Agriculture, M.S. - Animal Science Subplan/Option

Offered by: College of Agriculture, Animal and Veterinary Science Department

www.csupomona.edu/~avs

Broc Sandelin, Chair and Graduate Coordinator

The Master of Science degree program in Agriculture with a subplan in Animal Science provides students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and competence in a selected area of specialization and encourages individual study and research. The curriculum is designed to expose students to research techniques and the use of scientific literature, and to prepare them for positions of responsibility in animal production, business, or the related animal industries. The attainment of a master’s degree also permits qualified candidates to pursue further specialized training, gain entrance to professional schools, or to pursue a Ph.D. degree. The degree program also allows an internship through which students may complement theoretical and technical studies and assure industrial orientation. Students in this program may pursue one of several areas of animal science: animal nutrition, animal breeding, meat science, or physiology.

Admission to the Program

An applicant for admission to the Master of Science program in Animal Science must have a baccalaureate degree in animal science or animal health science and an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. All thesis applicants must have a major professor within the department that has agreed to serve as their mentor prior to admission. In addition, the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences must have received three letters of evaluation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic qualifications and potential as a graduate student. Applicants not meeting these standards may be conditionally admitted with the approval of the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. The conditional student must comply with the requirements of the conditional admission within two quarters of that admission to the master’s program. Students must also comply with any University requirements for admission to a graduate program.

The student along with an appointed advisory committee will develop a program by the end of the second quarter in a selected area of animal science based on the student’s interest and preparation. The student’s approved program will include required basic core courses, a selection of additional courses in a specialization, electives, independent study, and a thesis.

Admission to the program does not admit a student to candidacy for a degree. Advancement to Candidacy is required for registration in AVS 696  and the awarding of the M. S. degree. In order to advance to candidacy for the Master of Science in Agriculture with the Animal Science subplan, a student must: (1) pass the Graduation Writing Test or have it waived; (2) achieve a GPA of 3.0 (B) or better for at least 35 contract units.

Requirements

1. The degree program will include a minimum of 45 quarter units of which at least 24 units shall be in graduate-level courses. Deficiencies in undergraduate preparation must be made up in addition to the 45 quarter units required for the degree.
    
2. The student will develop a program based upon the curriculum outline that follows, in consultation with the major professor and the graduate advisory committee.
    
3. No more than 13 units of acceptable graduate credit may be transferred from another graduate institution. No more than 13 units taken through Extended University may be used on a contract. No more than 13 units of acceptable graduate credit may be petitioned by an undergraduate student. A total limit of 13 transfer, Extended University, and/or units petitioned for graduate credit may be included on a master’s contract. The stipulated time limit of 7 years applies to all of the above.
    
4. Achieve Advancement to Candidacy.
    
5. A grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better must be maintained in all upper-division undergraduate and all graduate courses.
    
6. The thesis track candidate must complete a formal thesis. The thesis must be presented and defended no later than the 8th week of the quarter in which the candidate expects to graduate. Two copies must be submitted for binding in accordance with university regulations.
   
   By the end of the second quarter following admission, the student will have assembled a committee and thesis topic with assistance from their major professor.
    
7. The non-thesis track candidate must satisfactorily complete with at least a B grade a written critical review and corresponding seminar on an approved animal science topic.
   
   By the end of the second quarter following admission, the student and graduate coordinator or interested faculty member will develop an emphasis area in animal science based on the students interested and available of faculty in said area.
    
8. A final oral examination covering the thesis project/critical review and the candidate’s area of specialization must be successfully completed.
    
9. The candidate must be enrolled in the university during the quarter of graduation.