Animal and Dairy Sciences
Department Head: Dr. Christy Bratcher
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Kelsey Harvey
4025 Wise Center
Box 9815
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Telephone: 662-325-0040
E-mail: kelsey.harvey@msstate.edu
The Animal and Dairy Sciences program offers graduate study toward the Master of Science (thesis) in Agriculture with a concentration in Animal Science; the Master of Agriculture with a concentration in Animal and Dairy Sciences (non-thesis); and Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Animal Science, Master of Agriculture (non-thesis option), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Animal and Dairy Sciences.
Admission Criteria
A minimum of 3.00 GPA is required for all programs (Master of Science, Master of Agriculture, and Doctor of Philosophy). Individual faculty serving as major professors may have additional requirements for students they advise. Therefore, it is advisable that a prospective student contact faculty with whom he/she is interested in working to determine if they have additional admission requirements. An international applicant is required to have a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 575 PBT (84 iBT) or an IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) score of 7.0 or higher to be considered for admission.
Provisional Admission
An applicant who has not fully met the GPA requirement stipulated by the University may be admitted on a provisional basis. See Provisional Admission Requirements in this Catalog.
Academic Performance
The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences adheres to the academic performance standards of the Graduate School and CALS. Students are referred to these criteria for provisional admission, contingent admission, academic performance, and dismissal policies.
To graduate, the student must complete all University and degree program requirements listed in the Graduate Catalog under which they began the program. A graduate student cannot graduate under any of the following circumstances.
- A GPA lower than 3.00 for all courses attempted for graduate credit after admission to the degree program or
- A grade of D or lower on the program of study or
- More than two courses (not exceeding 9 credit hours) with a grade of C or lower earned for all courses since admission into the program, including those outside the program of study* or
- A U grade in thesis or dissertation research credit in the final semester or
- A grade of I (Incomplete) on his/her transcript.
*NOTE: The original grade for a course that is retaken will not be included in the 8 hours. However, the original grade is included as part of the calculation of the GPA. See the Course Retake Policy section for additional details.
No graduate courses with pass/fail credit are accepted as part of a graduate program. Grades of pass/fail are not awarded at MSU and cannot be transferred to MSU.
A GPA of 3.00 on the minor coursework is required for students completing a minor.
Stipends
Students who have not met the requirements for full admission to their degree program are not eligible to receive an assistantship. Students with a GPA less than 3.00 or who have been admitted on a provisional/probationary status are not eligible to receive an assistantship. Graduate assistantships provide students a salary for 20 hours of work per week which is NOT part of their own research. These 20 hours per week may be spent on research, teaching, and/or service. The student is also expected to complete work toward their his or her own research IN ADDITION TO their assistantship duties.
Master of Science in Agriculture with Animal Sciences Concentration - Thesis
The program of study is developed by the student and his/her major professor with approval by the student’s graduate committee in accordance with Graduate School policy and must include core courses as specified below. In addition to the Graduate School requirements for a master’s graduate committee, the department requires that at least two committee members must be from the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. The student must submit an approved program of study and committee request form no later than the end of their second enrolled semester.
For the master's degree in Agriculture with a concentration in Animal Science, the student must have completed or will be required to complete in addition to the graduate coursework, 9 credit hours of animal/dairy sciences courses. All students are required to enroll in Graduate Seminar during their first semester of enrollment. All students are expected to demonstrate a working knowledge of the Animal and Dairy Sciences field. Opportunities to meet this expectation include: audit additional animal sciences courses (below 4000 level), serve as a teaching assistant for Introduction to Animal Science, or attend departmental journal clubs. Students not holding a degree in Animal or Dairy Sciences (or related field) will be required to do at least one of the above, as directed by the major advisor.
| Graduate Seminar | 2 | |
(ADS 8111, ADS 8121, or ADS 8131 are suggested courses.) | ||
| Statistics | 8 | |
| Biochemistry | 3 | |
| Graduate level coursework 1 | 11 | |
| ADS 9000 | Research in Animal and Dairy Science | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
At least 12 hours of coursework must be taken at the 8000 level.
M.S. thesis candidates are required by the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences to submit a written and oral proposal of the intended research area approved by their graduate committee no later than the end of their second enrolled semester and submit a final written and oral presentation of the thesis work.
Master of Agriculture with Animal and Dairy Sciences Concentration - Non-Thesis
The Master of Agriculture degree is a non-thesis advanced degree designed to prepare graduates for careers or professional schools. A concentration is selected and students develop a program of study with approval by the student's graduate committee in accordance with Graduate School policy and course requirements for the concentration. Students are required to complete 30 hours of coursework as approved by the graduate committee. At least 12 hours of coursework must be at the 8000-level. Some Directed Individual Study courses, numbered at the 7000 level, may be approved to meet the 8000-level requirement. Not more than 6 hours of graduate credit may be earned in Direct Individual Study courses. The student must submit an approved program of study and committee request form no later than the end of their second enrolled semester. Students will also have to develop a comprehensive final report or creative component. This report will cover a current issue to be addressed, or an opportunity to be seized related to animal agriculture on a topic of their choice under the approval of the graduate advisory committee. The program is offered on the Starkville Campus and through the Center for Distance Education.
| Graduate Seminar | 1 | |
(ADS 8111 [repeatable] is suggested course.) | ||
| ADS 8441 | Journal Club: Evaluation of Current Published Work in Animal and Dairy Sciences | 1 |
| Statistics | 3 | |
| See graduate coordinator for a list of approved courses | ||
| Biochemistry | 3 | |
| Directed Individual Study | 3 | |
| Graduate-level coursework within the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences | 13 | |
| (ADS 6523, ADS 6553, ADS 6633, ADS 8133, ADS 8153, ADS 8162, ADS 8243, and ADS 8533 are suggested courses) | ||
| Graduate level coursework outside the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences | 6 | |
| See graduate coordinator for a list of approved courses | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Sciences with Animal and Dairy Science Concentration
The program of study is developed by the student and his/her major professor with approval by the student's graduate committee in accordance with Graduate School policy and must include core courses as specified below. In addition to the Graduate School requirements for a Ph.D.'s graduate committee, the department requires that at least two committee members be from the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. The student must submit an approved program of study and committee request form no later than the end of their second enrolled semester.
Completion of a Ph.D. requires substantial academic work in the field or program of interest beyond the bachelor's level and includes both formal coursework and research (dissertation credit hours). Mississippi State University requires doctoral students earn at least 54 hours of graduate credit beyond the bachelor's level, which includes a required 20 hours of dissertation credits. Of the 54 hours, at least 24 must be from GPA-graded graduate coursework with a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 8000 level or higher (excluding dissertation research credits), and at least 20 dissertation research credits. The remaining 10 hours can be earned with coursework credits, dissertation/research credits, or a combination of both. A student could be required to take additional hours, including dissertation credit hours, as well as permit previous graduate degree coursework in the field to contribute to that total. Program of study courses must be approved by the student's committee. A student may be required to take an ESL, LSK, or undergraduate course, but these courses or audited courses cannot be included on a program.
For the Ph.D. degree in Agriculture with a concentration Animal and Dairy Sciences, the student must have completed or will be required to complete in addition to the graduate coursework, 9 credit hours (4000 level or above) of animal/dairy sciences courses. These 9 credit hours must include at least one course in breeding, nutrition, or reproduction and at least one course in a species-specific production system. All students are expected to demonstrate a working knowledge of the Animal and Dairy Sciences field. Opportunities to meet this expectation include: audit additional animal sciences courses (below 4000 level), serve as a teaching assistant for Introduction to Animal Science, or attend departmental journal clubs. Students not holding a degree in Animal or Dairy Sciences (or related field) will be required to do at least one of the above, as directed by the major advisor.
Ph.D. candidates are required by the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences to submit a written and oral proposal of the intended research area approved by their graduate committee no later than the end of their second enrolled semester and submit a final written and oral presentation of the dissertation.
For a Ph.D. candidate, an oral and written preliminary/comprehensive examination will be administered by the student’s graduate committee in accordance with Graduate School policy prior to the submission or defense of dissertation research.
| Graduate Seminar | 3 | |
(ADS 8111, ADS 8121, or ADS 8131 are suggested courses.) | ||
| ADS 9000 | Research in Animal and Dairy Science | 20 |
| GPA-graded graduate coursework at least 12 hours at the 8000 level or higher 1 | 21 | |
| Electives 1 | 10 | |
(Can be graded coursework and/or dissertation credits) | ||
| Total Hours | 54 | |
- 1
Beyond the B.S. degree
ADS 6111 Swine Production and Management Laboratory: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite or Co-requisite: ADS 4113). Two hours laboratory. Operational and management practices for further understanding of and skills for modern swine production industry
ADS 6112 Equine Reproduction: 2 hours.
One hour lecture. Two hours laboratory. A study of equine reproductive activities and the principles for managing the mare,stallion and foal. (Same as PHY 6112)
ADS 6113 Swine Science: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. (Prerequisites: ADS 1113, ADS 1121 or ADS 1114 and ADS 4114/6114, ADS 4124/6124, and ADS 4613/6613/PHY 6613). Feeding, management, breeding, production, and marketing of swine
ADS 6114 Animal Nutrition: 4 hours.
(Prerequisites: CH 2503 and CH 2501 or CH 4513 and CH 4511). Four hours lecture. Nutrition of monogastric and ruminant species. Anatomy, physiology, disgestion, and absorption pertaining to monogastric and ruminants. Description, functions, sources, deficiency symptoms
ADS 6124 Animal Breeding: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: PO/BIO 3103 and ST/MA/BQA 2113). Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory. The basis for genetic improvement of livestock, including the study of variation, heritable characteristics, mating systems and methods of estimating breeding values
ADS 6211 Goat and Sheep Production Lab: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Goat and Sheep Production ADS 4223/6223). Two hours laboratory. Practical application of management strategies in goat and sheep production
ADS 6213 Feeds and Feeding: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ADS 4114/6114). Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory. Application of knowledge of feedstuffs and nutrient requirements in ration formulation for all classes of livestock
ADS 6223 Goat and Sheep Production: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ADS 1113, ADS 1121 or ADS 1114 and ADS 4114/6114, ADS 4124/6124, and ADS 4613/6613/PHY 6613). Three hours lecture. Management and marketing of goats and sheep in production enterprises
ADS 6231 Practices in Horse Care & Management: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite or Co-requisite: ADS 4233/6233). Two hours laboratory. Management practices for horses. The handling and care practices applied during various stages in a horse’s life
ADS 6233 Horse Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ADS 1113 and ADS 1121 or ADS 1114 and ADS 4114/6114, ADS 4124/6124 and ADS 4613/6613/PHY 6613). Three hours lecture. Breeding, feeding, management, and training of the horse
ADS 6243 Composition and Chemical Reactions of Foods: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in CH 1213, and CH 2503 or equivalent, and Junior or Senior Standing). Three hours lecture. Nature and chemical behavior of food constituents including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, water, enzymes and pigments; properties of food systems as related to commercial preparation. (Same as FNH 4243/6243)
ADS 6313 Advanced Science of Muscle Foods: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Junior standing or greater, ADS /FNH 3314, CH 1223 and/or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Exploration of the ultra-structure of muscle, (pre and post harvest), and the microbiology,inspection and safety, nutritional properties, and sensory characteristics of muscle. (Same as FNH 4313/6313)
ADS 6321 Beef Cattle Laboratory: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite or Co-requisite: ADS 4323/6323). Two hours laboratory. Management practices for beef cattle operations
ADS 6323 Beef Cattle Science: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ADS 1113, ADS 1121 or ADS 1114 and ADS 4114/6114, ADS 4124/6124, and ADS 4613/6613/PHY 6613). Three hours lecture. Breeding, feeding, management, and marketing of beef cattle
ADS 6333 Equine Exercise Physiology: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Evaluation of research in equine exercise science. Physical, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral and locomotive adaptations of the equine athlete to athletic training
ADS 6433 Advanced Beef Cattle Production: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ADS 4323 and ADS 4321.) Two hours lecture, two hours lab. Management, marketing, and utilization of beef animals with cow-calf and stocker cattle production in the U.S
ADS 6511 Companion Animal Management Laboratory: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite or Corequisite: ADS 4513/6513). Two hours laboratory. Management practices for companion animals. The selection, handling, and care techniques for various types of companion animals
ADS 6513 Companion Animal Management: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Focus on various aspects of companion animal management including breed selection, nutrition, reproduction, and marketing
ADS 6523 Internet-Based Management in Livestock Industries: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Junior, senior or graduate standing). Three hours lecture. Use of the internet in making management decisions in livestock industries, with emphasis on use in livestock production enterprises
ADS 6543 Applied Animal Biotechnology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Junior Standing or Instructor Approval). Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory. Exploring the use of livestock species as dual-purpose models to improve food animal production and to advance bio-medicine through biotechnology. Topics include functional genomics, transgenic livestock production, and nanotechnology
ADS 6553 Current Literature in Animal and Dairy Sciences: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Junior, Senior or graduate standing). Three hours lecture. Evaluation of current research in animal and dairy sciences and its application to production and management
ADS 6611 Practices in Physiology of Reproduction: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite or Co-Requisite: ADS 4613/6613/PHY 6613). Three hours laboratory. Artificial insemination and rectal palpation of reproductive organs of cattle; semen collection, evaluation, processing and handling. (Same as PHY 6611)
ADS 6613 Physiology of Reproduction: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: BIO 1134 or BIO 1144 and ADS 3013 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Anatomy and physiology; reproductive cycles; production, evaluation and preservation of gametes; gestation; endocrine regulation; managed reproduction. (Same as PHY 6613)
ADS 6623 Physiology of Lactation: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: BIO 1134 or BIO 1144 and ADS/VS 3014 or equivalent). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the mammary gland; nervous and hormonal control of lactation, theories of milk secretion, modern methods of milking, factors affecting lactation. (Same as PHY 6623)
ADS 6633 Immunology and Disease in Domestic Animals: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ADS 3013). Three hours lecture. This course will cover common diseases in domestic animals. Curriculum will include immunology, disease transfer, prevention methods, detection techniques, treatment options, and potential impacts on the animal, producer, and industry
ADS 6713 Human-Animal Bond/Shelter Management: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Overview of the social, physical and emotional benefits to humans through the human-animal bond with a closer look into the therapeutic roles of animals. Learn practical concepts for animal shelter management
ADS 6723 Animal Microbiome: 3 hours.
(ADS 4723 Prerequisite: Junior/Senior undergraduate and pre or co-requisite of BIO 3304 General Microbiology; ADS 6723: No prerequisite). Three hours lecture. This course introduces the microbial ecosystems in animals and how they interact with hosts to influence animal metabolism, immunity, and behavior
ADS 6772 Equine Training and Clinic Development: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). Four hours laboratory. Proper training and behavior modification practices to promote confidence in the riding and the training of horses. Importance is placed on the student’s development of teaching ability to conduct riding clinics
ADS 6811 Dairy Farm Management Laboratory: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite or Co-requisite: ADS 4813/6813 Dairy Farm Management). Three hours laboratory. Practical application of management strategies in dairy production enterprises
ADS 6813 Dairy Farm Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ADS 1113, ADS 1121 or ADS 1114 and ADS 4114/6114, ADS 4124/6124, and ADS 4613/6613/PHY 6613). Three hours lecture. Planning and integrating dairy farm operations; management principles applied to dairy herd operations
ADS 6814 Dairy Farm Management: 4 hours.
(Prerequisites: ADS 1114). Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Planning and integrating dairy farm operations; management principles applied to dairy herd operations
ADS 6823 Advanced Dairy Farm Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ADS 4814). Two hours lecture. Four hours lab. Advanced principle of dairy science as applied to the whole farm. Management of specific groups of cattle including nutrition, breeding, and milking management
ADS 6883 Contemporary Issues in Meat Processing and Consumption: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Basic and applied information on meat production and community engaged learning on contemporary issues of meat processing and consumption
ADS 6990 Special Topics in Animal and Dairy Sciences: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
ADS 7000 Directed Individual Study in Animal and Dairy Science: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
ADS 8004 Method Application and Data Analyses in Animal Sciences: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: ST 8114 or equivalent). Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory. Data analyses and experimental design principles used commonly in the field of animal science. Data management and practical applications using statistical software. Assessment of validity in differing methods of analysis
ADS 8013 Analytical Techniques for Biological Samples: 3 hours.
Sample handling and analytical techniques with an emphasis on chromatography and mass spectrometry of small biological compounds. CAMPUS-5 STUDENTS: To enroll in the online option, students need to secure access to an operable chromatography system
ADS 8111 Animal and Dairy Sciences Seminar: 1 hour.
Survey of current literature; preparation, organization, and presentation of papers on selected topics in animal and dairy sciences. (Course is repeatable and may be taken 6 times)
ADS 8133 Endocrine Secretions: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: BCH 4013/6013 or BCH 4603/6603 or ADS 8333 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Study of factors by which cells communicate: the traditional endocrine system, autocrine, paracrine and neurocrine secretion. Physiological and genetic control of synthesis and secretion. (Same as PHY 8133)
ADS 8153 Ruminant Nutrition: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ADS 4114/6114 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. In-depth treatment of rumen function and recent concepts in ruminant nutrition
ADS 8162 Monogastric Nutrition: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: ADS 4114/6114 or equivalent). Two hours lecture. Monogastric nutritional relationships with special emphasis on swine nutrition. Metabolic functions, dietary requirements, deficiency symptoms and distribution of nutrients in feedstuffs
ADS 8233 Advanced Breeding: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ADS 4123/6123 or PO 4303/6303, ST 8114). Three hours lecture. Describing, measuring and partitioning phenotypic variances and covariances. Estimating parameters, predicting response, systems of breeding, and methods of selection
ADS 8243 Advanced Physiology of Reproduction: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ADS 4613/6613 or its equivalent). Three hours lecture. An advanced study of the reproductive process with emphasis on reproductive endocrinology and the physiology of fertility. (Same as PHY 8243.)
ADS 8333 Nutritional Biochemistry of Livestock Species: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. The biochemical aspects of post-absorptive nutrient utilization, intermediary metabolism, and tissue-level accretion in livestock species will be discussed. Particular emphasis will be placed on the contribution of nutrients to the metabolic disposition of economically important tissues including muscle and adipose
ADS 8423 Meat Science: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Basic study of the value of meat and how this information is applied to the evaluation, processing and preservation of meat, meat products and meat by-products. (Same as FNH 8423)
ADS 8441 Journal Club: Evaluation of Current Published Work in Animal and Dairy Sciences: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. Publication process, critical evaluation of scientific writing and published works in animal and dairy sciences, assessment of quality and proper presentation of results, and support of conclusions presented
ADS 8463 Advanced Animal Nutrition: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ADS 4114/6114 or prior approval from instructor). Three hours lecture. Develop an understanding of nutritional physiology, metabolism, and utilization of nutrients by animal species
ADS 8473 Micro-Nutrient Nutrition: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture.Detailed study of functions, deficiency, symptoms, dietary considerations necessary to the nutrition of fish,dogs,cats,horses, mink,rabbits, and laboratory animals
ADS 8533 Beef Cattle Production Systems Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ADS 4323/6323 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Systems management approaches to profitable and sustainable beef cattle production including cow-calf, stocker, and feedlot industry segments
ADS 8633 Homeostatic Regulation and Physiological Stress: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PHY 6514 and PHY 8131, 8133 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. An integration of the physiological mechanisms involved in the control of homeostasis in mammals is emphasized with discussion of the effect of specific stressors on these mechanisms. (Same as PHY 8633.)
ADS 8973 Scientific Writing: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. The course provides advanced training in research proposal, grant proposal,and manuscript writing. (Same as FO 8973 and CVM 8973)
ADS 8990 Special Topics in Animal and Dairy Sciences: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
ADS 9000 Research in Animal and Dairy Science: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged