Ph.D. in Animal Science
The Department of Animal Science welcomes motivated Ph.D. students from around the world to explore their interests and develop skills to propel them into fulfilling careers, from academia to research and industry.
Program Overview
At UConn, the Department of Animal Science offers graduate education that reflects the depth and diversity of our faculty’s research expertise. Students pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees can specialize in areas such as:
- Animal Genetics and Genomics
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
- Animal Physiology
- Animal Nutrition
- Meat Science
- Food Microbiology and Safety
Graduate students work closely with a faculty advisor to design a personalized plan of study that integrates advanced coursework, research, and professional development. Each program is tailored to align with the student’s interests and career goals while fulfilling the degree requirements outlined below.
Degree Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) is offered in Animal Science. Several areas of concentration are offered within the Animal Science Field of Study including: Animal Genetics and Regenerative Biology, Growth and Reproductive Physiology, Animal Nutrition, and Food Microbiology and Safety. The Ph.D. degree requires demonstrated capabilities for conducting independent research plus related scholarly attributes. All graduate students receiving assistantship support are required to assist with the teaching of one (1) course per year of enrollment as part of their professional development.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Coursework | Minimum 30 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, or a minimum of 15 credits beyond a master’s degree in the same or a closely related field |
| Required Courses | ANSC 5001 (Fall), ANSC 5002 (Spring), ANSC 5601 (Fall), SPSS 5150 (Spring), ANSC 5694 (2 credits; Fall/Spring) |
| Dissertation Research Credits | Minimum 15 credits of GRAD 6950 or GRAD 6960 |
| Advisory Committee | Major advisor and at least two associate advisors |
| General Examination | Successful completion of the General Examination |
| Dissertation Proposal | Written dissertation proposal and successful proposal defense |
| Dissertation | Complete and submit a doctoral dissertation |
| Final Examination | Public dissertation defense |
Notes
- ANSC 5001 and ANSC 5002 may be taken out of sequence.
- ANSC 5002 is a prerequisite for ANSC 5694. Concurrent enrollment is not recommended.
- Students transferring from the MS program to the PhD program are not required to retake the required courses.
- Course substitutions for ANSC 5601 and SPSS 5150 require prior approval from the Department Head and the Graduate Committee.
- For Graduate School policies and deadlines (e.g., Plan of Study, committee formation, General Examination, dissertation proposal, graduation requirements, and academic regulations), refer to the UConn Graduate School Academic Regulations: https://catalog.uconn.edu/graduate/academic-regulations/
Admissions
Fall Term Applications are due June 1
Spring Term Applications are due November 1
Applicants should refer to the Graduate School for application instructions.
More Information
Questions?
For more information about the MS or Ph.D. programs in Animal Science, please contact: Mary Anne Amalaradjou