Requirements

Course, credit, residence, time, and minimum grade-point average requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Animal Science.

Course Requirements

Core Course Requirements: While in residency, two credits each of the following: ANSC 500 (Current Issues in the Animal Sciences); ANSC 501 (The Ethics of Scientific Scholarship); ANSC 502 (Grantsmanship); ANSC 503 (Professional Skills for Graduate Students) and ANSC 504 (Communication of Scientific Information). All graduate degree candidates shall assist in teaching at least one course. This teaching requirement will be met by completing one credit of AN SC 602 (Supervised Experience in College Teaching). Prior to assisting with a course for credit

Minimum Number of Credits: 30 beyond a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school.

A candidate whose native language is not English must satisfy the Graduate School requirement regarding competence in English. At the discretion of the candidate's committee, such a student may be deemed to have satisfied the foreign language requirement on the basis of his/her native language and English proficiency. However, depending upon the professional requirements of the field, the committee may elect to require proficiency in an additional language or communications.

Time Limitation

All requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy degree, whether satisfied on the University Park Campus or elsewhere, must be met within five years or a period of spanning six consecutive summers.

A student devoting half-time to study for the degree normally will require 10 semesters beyond the Master's degree, or 15 semesters if entering the program without an M.S. degree. However, much will depend upon the nature of the thesis research problem.

Residence

Within some 12-month period between admission to candidacy and a Ph.D completion, the candidate must spend at least two semesters in residence at the University Park Campus.

Minimum Grade-Point Average

A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (4.0 basis) for graduate work done at the University is required for graduation.

Teaching Requirement

All graduate degree candidates shall assist in teaching at least one course. This requirement may be met by:

  • serving as laboratory/discussion instructor in one section,
  • developing and delivering course lectures, or
  • preparing and delivering both laboratory and lecture material.