Program of Study
The Department of Animal Science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences offers a Graduate Program in Animal Science leading to the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The plan of study followed by a degree candidate is determined by the candidate's background and interests. The academic program is developed jointly by the student and the adviser, with the approval of the student's graduate committee. The Animal Science Graduate Faculty members strive to provide students with an academic environment that will foster scholarly and creative activities. Successful completion of a graduate program in Animal Science requires the demonstration of independent thinking and creativity. Students have the opportunity to develop and display their individual abilities through participation in courses, seminars, and research activities.
The M.P.S. is a non-research-oriented degree designed to prepare individuals for specialist and management positions in county agricultural extension, government, or industry, and requires a final paper. The M.P.S. is generally considered to be a terminal degree.
The M.S. is a research-oriented degree, requiring the successful completion of a research project and a thesis. The completion of 30 credits, including at least 18 at the graduate level (500, 600), is required.
The Ph.D. degree is awarded for creative scholarship and research. A student is admitted to Ph.D. candidacy upon passing the Qualifying Examination. Doctoral candidates must satisfy the two-semester residence requirement, write an acceptable dissertation, and pass both comprehensive and final oral examinations.
Research Facilities
The department maintains numerous facilities for research involving both small and large animals. Laboratories are equipped with the latest instrumentation. Herds of dairy and beef cattle, swine, deer, and horses, as well as flocks of poultry, including chickens, turkeys, and quail, are maintained for instruction and research. Students may specialize in animal management, breeding, genetics and genomics, growth and developmental biology, meat science, nutrition, and nutritional, reproductive, or lactational physiology.
Financial Aid
Financial assistance is awarded on a competitive basis. Fellowships varying from a complete stipend and tuition grant-in-aid to partial stipends or a grant-in-aid alone are available from the College of Agricultural Sciences and on a University-wide basis. Teaching and research assistantships are funded through either University funds or grants awarded to individual faculty members. Graduate assistants receive stipends and tuition grant-in-aid in exchange for performing assigned duties determined by the needs of the program and the faculty adviser. Responsibilities of graduate assistants are described below.
Cost of Study
Housing
Housing for students is available in apartment complexes located throughout the State College area. Family housing information can be found online.
The Area
Penn State is located in the State College area (population approximately 42,000, not including students) in central Pennsylvania. Primarily a university town, State College offers many cultural, educational, recreational, and sports events. The area is rich in facilities for skiing, picnicking, hiking, biking, and swimming. State forests and game lands provide excellent venues for hunting and fishing.
The University
The Pennsylvania State University is the land-grant University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It was chartered in 1855 as the Farmers' High School. During the next century, the school evolved from the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania (1862) to the Pennsylvania State College (1874) and finally, in 1953, to The Pennsylvania State University. The original student body of 69 has grown to over 90,000 across the 24 campuses, and the full-time faculty has grown from four to over 7,000. Eleven undergraduate colleges offer 160 baccalaureate and more than 90 associate degree programs. The Graduate School, established in 1922, administers over 190 major programs. Approximately 4,100 advanced degrees are conferred annually, of which about 700 are doctorates.
Applications
Applications are accepted at any time; however, for full consideration of fellowships and assistantships, submitting your application by December 15 is highly recommended. As a minimum, potential applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in Animal Science, Dairy Science, Poultry Science, or another biological science from an accredited institution upon admission to our graduate program with a junior-senior grade-point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 basis). The student's program must have included courses in biological science, chemistry, and mathematics. In addition, students trained in Computer Programming, Data Science, or Machine Learning with an interest in precision agriculture can also apply. Exceptions to the minimum grade-point average may be made for students with special backgrounds, abilities, or interests.
Contact for Correspondence and Information Regarding Applications or Admission
Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Animal Science
302 AVBS Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-5202
Fax: 814-863-6042
Email: rur11@psu.edu
Kacee Burke
Academic Program Coordinator
Department of Animal Science
109A AVBS Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-7638
Fax: 814-863-6042
Email: kjw217@psu.edu
