The Department of Animal Science offers graduate study emphasizing animal breeding and genetics, meat and poultry products, non-ruminant and ruminant nutrition, and physiology. Analytical laboratories and animal facilities are available for graduate research.
Description
The department's contemporary facilities enhance basic and applied research capabilities for an intensive large animal, poultry, and laboratory animal work. An extensive, federally inspected meat laboratory is available for meat and poultry research. In addition, the department maintains facilities 40 minutes away from Lincoln for research in all disciplines of beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and swine. Graduate programs conduct collaborative research at four university district research and extension centers and the USDA Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska.
Specializations
- Animal Breeding and Genetics
- Animal Health, Welfare, and Precision Management
- Extension and Education
- Meat Science and Muscle Biology
- Nonruminant Nutrition
- Physiology
- Ruminant Nutrition
Program-Related Information
Graduate Chair
Jim MacDonald
402-472-6780
jmacdonald2@unl.edu
Support Staff
Heather Wilson
402-472-2050
heather.wilson@unl.edu
Program Website
https://animalscience.unl.edu/graduate-programs
Applying for Admission
Standard requirements for all graduate programs
- Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.
If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.
After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.
- If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.
When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.
- If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
- Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.
Additional requirements specific to this program
- Personal Statement: Your statement should include the following: 1) Overview of background/experiences; 2) Reasons for pursuing graduate study including personal and/or career ambitions; 3) Proposed major advisor(s) and reason(s) for interests in their program(s).
- Research Interest and Faculty: Indicate up to 3 faculty members you may be interested in working with. Acceptance by a major advisor is required for admission.
- Three recommendation letters
- Acceptance into the graduate program requires the identification of a major advisor. It is recommended that you reach out to faculty with active research programs (https://animalscience.unl.edu/research) prior to applying to the program to determine space availability.
- GRE (optional)
- Animal Health, Welfare, and Precision Management: CV/resume also required
Admission Application Deadlines
Rolling review process. Recommended: Apply by March 15 for Fall admission or by October 15 for Spring admission.
Requirements
Hours required: 30
Options for the Master's Degree