MS in Animal Sciences
Degree Requirements
You and your committee develop a program of study cooperatively. An official form must accompany any changes in a program. A satisfactory scholastic standard must be maintained. All courses taken for graduate credit must have a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher. If the GPA falls below 3.0 cumulative, you will be place on academic probation. There will be no waiver of fees during this probationary period. You must regain a 3.0 level at the end of the following semester or become subject to dismissal. This GPA must be maintained exclusive of problems, research and department seminars.
Graduate students taking 7000 level courses should expect course requirements beyond those of undergraduate students in order to warrant receiving graduate credit for those courses. The Division of Animal Sciences allows no more than two 7000 level Animal Science courses in a graduate program.
Seminars
Two credit hours in seminar are required for the Master of Science degree. To meet the seminar requirement courses must require presentations of technical information. Seminars provide an opportunity to develop skills in presenting technical information to a group of peers and permit you to become acquainted with specialists in the area of animal and biological sciences.
Responsible Conduct of Research
M.S. students are encouraged to take a course in “Responsible Conduct of Research”. This requirement can be met by taking either:
| BIOCHM/BIO_SC 8060 | Ethical Conduct of Research | 1 |
| V_PBIO 8641 | Introduction to Research Ethics | 1 |
| Other Responsible Conduct of Research course approved by the Director of Graduate Studies | 1 | |
Teaching Expectations
To fulfill the requirement for teaching, all graduate students are required to assist with teaching for two semesters. Students are encouraged to volunteer to assist with additional courses.
Sample Plan of Study
Because students in the M.S. program are from a wide variety of circumstances, and pursue the M.S. at all different paces, a sample plan of study is not easily produced. Students are encouraged to work out their plan of study with their advisor.
Thesis Requirements
A thesis is comprised of original research findings from the MS program. This typically takes the form of a literature review followed by one or more data chapters. The thesis defense seminar will be presented by the student for division faculty, staff, students, committee members, and other interested persons. It must summarize the thesis research conducted by the student during the MS program. It also provides the committee members an opportunity to evaluate the work completed by the student.
| Course Work | 24 (minimum) | |
(15 hours must be at 8000-level) | ||
| 8090 research | 6 (minimum) | |
| Seminars | 2 (minimum) | |
| Approved Thesis | ||
| Total Minimum Hours | 30 | |
Admissions
Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum qualifications for admission: the requirements of the MS in Animal Science program and the minimum requirements of the Graduate School. Because requirements vary, you must refer to a degree program's graduate admission page to learn about specific admission criteria, application deadlines, eligibility and application process. Your application materials will be reviewed by both the Graduate School and the degree program to which you've applied before official admission to the University of Missouri.
Admission Contact Information:
Becki Schnell
920 E. Campus Drive
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-8336
https://animalsciences.missouri.edu/graduate/