Semester Schedules for Degree Progress

Master of Professional Studies

It is the responsibility of each M.P.S. candidate to accomplish the objectives below (assumes that the student carries 12- 15 credits of course work per semester).

Prior to First Semester

  1. Identify a general area of study interest.
  2. Identify an academic adviser.

First Semester (Fall)

  1. Take formal coursework. Credit load may vary depending on time commitment to teaching or research.
  2. Take ANSC 501 (The Ethics of Scientific Scholarship; 2 cr.) Take AN SC 503 (Professional Skills for Graduate Students; 2 cr.).
  3. Complete CITI online.
  4. Attend Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars and other seminars.
  5. Become familiar with departmental programs.
  6. Develop a plan of study in conjunction with adviser.
  7. Begin to identify M.P.S. paper topic in conjunction with adviser.
  8. Establish and convene the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) by mid-semester and decide on an M.P.S. paper topic; finalize coursework schedule and begin work on the M.P.S. paper.
  9. Determine opportunities for field experiences relative to student's interest in conjunction with adviser and perhaps extension specialist(s).

Second Semester (Spring)

  1. Take formal coursework.
  2. Take AN SC 500 (Current Issues in the Animal Sciences; 2 cr.).
  3. Take ANSC 504 (Communication of Scientific Information; 2 cr.)
  4. Attend Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars and other seminars.
  5. Take 1 credit of AN SC 602 (Supervised Experience in College Teaching).
  6. The M.P.S. paper should be essentially complete and ready for review by the SAC by the end of the second semester.
  7. Continue obtaining field experience in the area of the M.P.S. paper or other area of particular interest.

Third Semester (Summer)

  1. Participate in technical meetings as appropriate.
  2. Graduate.

Master of Science

It is the responsibility of each M.S. candidate to accomplish the objectives outlined below.

Prior to First Semester

  1. Identify a general area of study interest.
  2. Identify an Academic and Thesis Research Adviser, who is usually the same faculty member.

First Semester (Fall)

  1. Take formal coursework. Credit load may vary depending on time commitment to teaching or research.
  2. Take ANSC 501 (The Ethics of Scientific Scholarship; 2 cr.)
  3. Take CITI online.
  4. Take AN SC 503 (Professional Skills for Graduate Students; 2 cr.). Attend Seminars of the Graduate Program in Animal Science and other seminars.
  5. Become familiar with departmental programs.
  6. Establish and convene the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) to plan courses to be taken during the degree program.
  7. Develop a plan of coursework in conjunction with the adviser and SAC.
  8. Identify an area of thesis research interest in conjunction with the adviser.
  9. Determine opportunities for field experience relative to research interests in conjunction with adviser and perhaps extension specialist(s).

Second Semester (Spring)

  1. Take formal coursework.
  2. Attend Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars and other seminars.
  3. Take AN SC 500 (Current Issues in the Animal Sciences; 2 cr.).
  4. Schedule SAC meeting early in semester to discuss and develop specific thesis topic and a plan of action for its completion. Discuss progress made in coursework and any courses the committee feels should be taken by the candidate.
  5. By the end of the second semester, a detailed thesis research proposal should be completed and submitted to the SAC. It should include a concise literature review, statement of hypothesis, objectives, and procedures.
  6. Begin working on thesis research as early as appropriate.

Third Semester (Summer)

  1. Conduct research.
  2. Participate in scientific meetings as appropriate.

Fourth Semester (Fall)

  1. Take formal coursework.
  2. Attend Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars.
  3. Continue thesis research. Determine journals and other media most appropriate for publishing research findings.
  4. Take 1 credit of AN SC 602 (Supervised Experience in College Teaching).

Fifth Semester (Spring)

  1. Continue formal coursework as required to complete plan of study.
  2. Take ANSC 504 (Communication of Scientific Information; 2 cr.).
  3. Attend Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars and other seminars.
  4. Complete thesis research.

Sixth and Final Semester (Summer)

  1. Write thesis and prepare final draft (from thesis) of journal article(s) and other types of publications as appropriate.
  2. Schedule final oral examination with committee.
  3. Present formal seminar on thesis research.
  4. Graduate.

Additional Information

During the summer, students are expected to pursue thesis research and participate in regional or national scientific and technical meetings as appropriate. From the inception of their program, graduate students are expected to attend departmental seminars as well as the Graduate Program in Animal Science seminar.

Doctor of Philosophy

It is the responsibility of each candidate for the Ph.D. degree to accomplish the objectives outlined below.

Prior to First Semester

  1. Identify academic/research adviser.

First Semester (Fall)

  1. Take formal coursework. Credit load may vary depending on the time commitment to teaching or research.
  2. Attend Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars and other seminars.
  3. Take AN SC 501 (The Ethics of Scientific Scholarship; 2 cr.).
  4. Take CITI online.
  5. Take AN SC 503 (Professional Skills for Graduate Students; 2 cr.).
  6. Establish and convene the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) and develop a plan of study for the degree program.
  7. Identify potential areas for dissertation research.
  8. Determine opportunities for field experience relative to research interests in conjunction with adviser and perhaps extension specialist(s).

Second Semester (Spring)

  1. Take formal coursework.
  2. Attend Graduate Program in Animal Science and other seminars.
  3. Take AN SC 500 (Current Issues in the Animal Sciences; 2 cr.).
  4. Take ANSC 504 (Communication of Scientific Information; 2 cr.).
  5. Schedule and complete Qualifying Examination. (Candidates for the Ph.D. without the S. degree should schedule the Qualifying Examination after 18 credits of courses have been completed.)
  6. Identify areas of research that will be addressed in the dissertation research proposal.

Third Semester (Summer)

  1. Conduct research.
  2. Establish a Doctoral Advisory Committee no later than 1 year after passing Qualifying Examination and discuss coursework taken, as well as proposed courses to be taken, with the committee.

Fourth Semester (Fall)

  1. Take formal coursework and research credits.
  2. Attend the Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars and other seminars.
  3. Take ANSC 502 (Grantsmanship; 2 cr.).
  4. Take 1 credit of AN SC 602 (Supervised Experience in College Teaching).
  5. Write a detailed proposal for research to be undertaken. Submit proposal to the Doctoral Committee. In conjunction with input from committee, finalize objectives of research, methods of procedure, and begin thesis research as early as possible.
  6. Prepare for the Comprehensive Examination.

Fifth Semester (Spring)

  1. Finalize formal coursework as required to complete plan of study.
  2. Attend Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars and other seminars.
  3. Continue dissertation research.
  4. Schedule and successfully complete The Comprehensive Examination.
  5. Inform Doctoral Committee of research progress, including any problems encountered.

Sixth Semester (Summer)

  1. Conduct dissertation research.

Seventh and Subsequent Semesters

  1. Conduct and complete dissertation research.
  2. Attend Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars and other seminars.
  3. Write dissertation and prepare manuscript(s) for submission to scientific journal(s).
  4. Schedule and successfully complete the final oral examination.

Additional Information

During the summer, students are expected to pursue thesis research and participate in regional or national scientific and technical meetings as appropriate. From the inception of their program, graduate students are expected to attend departmental seminars as well as Graduate Program in Animal Science seminars.