ANSC 350. Fundamentals of Proteomics
1 credit. Lecture.
Principles and practices of various methodologies of protein separation science will be covered. The course intends to serve as an introduction to methodologies such as 1-D and 2-D electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, peptide mass fingerprint, tandam MS, protein identification by MS/MS, post-translational modification characterization etc. A lab exercise on database search on the internet is included.
ANSC 360. Research
1- 6 credits. Independent stuidy.
Independent research in animal science, livestock production, meats, dairy production, animal nutrition, growth, reproductive physiology, animal breeding, or environmental health.
ANSC 370. Current Advances in Epigenetics
1 credit. Seminar. This course can be repeated to a maximum of three credits. Also offered as MCB 370.
Epigenetics is a field of modern biological research that is concerned with influences on gene expression, developmental biology, and disease that are mediated by mechanisms independent of DNA sequence. This course is a literature review course in which each student will present and critically analyze primary literature in epigenetics. All students will present and participate in detailed technical evaluations of selected papers, and develop a written proposal for future research based on the paper(s) that they present individually. Topics will include imprinting, X chromosome inactivation, chromatin dynamics, and cloning (nuclear transfer).
ANSC 390. Graduate Presentation Skills
1 credit. Lecture.
A discussion-based class which prepares students to make oral presentations.
ANSC 395. Independent Study
1-3 credits. Independent study.
ANSC 397. Animal Science Seminar
1 credit. Seminar.
Students present a seminar on the topic of their thesis research.
†GRAD 395. Master’s Thesis Research
1 - 9 credits.
†GRAD 396. Full-Time Master’s Research
3 credits.
†GRAD 397. Full-Time Directed Studies (Master’s Level)
3 credits.
GRAD 398. Special Readings (Master’s)
Non-credit.
GRAD 399. Thesis Preparation
Non-credit.
ANSC 477. Current Topics in Ovarian and Uterine Physiology
3 credits. Lecture.
An in-depth analysis of current topics in ovarian and uterine physiology, pregnancy and parturition.
†GRAD 495. Doctoral Dissertation Research
1 - 9 credits.
†GRAD 496. Full-Time Doctoral Research
3 credits.
†GRAD 497. Full-Time Directed Studies (Doctoral Level)
3 credits.
GRAD 498. Special Readings (Doctoral)
Non-credit.
GRAD 499. Dissertation Preparation
Non-credit.